Croatian guitarist and songwriter Josip Susic returns with a new original instrumental that brings together his passion for guitar, songwriting, and some of his biggest musical influences.
Released in July 2023, “Sun’s Out For You” is a guitar-centered instrumental featuring acoustic and electric guitars, melodic arrangements, and a strong final guitar solo.
The accompanying music video was filmed at the beautiful Krka National Park in Croatia, creating a natural setting for a song built around positive energy, melody, and movement.
Dire Straits Blog readers may already know Josip Susic from his previous guitar covers of Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits songs.
We previously featured his acoustic version of “Going Home” and his acoustic and electric arrangement of “Your Latest Trick.” Josip has also shared his interpretation of the final solo from “Tunnel of Love.”
This time, however, he returns with something different. Instead of covering another classic, Josip presents his own original composition, “Sun’s Out For You.” The track was released on July 7, 2023, while the official music video followed shortly afterwards.
A Positive Instrumental With a Retro Feel
According to Josip, the idea behind the song was to create a positive instrumental that reflects a simple day in life.
“It is a guitar-centered instrumental, and it is in essence just a positive tune representing a day in life.”
The arrangement places melody and harmony at the center of the composition.
The song begins with gentle acoustic guitars before gradually introducing a stronger electric guitar rhythm. As the arrangement develops, the music becomes more energetic and eventually leads into a powerful guitar solo.
Josip describes the track as having a slightly retro vibe, giving the composition a classic guitar-driven character while keeping the production modern.
Mark Knopfler, Jimmy Page and Tommy Emmanuel as Influences
Josip’s musical influences can be heard throughout his approach to guitar. Among the artists who have inspired him are Mark Knopfler, Jimmy Page, and Tommy Emmanuel.
Each musician has a very different style, but Josip uses elements of their musical ideas as inspiration rather than attempting to copy them.
He explained:
“I never tried to copy anyone, but inevitably years of listening and practicing sneak into your fingers somehow.”
For Josip, studying great musicians is part of developing an individual voice.
“It’s how you get better, you take something good, mix it up, and add a bit of your own. And eventually, something completely new comes out.”
That philosophy is particularly important on “Sun’s Out For You,” where the influences are present without defining the entire composition.
A Small Homage to Mark Knopfler
Fans with a sharp ear may notice a special detail near the end of the song. Josip revealed that the final section contains a small homage to Mark Knopfler.
He deliberately included a familiar guitar pattern and interval often associated with Knopfler’s songwriting, particularly during his solo career.
“The very end of the song is a small homage to Mark Knopfler.”
It is a subtle detail, but one that Dire Straits fans may enjoy discovering while listening to the track.
Filmed at Krka National Park in Croatia
The music video adds another dimension to the song. Josip filmed the video at Krka National Park, one of Croatia’s most beautiful natural locations.
The landscape provides a striking visual background for an instrumental composition focused on atmosphere, melody, and positive energy.
Josip also thanked the national park for allowing the production to take place at the location. For listeners discovering his music from outside Croatia, the video offers an opportunity to experience both the song and one of the country’s most impressive natural settings.
“Sun’s Out For You” is also an impressive example of Josip’s versatility as a musician.
He wrote, produced, arranged, programmed, and played all the instruments on the track. The song was mixed and mastered at Shishmish Studio in Velika Gorica, near Zagreb.
The result is a completely self-driven musical project that gives Josip full creative control over the composition and production.
Listen to “Sun’s Out For You”
“Sun’s Out For You” represents another important step in Josip Susic’s musical journey. After years of creating Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits covers, he has taken the next step by developing his own instrumental music and combining the influences that shaped him as a guitarist.
For fans of Mark Knopfler, Dire Straits, Jimmy Page, Tommy Emmanuel, and guitar-driven instrumental music, this is an interesting opportunity to discover Josip’s own musical voice.
Watch the official video below and enjoy “Sun’s Out For You.”
“Sun’s Out For You” is also available on Spotify and other major streaming platforms, while listeners who want to support Josip’s future releases can discover his music through Bandcamp.
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