Withered Hand is the pseudonym of Edinburgh-based singer-songwriter Dan Willson. Since the release of his debut album Good News in 2009, Dan has become a celebrated figure in the Scottish music scene and further afield. A well-travelled touring singer-songwriter, he has quietly amassed a devoted cult fanbase while staying true to a singular artistic vision.
A strident second album New Gods in 2014 propelled Withered Hand into the charts, featuring appearances by friends, luminaries and supporters from the Scottish music scene, from Belle & Sebastian to Frightened Rabbit to The Vaselines and beyond. A long-awaited third Withered Hand album, How To Love, was released in 2023, again to widespread critical acclaim.
Dan’s subsequent collaboration with Mercury Prize nominated English singer-songwriter Kathryn Williams resulted in last year’s album Willson Williams – shortlisted for both Scottish Album of the Year and UK Americana Album of the Year 2024.
Dan is currently working on a 4th Withered Hand LP with his friend and mentor King Creosote, due for release in late 2025.
Dan has been guest tutor on Songwriting Workshops at Moniack Mhor – Scotland’s Centre of Creative Writing, Arvon Writing Foundation at Totleigh Barton and Arvon Lumb Bank and is an advocate of the power of music and creativity in recovery, healing and growth.
“Beautifully constructed lyrical frameworks … Caledonian gospel” (MOJO).
“Killer melodies … wobbly folk grooves … tunes full of warm, woozy sing-song charm” (Artist to Watch- Rolling Stone USA).
“One of the greatest Alt-folkies” (The Scotsman).
“As life-affirming as music gets” (The Herald).
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