Reflecting on a two-year struggle with feelings of isolation and detachment, award-winning composer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Badhands is back with a brand new single, 'Wasted', which is independently released today.

Dubliner Daniel Fitzpatrick, A.K.A. Badhands, has spent the past number years composing scores for wildlife documentaries in collaboration with some of the world's largest TV organisations, including the BBC, PBS and RTÉ.

In 2019, his score for the Wild Cuba documentary won an award at the prestigious Jackson Wild Film Festival in the U.S. in 2019, as well as winning Best Score at the 2021 Green Screen Wildlife Festival in Germany.


When he's not composing for television, he's working on his acclaimed 'Badhands' project - think Mark Lanegan meets Villagers. The new Badhands album 'Far Away' has just been announced for April 1 and the latest single 'Wasted' is out now.  

1. Your new single 'Wasted' balances downbeat lyrics with a a more upbeat tune. How did you find the balance between the two?

That came quite naturally with this song. There's a fair bit of self-pity in the lyrics, but I think if the music had matched, the song wouldn't have worked so well, as the lyrics are a bit tongue-in-cheek at times. So I think I instinctively gravitated to a more upbeat arrangement to provide a bit of contrast.

2. The lyrics themselves are reflective. Has the pandemic made you slow down and take stock a bit more?

Probably not so much in terms of how I write; I suppose I've always written songs from a fairly personal and reflective point of view. But I imagine the last few years have definitely had an impact on the content of the songs, either consciously or subconsciously, as there has been so much upheaval.

3. Who are the biggest influences of your music?

Scott Walker, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, PJ Harvey, Leonard Cohen, Radiohead.

4. Describe the best experience of your career, so far.

In terms of Badhands, probably the launch of the first album 'Predictable Boy' in The Workmans Club, Dublin. I'd say that was our best gig to date. Pre-Badhands I played with The Mighty Stef and we did a few really good tours of the States, which were great experiences.

5. What differences are there between making music as Badhands and making music for nature documentary work?

One of the main differences is that I don't have to write lyrics for composing for television, which is quite liberating! I like being able to just focus on the music sometimes. Also my goals are very different when composing for documentaries; the main focus is getting the music to serve the film and trying to complement what's going on on screen.

6. Name one act that you would love to collaborate with.

Tom Waits.

7. Name one record that everyone should hear and why.

Kris Kristofferson's first album 'Kristofferson'. It's a really beautiful album, with a lot of songs on it that were hits for other people, but I much prefer his versions of all the tunes.

8. What's the one song you wish you'd written?

'Isis' by Bob Dylan.

9. You're set to release your new album in the next few months, how are you feeling compared to when you released your debut LP?

I'm probably feeling a little more relaxed than when I was bringing out the first record. I think that's possibly because I'm already working on the third album with the band, so there's already something to look forward to after this album comes out!

10. Finally, what are your plans for 2022?

To bring out 'Far Away' on April 1st, and play some shows around then, assuming all goes ok on the Covid front. I hope to also have the third Badhands album finished by the summer.

Badhands' new single 'Wasted' is available now to stream here.