With comparisons to Woody Guthrie, Nick Drake and Damien Rice, it's no wonder Dan Mangan's considered a rising star, writes VAUGHAN MAYBERRY.

Musicians usually hate the inevitable comparisons they cop from fans and pundits as they make a name for themselves in world music.

Many spend a lifetime attempting to create characteristics unbeknown to the many who have passed before them.

Canadian folk-pop artist Dan Mangan has drawn likenesses to American folk icon Woody Guthrie and the brooding English singer songwriter Nick Drake.

But Dan is a little different to many of his current contemporaries by accepting this is part of becoming a popular artist.

"It’s going to happen no matter what so I’ve grown accustomed to it," he says.

"I’d love to be compared with Woody Guthrie any day of the week.

"That’s part of how the press works, they are going to compare you to certain artists because it’s easier for them to link them with people you know of. But I’ve been very, very fortunate so far to be compared some musicians I admire."

You also can add a few more dimensions to the 24-year-old Vancouver resident as he owns the soulful undertones of Irish folk star Damien Rice topped with the gravelly tonsils of Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder.

All in all, he’s been likened to a pretty impressive list of modern and past stars.

On top of collecting a bunch of quality comparisons, Dan is known for his mellow, symphonic folk-pop sound but more particularly his reflective lyrical abilities.

And he unashamedly admits his preference for focusing on the words rather than the sound.

In the past he has collaborated with spoken word artist Shane Koyczan, performed alongside acclaimed storyteller Ivan Coyote and Canadian hype machines Patrick Watson, The Acorn and DJ Champion.

"More and more bands these days are relying too much on their sound," he says.

"I’ve always had a huge appreciation for those with the gift of words whether its poets, authors or musicians. At the end of the day you want to be remembered for something and for me it’s my lyrics."

This attitude has helped him become a popular feature on the world folk music circuit. Along with trips to the USA, Europe and regular jaunts around his Canadian homeland, he’s visited Australia twice – all the in the space of the past six months.

The first trip was last October’s The Big Sound festival in Brisbane. His performance there plus the re-release of his impressive 2005 debut album Postcards and Daydreaming in Australia (and the US) in November resulted in a spot at last week’s prestigious Byron Bay Blues Festival bill.

It also has led to a number of extra shows around Australia including his first trip to Cairns this Friday night for a gig at Tanks Arts Centre.

And it seems it won’t be his last time to Australia either. "I think there is a big appreciation of acoustic folk music in Australia," he says.

"Australia has really become an important base for me and a place I think I’ll be coming back to regularly."

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