Image by @e.cocreative
Hi, I'm Daniel J Townsend, an award-winning educator, songwriter and motivational speaker in Lutruwita/Tasmania.
I am also the director of Move Slow Make Things Song School. Whether you feel too old, too young or you're stuck playing small gigs long after 'emerging' as an artist, I can help you find your song.
Take the first step today!
I am also the director of Move Slow Make Things Song School. Whether you feel too old, too young or you're stuck playing small gigs long after 'emerging' as an artist, I can help you find your song.
Take the first step today!
About Me
Image by @cathleophotos
Facebook's old motto was "move fast, break things." What a bunch of jerks. My motto is move slow, make things. It's who I am, it's what I do.
My latest project is The Delmores. Harmony is where it's at, folks. Moving slow and making things with friends.
My most recent record is Living Light (2025), a joyous celebration of harmony. Recorded live with a 7-piece band in a single session at Frying Pan Studios, I coordinated the release of singles with the lunar cycle. Available on vinyl and CD, Living Light was made possible by the Australian Government Regional Arts Fund.
To celebrate 20 years of live performance, I also released a live album in 2025. Nothing is Enough, is only available on cassette. Sales are ... slow (which was kind of the point).
My 2024 album The Eye Begins to See is a song cycle about grief and renewal produced by renowned mandolinist Luke Plumb. The record was crowdfunded, with debut single Soon I Will Sing You a Song reaching #4 on the AMRAP Metro Charts.
My 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 (as heard on ABC Radio Tasmania), I am also the first songwriter in the world to release an album as a podcast with A Tale of Two Cities, a project inspired by my adventures in Australia's Northern Territory.
My 2016 record, World Until Yesterday, was praised as "new and notable" by music platform NoiseTrade, and my 2014 debut Iscariot was described by Inside Sleeve as "incredible".
I have published three books, including Faxes to a Young Songwriter and a poetry anthology, An Uncertain Shore.
I have 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.
My latest project is The Delmores. Harmony is where it's at, folks. Moving slow and making things with friends.
My most recent record is Living Light (2025), a joyous celebration of harmony. Recorded live with a 7-piece band in a single session at Frying Pan Studios, I coordinated the release of singles with the lunar cycle. Available on vinyl and CD, Living Light was made possible by the Australian Government Regional Arts Fund.
To celebrate 20 years of live performance, I also released a live album in 2025. Nothing is Enough, is only available on cassette. Sales are ... slow (which was kind of the point).
My 2024 album The Eye Begins to See is a song cycle about grief and renewal produced by renowned mandolinist Luke Plumb. The record was crowdfunded, with debut single Soon I Will Sing You a Song reaching #4 on the AMRAP Metro Charts.
My 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 (as heard on ABC Radio Tasmania), I am also the first songwriter in the world to release an album as a podcast with A Tale of Two Cities, a project inspired by my adventures in Australia's Northern Territory.
My 2016 record, World Until Yesterday, was praised as "new and notable" by music platform NoiseTrade, and my 2014 debut Iscariot was described by Inside Sleeve as "incredible".
I have published three books, including Faxes to a Young Songwriter and a poetry anthology, An Uncertain Shore.
I have 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
"Sustained, jaw-dropping brilliance."
Pete Hay, poet and academic
"Exquisite. Captivating."
Helen Shield, ABC Tasmania
Discography
Living Light (2025)
Nothing is Enough (2025)
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)
Living Light (2025)
Nothing is Enough (2025)
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)
What a Way to Make a Living
2026 - present: Creativity Consultant 2019 - 2025: Alternative Education and the Arts 2004 - 2018: Classroom Teaching and Youth Work
2026 - present: Creativity Consultant 2019 - 2025: Alternative Education and the Arts 2004 - 2018: Classroom Teaching and Youth Work
- Music teacher (TAS and NT)
- Student wellbeing
- Literacy support
- Frontier youth work
Straight to the Pool Room
2021, 2024: Solo Folk Artist of the Year nominee (AFMA)
2018: Australian Crime and Violence Prevention award
2017: NT Secondary Teacher of the Year (Rural)
2017: Australian Poetry Slam finalist
2021, 2024: Solo Folk Artist of the Year nominee (AFMA)
2018: Australian Crime and Violence Prevention award
2017: NT Secondary Teacher of the Year (Rural)
2017: Australian Poetry Slam finalist
Straight from the School Room
2025: Decolonisation and Cultural Safety
2019: Trust-Based Relational Intervention
2018: Berry Street Education Model
2012: Graduate Diploma in Education
2007: Restorative Practice
2006: Diploma in Youth and Community Work
2003: Bachelor of Arts
2025: Decolonisation and Cultural Safety
2019: Trust-Based Relational Intervention
2018: Berry Street Education Model
2012: Graduate Diploma in Education
2007: Restorative Practice
2006: Diploma in Youth and Community Work
2003: Bachelor of Arts
Image by @cathleophotos
