Wovenhand

David Eugene Edwards, enigmatic frontman and visionary for 16 Horsepower, began recording under the Woven Hand moniker while Horsepower was on hiatus in 2001. (The name "Woven Hand" refers to hands clasped in prayer; Edwards' Christianity -- he was raised the son of a traveling Nazarene preacher -- is a consistent, driving theme in his music.) Fans of 16HP will instantly recognize the same forces at work in Woven Hand -- e.g., incendiary gospel, hallowed folk and mordant tones infused with a high, dark theatricality worthy of Nick Cave. Edwards worked on the material at home in Denver, recording, producing, and playing on most of the album by himself. Later, he pulled in guitarist Steve Taylor (ex-16 Horsepower) to help flesh out the compositions. The self-titled project was initially released on the German label Glitterhouse; it was issued in the U.S. on Sounds Familyre in early 2003. Along with a parcel of Edwards originals the album includes a knee-buckling take on Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone." That same year, Edwards set to work on Blush Music, a set of compositions created for a modern dance company in Belgium.