Withered Hand

Early life Willson was raised as a Jehovah's Witness in Scotland Willson was worried throughout his childhood that his voice was too high so he didn't begin singing until his late twenties, and he originally wanted to be a visual artist. He has been based in Edinburgh since 1996.

Musical career Willson studied at Art College in London and moved to Edinburgh with his then-girlfriend, now-wife, in 1996. Shortly thereafter, he tried his hand at being a visual artist, but eventually abandoned his work in the field. He attributed 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 began his solo musical career at age 30, after a close friend died and Willson's wife bought him a guitar for his 30th birthday. The first song he ever wrote as Withered Hand was "Cornflake". He has toured with the likes of James Yorkston, Frightened Rabbit (as well as Scott Hutchison), Rozi Plain, King Creosote and Samantha Crain.

Willson provided backing vocals on Hamish Hawk's 2021 album Heavy Elevator, and appears in the video for the single "The Mauritian Badminton Doubles Champion, 1973".

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.

In January 2024 it was announced that Willson and Kathryn Williams will release a collaborative album in April on the One Little Independent label. The album was recorded and produced by Rod Jones and features contributions from fellow musicians including King Creosote, Kris Drever, Chris Geddes and Louis Abbott. The first single, "Shelf", was released with a video made by Marry Waterson.

Reception Marc Riley has named Withered Hand as one of his favourite artists, and has had him perform sessions on his show, BBC Radio 6 Music. Robert Christgau has also written favourable reviews of both his albums, naming Good News the 14th best album of 2011 and New Gods the third best album of 2014.

Discography Albums Good News (2009) New Gods (2014) How To Love (2023) Willson Williams, collaboration with Kathryn Williams (2024)

EPs Religious Songs (2008) You're Not Alone (2009) Heart Heart (2012) Inbetweens (2012) Among Horses I (2017) Ten Years (2019, reworkings of tracks from Good News for its tenth anniversary) My Days (2023, digital-only release of extra tracks recorded during the How To Love album sessions)

Live Could Ya Do The Woo Woos? (2020, recording of a 2017 Newcastle gig)

Singles "King of Hollywood" (2013, split single with "Next to Nothing Blues" by Charles Latham) "Horseshoe" (2014, gold vinyl limited to 500)