https://soundcloud.com/
http://youtu.be/LkNp50tEVcw
“He records like Billy Childish and mixes like the Blue Nile” – Darren Hayman (Hefner)
“The UK’s best lyricist” – King Creosote
Slumberland Records (US/Canada) and Fortuna POP! (UK/Europe) are proud to announce the new album by the Edinburgh based folk-rock troubadour Dan Willson who records as WITHERED HAND. New Gods is his stunning second album, which follows his critically acclaimed debut Good News, and is scheduled for release next March and was part-funded by Creative Scotland. The debut single, “Black Tambourine” premiered today on Pitchfork, and features guest vocals from Pam Berry of the band Black Tambourine and guest guitar work from Eugene Kelly of The Vaselines.
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 praised for its depth and startling honesty.
Withered Hand has been embraced by Fife-based musical powerhouse the Fence Collective (whose sovereign King Creosote guests on the new album), seen his songs picked up on MTV and cult series Skins, and gained a legion of fans including Jarvis Cocker and Rolling Stone Magazine USA (who decreed him “Artist to Watch”).
A prolific live performer, recent Withered Hand shows have included collaborations with Pam Berry of seminal 90’s US noisepop band Black Tambourine and a rotating cast of musical friends embellishing Dan’s exuberant and original songwriting alongside fragile and uplifting solo performances.
The long-awaited second album (produced by Tony Doogan – Mountain Goats/Belle & Sebastian, etc.) also features guest appearances from the likes of Pam Berry, Eugene Kelly of The Vaselines and members of Belle & Sebastian and Frightened Rabbit.
The five years since Good News was recorded has seen Willson honing his songcraft, building his audience and gaining critical momentum. The new album is a beautifully executed collection of songs from one of Scotland’s most gifted songwriters.
“Killer melodies … wobbly folk grooves … tunes full of warm, woozy sing-song charm” – Artist to Watch – Rolling Stone
“Beautifully constructed lyrical frameworks … on this banjo-tinged brand of Caledonian gospel” – MOJO
