BIRMINGHAM: Kitchen Garden Cafe

Wednesday 22nd November, 2023

7:30pm

Event information

Dan Willson (AKA Withered Hand) is a beautifully original songwriter whose work takes in grief, love, and elation. The music of Withered Hand sparks a heartbreaking response in his devoted audience.

Similarly revered are the compositions of Darren Hayman, both in his solo work and with cult band Hefner. Darren effortlessly weaves sorrow, pain and humour through his 20 albums.

Dan and Darren are also best friends, meeting in 2010 and Darren producing a mini album for Dan. After many years of sporadic shows together they found themselves sharing a cabin in a Norwegian Fjord together earlier this year.

Dan and Darren laugh easily together and wanted to share their best work and friendship with you on stage. Expect two headlines sets alternating each night and some songs and chat together too.

WITHERED HAND
Edinburgh based cult-indie songwriter Withered Hand (Dan Willson) is back with his first new album in 9 years. “How To Love” was recorded with (Mogwai producer) Tony Doogan in Glasgow, the new record features guests King Creosote and Kathryn Williams (both of whom are long standing collaborators).

Withered Hand broke out of Scotland’s Fence Collective music scene in 2009 releasing his acclaimed debut album “Good News” the same year. Willson toured Europe and North America before releasing a series of lo-fi EPs and his second album “New Gods” (FortunaPop!/Slumberland Records) which was nominated for the Scottish Album of the Year 2014 and shortlisted for an AIM Award.

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

DARREN HAYMAN
Darren is among Britain’s most prolific and idiosyncratic songwriters, and has been producing innovative and heartbreaking music for over 25 years.

He initially rose to prominence with the folk/indie group Hefner. They achieved cult fame in part due to the patronage of John Peel, for whom they recorded countless sessions. Hefner released four albums between 1998 to 2001.

Darren is now better known for an impressive and broad range of solo albums. He has made conceptual albums about William Morris; the English Civil War; the East Anglian witch trials; lidos, and British holiday resorts.

His three-album project Thankful Villages, about rural life, won an award from the Association of Independent Music, and a British Arts Council grant.

The main theme of his music remains the heart, however. On stage Darren is an engaging, friendly and thought-provoking performer. His latest record, You Will Not Die, is available on Fika Recordings.