Blowin' Indie Wind Nad Navillus--The Mask of Dan Sullivan

Author: Erika Mercer

Imagine a modern-day bard -- a contemporary version of the shy, wayfaring musician who once traversed long distances, singing tales and stopping only now and then for food and bed in an unfamiliar village.
Unlike days past, the modern bard would no longer carry his possessions in a small sack slung across his back, and he would most likely not spend his whole life wandering, finding solace beneath a tall trees to play his quiet, gentle songs.
And yet, in the present day such vagrant souls do still exist, only now, their long, lazy peregrinations -- condensed and expedited by modern transportation and communication -- are contained within their songs.
Their ballads express the timeless sense of wandering, sometimes contentedly, other times longingly.
With their guitar as their sole friend and their solitude as their sole comfort, the contemporary bard still encompasses the emotions of old.
Nad Navillus, following in the footsteps of musicians such as folk-singer Nick Drake and guitarist John Fahey, epitomizes the modern bard with his gentle finger-picked guitar melodies, lulling vocals and narrative lyrics.
And, like the quiet wandering musician, Nad Navillus preserves an aura of privacy and mystery: Nad Navillus is merely the name which masks the true artist behind the music, Dan Sullivan.
By cleverly inverting his name, Sullivan created the pseudonym that has recently appeared atop indie charts nationwide.
Sullivan, a graduate of Macalester College in St. Paul, Minn., first gained recognition as the guitarist for the band, "Songs: Ohio," in the mid-1990s.
It was not until 1999 that he released his first album under the name Nad Navillus, a self-titled full-length CD. This album fared well in the Midwest underground music scene, but Sullivan's true success came in late 2001 with the release of his second album, "Show Your Face."
Sullivan appealed to critics and fans with his minimalist acoustic style, reminiscent of seventies folk singers, yet unique in its experimental daringness.
In Nov. 2002, Sullivan released his third and most recent album, "Iron Night," on the Jagjaguwar label.
Subtle, soothing and expressive, "Iron Night," signifies another step forward for Sullivan -- another distance journeyed.
The album benefits from additional instrumentation -- Sullivan ventured to include a full band and complete strings section -- while retaining the acoustic feel of his previous work and without losing the emphasis on Sullivan's thin, sensitive tenor.
In fact, the vocals on "Iron Night" remain front and center. Sullivan's croon echoes far above the stark drums and humming violins.
At the same time, this faint but full instrumentation creates layers of sound and emotion which keep the music constantly fresh and exciting -- each listen promises deeper insight into the Sullivan's elusive soul.
Nad Navillus spins intriguing tales, "lyrically flirting with both the spiritual and the macabre," as one critic wrote.
And it's true: "Iron Night" does not shy away from dark or even morbid themes, such as for example a family funeral on the album's second song, "Last Respects."
However, other songs on the album are less gloomy and more contemplative.
Yet even when his songs take on a lighter tone, Sullivan is never completely relaxed. His music consistently holds back, both musically and emotionally.
His guitar playing is reserved and tight, his voice taut and detached. Sullivan commented on this noticeable reticence in an interview, saying "I think there's a time and a place for jamming out and indulging yourself musically. That isn't necessary on a record."
"Iron Night" both suffers and profits from Sullivan's reluctance to indulge himself: on the one hand, the album remains forever aloof and frustratingly rigid, while on the other hand, it invites close listening and promises a reward for seeing past its exterior--for discovering the man behind the mask.
Sullivan plans to release his fourth album as Nad Navillus in the spring of 2004. He will be on tour in the Chicago area during this upcoming spring.