Withered Hand – in session for Marc Riley – BBC 6 Music – April 20, 2023 – BBC 6 Music –
Withered Hand to start the new week. Recorded in session for staunch fan Marc Riley at BBC 6 Music on April 20th of this year.
Withered Hand is the alter-ego of Dan Willson and the well regarded and highly respected Indie Artist who has just released his 3rd album (his second in 9 years) to much enthusiasm and anticipation.
Willson began his solo musical career at age 30, after one of his close friends died and his wife bought him a guitar for his 30th birthday. Willson studied at Art College in London, and moved to Edinburgh with his then-girlfriend, to whom he is now married, in 1996. Shortly thereafter, Willson tried his hand at being a visual artist, but eventually abandoned his work in the field. He attributes this in part to his “lack of success in expressing myself visually.” He was guitarist in Edinburgh band Barrichello, which he joined in 1999. This band broke up amicably in 2002. His second band was known as Squits, and later became a short-lived art rock group named Peanut. He was also a member of the short lived anti-folk group The Love Gestures alongside Cammy Watt of Enfant Bastard and Neil Pennycook of Meursault.
Willson’s most recent band consists of, in addition to him, Malcolm Benzie of Edinburgh band eagleowl (guitar & mandolin), Fraser Hughes (bass) and Alun Thomas of The Leg (drums). They are also occasionally joined by Pam Berry of 90s US band Black Tambourine and various former members of the Second Hand Marching Band. Previous members include Hannah Shepherd (cello) and Neil Pennycook of Meursault (banjo).
In February 2023 Willson released “Waking Up”, a single and music video from his first new album in nine years, How to Love. The album was released in April on Reveal Records, supported by a full-band UK tour.
Press play and hear all about it.
