Daniel J Townsend is an award-winning educator, songwriter, poet, storyteller and creative facilitator, based in lutruwita/Tasmania.
His latest album The Eye Begins to See is an exquisite song cycle about grief and renewal produced by renowned mandolinist Luke Plumb.
Described as "sustained, jaw-dropping brilliance" (Pete Hay), the record was completely crowdfunded, with debut single Soon I Will Sing You a Song reaching #4 on the AMRAP Metro Charts.
His 2021 release, Broken Voices and The Eyes of Men, was a combination of spoken-word performance and music, with still image videos from diverse artists.
The creator of the very popular Midland Highway: The Musical, Townsend is also the first songwriter in the world to release an album as a podcast with A Tale of Two Cities, a project inspired by the sixth-generation Tasmanian's adventures in Australia's Northern Territory. His 2016 record, World Until Yesterday, was praised as "new and notable" by music platform NoiseTrade, and his 2014 debut Iscariot was described by Inside Sleeve as "incredible".
He has published three books, including Faxes to a Young Songwriter and a poetry anthology, An Uncertain Shore.
Daniel J Townsend has performed at music and poetry festivals all over Australia, including The National Folk Festival (ACT), Nannup (WA), Fleurieu Folk (SA), Tablelands (QLD), Majors Creek (NSW), NT Writers and the Australian Poetry Slam Final, as well as in countless pubs, clubs and homes.
His latest album The Eye Begins to See is an exquisite song cycle about grief and renewal produced by renowned mandolinist Luke Plumb.
Described as "sustained, jaw-dropping brilliance" (Pete Hay), the record was completely crowdfunded, with debut single Soon I Will Sing You a Song reaching #4 on the AMRAP Metro Charts.
His 2021 release, Broken Voices and The Eyes of Men, was a combination of spoken-word performance and music, with still image videos from diverse artists.
The creator of the very popular Midland Highway: The Musical, Townsend is also the first songwriter in the world to release an album as a podcast with A Tale of Two Cities, a project inspired by the sixth-generation Tasmanian's adventures in Australia's Northern Territory. His 2016 record, World Until Yesterday, was praised as "new and notable" by music platform NoiseTrade, and his 2014 debut Iscariot was described by Inside Sleeve as "incredible".
He has published three books, including Faxes to a Young Songwriter and a poetry anthology, An Uncertain Shore.
Daniel J Townsend has performed at music and poetry festivals all over Australia, including The National Folk Festival (ACT), Nannup (WA), Fleurieu Folk (SA), Tablelands (QLD), Majors Creek (NSW), NT Writers and the Australian Poetry Slam Final, as well as in countless pubs, clubs and homes.
"Daniel J Townsend is real deal good. A fabulously talented, literate and nuanced songwriter and singer."
Stuart Coupe, music journalist and promoter
"Sustained, jaw-dropping brilliance."
Pete Hay, poet and academic
"Exquisite. Captivating."
ABC Tasmania
"Stunning. A real work of art. A wonderful journey."
Stu Larsen, songwriter
"An incredible body of work. Moving, profoundly meaningful and transformative."
Vicki Kelleher, poet
Discography
The Eye Begins to See (2024)
Broken Voices and The Eyes Of Men (2021)
Midand Highway: The Musical (2020)
Songs From The Great Pause (2020)
A Tale of Two Cities - the podcast (2019)
A Tale of Two Cities - the album (2018)
World Until Yesterday (2016)
Iscariot (2014)
The Eye Begins to See (2024)
Broken Voices and The Eyes Of Men (2021)
Midand Highway: The Musical (2020)
Songs From The Great Pause (2020)
A Tale of Two Cities - the podcast (2019)
A Tale of Two Cities - the album (2018)
World Until Yesterday (2016)
Iscariot (2014)
The Written Word
Move Slow, Make Things: a manifesto (2024)
An Uncertain Shore (2021)
Faxes to a Young Songwriter (2020)
A Tale of Two Cities: Selected Stories from the Podcast (2019)
Move Slow, Make Things: a manifesto (2024)
An Uncertain Shore (2021)
Faxes to a Young Songwriter (2020)
A Tale of Two Cities: Selected Stories from the Podcast (2019)
