Withered Hand are a product of the ‘anti-folk’ scene, headed by Dan Willson who either plays live with other members or solo whilst on tour, they are slowly beginning to make their mark on both sides of the pond with their whimsical lyrics and folk style.
Although Edinburgh based, Willson is heavily influenced by the anti-folk styles of artists like Jeffrey Lewis, and it is this inspiration that has drove him from tremendously shy to an incredibly engaging performer. Though his lyrics are unremittingly self-deprecating, there is an endearing humour to his songs that resonate throughout all three EP’s he and his band have produced.
Recently they have signed with American Indie label, Absolutely Kosher Records who will be releasing their latest EP ‘Good News’ over in the states sometime this month. This record cements the genius of Willson’s writing talents with, for example Religious Songs, which sums up the nature of his music with one single line – “How can he be happy when he listens to Death Metal bands?”
As he is himself the subject for many of the songs, it gives an insight into his almost ironic way he sees himself but a thoroughly enjoyable journey all the same, from ‘forgetting the words to religious songs’ to ‘getting drunk on tonic wine’.
This year is already a busy year for the band as they are already on the road, firstly travelling North into the Highlands before heading down into the rest of the UK during February and March and with many sell out dates already under Dan Willson’s belt during last year’s solo tour of the UK it is clear that the world would not be a better place without him as he suggests in his song – For the Maudlin but the start of something unconventional and superbly unique.
Website : EP available to listen to here on this link….. http://witheredhand.com/?page_id=86
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List of dates :
JANUARY/FEB – SCOTLAND AND THE NORTH OF ENGLAND TOUR, a solo
W/H double header with WOODPIGEON!
16 Jan MUSA CHURCH Aberdeen, UK
Tickets on door 8pm (£6) info here
21 Jan OLD BRIDGE INN Aviemore, UK
22 Jan THE STAR INN Stornoway, UK
23 Jan HOOTENANNY Inverness, UK
25 Jan STEREO Glasgow, UK
(*BAND SHOW)
Tickets and info here
26 Jan CLUNY 2 Newcastle, UK
Tickets and info here
27 Jan WESTGARTH SC Middlesbrough, UK
Tickets and info here
28 Jan ALINGTON HOUSE, Durham, UK
Info can be found here
04 Feb TOLBOOTH Stirling, UK
(*BAND SHOW)
FEBRUARY HEADLINE SHOWS
09 Feb CATCH, Shoreditch, London, UK
Tickets and info here (*BAND SHOW)
10 Feb HEAR NO EVIL, Bristol, UK
(*BAND SHOW)
15th Feb solo show @ BLOC, Glasgow
3 dates for W/H BAND support KING CREOSOTE AND THE EARLIES (below)
24 Feb CONTINENTAL, Preston UK
Tickets and info here
25 Feb BAND ON THE WALL, Manchester, UK
Tickets and info here
26 Feb THE GRAND, Clitheroe, UK
Tickets and info here
5 March LIMBO SXSW FUNDRAISER, Edinburgh, UK
March – USA solo dates
12 March LITTLEFIELD, Brooklyn, NYC, USA
