The Leeds Gig Guide

Band Biography for Dan Wilde:

Dan Wilde is a singer-songwriter from Blackpool (UK) that is renowned for his touchingly intimate and equally impressive live performances.

His distinctive voice and finger-picking guitar style has taken him across the UK and USA playing to a multitude of people, all the while never forgetting his roots. Wilde is currently in full swing promoting his debut album ‘This is The Place’ an exploration of distinctly English folk-pop but finds time to chat with us about growing up in the North, his influences and what we can expect from him in 2011

This Is The Place is the debut album from Blackpool-based singer-songwriter Dan Wilde and it's a pretty impressive place to start.

The opener, Nearest I Have To A Home', marries a memorable tune to a fine lyrics, which is the definition of a good song, and it's followed by Broke My Heart Alright' featuring an exuberant fiddle somewhat at odds with the sentiment of the song. Nevertheless, it works. These two tracks feature a full band and give Dan's voice an opportunity to soar. Elsewhere there is just voice and guitar or combinations of instruments including banjo, mandolin and ukelele.

Lyrically, the album explores themes of loss and confusion and can sometimes seem naive to the world weary ear. Others would call it honest. The arrangements, by a small cast of supporting musicians, are excellent and Dan's voice is strong and full of character - there is even a hint of the young Paul Simon about him. Listen to 'Be Gone' and you'll hear it. Dan Wilde is a name we'll be hearing a lot more of.

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