About

Edinburgh based cult-indie songwriter Withered Hand (Dan Willson) emerged from Scotland’s Fence Collective music scene in 2009, releasing his acclaimed debut album “Good News” the same year.

Touring the UK, Europe and North America, as part of the grass-roots DIY scene, Dan released a series of lo-fi EPs, quietly amassing a cult following for his songwriting before returning to the studio with his band for a second album “New Gods” (FortunaPop!/Slumberland Records) which was nominated for both Scottish Album of the Year 2014 (SAY Awards) and a UK AIM Independent Music Award.

A long-awaited third Withered Hand album “How To Love” was released on Reveal Records in 2023 to widespread critical acclaim and ecstatic live shows; heralding the return to prominence of a singular songwriting voice.

In 2024, Dan’s friendship and creative partnership with Mercury-Prize nominated English singer-songwriter Kathryn Williams yielded a collaborative album, ‘Willson Williams’, featuring a suite of co-written songs supported by an array of Scottish-based musical talent. ‘Willson Williams” was released in April 2024 on One Little Independent Records, entering the UK Official Folk Charts Top Ten and was subsequently shortlisted for the 2024 Scottish Album of the Year Award, winning the public vote.

Dan is currently working on a fourth Withered Hand LP.

Dan’s music has found favour and support from national and international radio, online and leading print publications.