New Music From Withered Hand

Over the past few years Withered Hand – aka Edinburgh DIY folk-rock troubadour Dan Willson – has released an outstanding debut album, Good News, two further mercurial EPs, toured the world, and won fans including Jarvis Cocker, Robert Christgau, and Rolling Stone Magazine. Active in the world of visual art and dabbling in music for many years, Dan Willson came late to singing and songwriting at age 30, in a period of reflection between the death of a close friend and the birth of his first child. The resultant material, much of which went on to become the album Good News, has been rightly praised for its depth and startling honesty. BBC took notice and invited Withered Hand to record several live studio sessions and Rough Trade Publishing courted Willson in being a part of their roster.

For the newest Withered Hand album, Willson reached out to his rich, Scottish music community. New Gods was recorded with producer Tony Doogan (Belle & Sebastian/David Byrne/Snow Patrol) and features contributions by members of the Vaselines, Belle & Sebastian, Frightened Rabbit, & King Creosote. The impressive cast of musical luminaries embellish Willson‘s compositions to create a distinct spirit throughout New Gods, one that is timeless and resilient. For single “Black Tambourine”, Willson tapped London transplant Pam Berry of seminal 90’s US indie-pop band Black Tambourine to add guest vocals. The track is a jangly number thats buoyant rhythm is cleverly coupled with Willson’s reflective, sardonic lyrics, “When you tell me you’re lonely, isn’t everyone lonely”. The lyrics paint vivid stories of a professional musician staying true to his singular artistic vision while balancing these demands with responsibility for a young family.

CDs of New Gods are landing with Triple A radio this week.

“Killer melodies … wobbly folk grooves … tunes full of warm, woozy sing-song charm” – Rolling Stone

“Heard a Withered Hand track in the caff;; then saw a boy in a WH T-shirt. Is Dan Willson taking over the world?” – Stuart Murdoch (Belle & Sebastian)

RIYL: Billy Childish, Belle & Sebastian, Neil Young, The Pastels, Bruce Springsteen

Recommended Tracks: #1 “Horseshoe”, #2 “Black Tambourine”, #6 “Fall Apart”

FCC Warning on Track #4 “King of Hollywood”

Going For Triple A Adds March 17 & 18

Label: Slumberland