Daniel J Townsend is a widely respected folk story-singer and inimitable poet, renowned for being the first artist in the world to release an album as a podcast.
His latest offering is The Eye Begins to See, an exquisite and moving song cycle about grief and renewal, produced by Luke Plumb (The Maes, Ruth Hazleton, Isabel Rumble).
The songs appear on the record in the same order they were written; you can hear Townsend journeying from chaos and confusion to acceptance and calm. The result is transcendent.
“Back then, I could not have imagined sharing this stuff with anyone,” he says. “Now, I can see how these songs really capture how it feels to navigate grief. It’s deeply personal, but it’s also universal; it’s a path you walk alone, just like everyone.”
The record features a range of distinguished guests including pianist Dave McNamara, drummer James MacKintosh (Shooglenifty), cellist Martin Penicka (TSO), double bassist Holly Downes (The String Contingent) and award-winning songwriter Christopher Coleman on electric guitar.
The Eye Begins to See was crowdfunded in 2022-23. Generous fans were rewarded with hand-written letters, songwriting sessions and house concerts.
Release: May 31st, 2024, Move Slow, Make Things