Dan Wilde

Dan Wilde

Dan Wilde is a singer-songwriter and director from Kingston upon Thames, born in 1977. He is associated with Blackpool in the UK and is known for intimate live performances, a distinctive voice and finger-picking guitar style. His work takes him across the UK and the USA, and he keeps a clear connection to his background in the north of England.

Debut album

His debut album, This is The Place, presents English folk-pop material. It opens with “Nearest I Have To A Home,” a song built around a memorable melody and strong lyrics, and includes “Broke My Heart Alright,” which uses an exuberant fiddle against the mood of the lyric. The record features a full band on those tracks, giving his voice more space, while other songs use voice and guitar or arrangements that include banjo, mandolin and ukulele.

Writing and style

The album’s songs focus on loss and confusion, and the writing balances directness with a sometimes naive perspective. The arrangements are shaped by a small group of supporting musicians, and his voice is described as strong and full of character. “Be Gone” is noted for a vocal quality that recalls the young Paul Simon.