The new album from Peter Broderick, How They Are, is the result of an enforced convalescence during the recording of another…

It’s an exercise in concise, direct simplicity, and is one of the best arguments against overproduction you will ever hear. As mentioned, whilst Broderick was recording his forthcoming album he was forced to take a number of months off to recover from complications from knee surgery. The record fully tracked, enforced inactivity prompted a creative burst separate to the project at hand, a number of songs worked up from words to music.

Due to the relative simplicity of the material, it was then all tracked in ONE DAY in a studio in Portland, Oregon, put down live to tape after Broderick was well enough to return to activity.

The results are amazing in a number of respects – the musicianship is incredible, with some quite moving piano work. The vocals are strong without being overwrought. The production has character in spades – lots of shuffling and clunking around before and after takes, and a reassuring hum from the tape flows through the album, segueing the tracks together. The instruments are captured cleanly with a lot of natural sounding reverb, and in some instances you can seemingly hear the fingers on the keys and the strings.

Opener “Sideline” sets the tone – a simple piano and vocal with heft and impact.

“Human Eyeballs On Toast” is, in spite its distinctive name, an engaging and melodic piece with a memorable lilting piano melody. The resonance of the piano sound is fantastic, fairly booming and ringing almost above the vocals.

“Guilt’s Tune” introduces the guitar, which is also captured with great care. More of a short story or spoken word exercise with accompaniment, a good break in tone from the previous two tracks.

“When I’m Out” is a more maudlin outing, bit of a saloon haunter.  Stunning. Well suited to late nights or early mornings.

“With A Key” showcases the piano sound again, with chiming notes ringing out in the corners. I’m listening so intently to the playing that it’s almost a shock when the vocals drop in.  Restrained and expansive, it’s a fitting penultimate statement.

Closer “Hello To Nils” is an almost bluesy guitar number, apparently a shout out to his producer Nils Frahm. The tone is playful, an upbeat number dealing with the travel of the itinerant musician.

The project as a whole is easy to connect with – it’s possible appreciate on multiple levels, vocally, lyrically, musically and in production. It’s interesting without knowing its genesis, and worthy of further consideration after discovering it.

The release with the album mentions comparisons by press to Bon Iver, Simon and Garfunkel and Nick Drake; and these would be the common touchstones used to describe his work to others. The focus on his work as a folk troubadour does sell it short in some way, as there’s a lot of other depth on display.

I was quite surprised at how quickly it won me over, and I have no doubt that I’ll be returning to listen to it years later. If this an indication of his forthcoming production, the one interrupted by his enforced break, I literally cannot wait.

-Review by Alex Gibson for Fluid Radio

www.bellaunion.com
www.hushrecords.com
www.peterbroderick.net

A few months back I put together a mix for the station entitled Off Key. Over time we received many emails from listeners asking if a second edition could be created and so I set aside some time today to do just that…

“From my tattered walls, an infinite reflection corrupts me. The light striking my eye congeals into an opaque silence and, irremediably, I listen. All the words are falling, enveloped by the astral noise of your eyes. In the inclination of your gaze, I see a white hole coming back at me: an interstice of light, a sound tattered by the tongues of the wind”

Track List:

Antonymes – Endlessly
The Colossal Ithaca Trio & The Deus Ex Machina Arkestra – My Mind To Your Mind
Hummingbird – Uncertainty in Copenhagen
Sophie Hutchings – Sunlight Zone
Christoph Berg – Poems Written By An Old (prepared) Piano
Ólafur Arnalds – Kjurrt
Gary Jules/Michael Andrews – Mad World
Machinefabriek and Peter Broderick  -  Extract from In Session
Anna Rose Carter – My Piano Is Broken
Peter Broderick – Intake Part 2
Max Richter – Journey 5
Max Richter – Journey 3
Louisville – Forest
Adam Williams and Leonardo Rosado – What Has Gone is Lost Forever
Fieldhead – Planks of Wood
Hummingbird – Uncertainty in Copenhagen (Unreleased Edit)
Hessien – A Letter from Engels (Japser TX Remix)
Foxes in Fiction – Basement Window
Male – House of Ride
Field Rotation – Never Build A Bridge Into Nothingness
Evan Caminiti – Westward Sun
Damian Valles – Ground Truth
Clem Leek – The Burnt Home
Nest – Trans Siberian
Mains de Givre – Un Choeur Dames en Detresse
Scott Tuma & Mike Weis – Rubadub
Noveller – Fades
Aaron Martin – Kept Ashes
Field Rotation – Acoustic Tale 4

This cd edition includes the Machinefabriek and Peter Broderick tracks from the lathe-cut version, plus 9 more tracks from Brian Records artists…

If you missed the alluringly bizarre Brian 50 release from last month, here’s another chance to get hold of the thing, albeit under a slightly streamlined guise. The initial run of 50 copies (featuring the 8″ lathe-cut transparent vinyl component) has, quite predictably vanished, although this CD-only edition nicely preserves the essence of the project, carrying over 12 key tracks from the original edition, featuring such well known artistes as… Roy… and… Dave, but also Peter Broderick and Machinefabriek, whose exclusive contributions are fully present and correct.

Once you’ve delved into the tracklist you’ll find plenty of obscure new treats to get acquainted with too. Let’s start with those A-listers though: Broderick really gets into the spirit of the release, offering a new song which itself is titled ‘Brians’. Here the multi-instrumentalist/songwriter/composer/arranger slips into vocal-harmonising folksy country mode and imparts information about the various Brians he has known of the years: “I have known three Brians…” he states in unwaveringly serious and reverential tones. It’s a lovely if absurdly trivial outing for Broderick, and good for him for getting stuck in. Rutger Zuydervelt offers two Machinefabriek tracks: the immersive tremolo drone outing, ‘Ax’, and a special Brian version of ‘Nert’, which features yet more delectable tones, this time set in a scraped, metallic soundworld. Looking elsewhere on the disc you’ll bump into the skillful beatboxing of Pieman, the excellent ‘Spin Well’ by New Volunteer and the absorbing field recording work of Runge Kutta.

Additionally, emphasising the informality of the project are Roy (who serves up a couple of piano solos) and Dave, a songwriter pal of the label’s curator who appears on three homely and intimate songs on this abridged CD edition. Although not quite so eccentric for the second edition (this time limited to 200 copies), Brian 50 retains its character and plenty of its presentational quirks – the extensive liner notes are back and the package still arrives in a hand-stamped envelope. – Boomkat review

Purchase here

www.brianrecords.co.uk

Peter Broderick is a musician who needs little introduction. Establishing himself as a household name within this subculture of music we love is no mean feat for an artist so young, and yet with the volume of work already to his name, the high praise he has received as composer, accompanist and producer is worthy such is the quality of his output.

As a multi-instrumentalist of some distinction it seems unfair to typecast Peter Broderick’s sound, but one could cite two clear genre pools that his music fits within. On the one hand is his acoustic, singer/songwriter guitar based folk music. Records like “Home” and “4 Tracks” fall into this genre. On the other hand his meshing of ambient, electronic sounds with classical instruments like piano and violin can be found on the albums “Docile,” “Float,” and “Music For Falling From Trees.” This sound is also found on his latest record, a super limited edition EP release from Schedios Records entitled “Three Film Score Intakes.”

Part 2

Released on 3” CD, the three tracks on display here combine piano, strings and field recordings. A signature of the Broderick classical sound is his ability to take a minimalist approach to composing and through his blending of pre-recorded sounds or looping his own instruments he adds significant complexity to his music. So, for example, “Part 1” in essence a fairly simplistic, but nonetheless beautiful piano composition is supported by undertones of violin and given a distinctly gritty edge through the recorded sound of a train passing by. “Part 2” which seamlessly integrates from the first track, gives the strings a more prominent role and the resulting sound is an emotionally charged, melancholic one. “Part 3,” reverting to a greater piano focus again, is the most melodic of the three tracks yet Broderick again through his ambient intuition, ensures there is not an overriding burden of romance to the composition.

There is a narrative link between the tracks, the title of the EP alludes to a cinematic quality, and as with the film scores we are accustomed to seeing on the silver screen, the three tracks here certainly feel connected. Despite its micro nature both in the few tracks at hand and the small physical format it’s released on, Broderick as ever succeeds in creating an expansive and complex, yet immediately accessible selection of recordings. With only 200 copies, make sure you are quick, as this is a necessary addition to the music collections of any musical enthusiast. – Review by Josh Atkin for Fluid Radio

Available through Schedios Records here
Also via Experimedia here

Competition

If you fancy winning a signed copy of this stunning release simply answer the following question:

Heather Woods Broderick recently put together a compilation for Sonic Pieces. What is the name of Heather’s track on the album?

If you think you know the answer simply send it over to us using this contact form

Closing date is Sunday 16th. Good luck!

www.web.me.com/schedios/Site_2
www.myspace.com/schedios

Peter Broderick - Crawl Into My Bed by Fluid Radio on Mixcloud

We are thrilled to have Peter involved in this month’s mix schedule, and even more so knowing that ‘Crawl Into My Bed’ is an exclusive 1 hour edit from his recent live performance in Belgium…

On December 10 and 11, 2009, I played two very special concerts in Leuven, Belgium, at the amazing STUK venue. They were label nights for Slaapwel records, who only release music to sleep to, and had recently released my Music for a Sleeping Sculpture…  They installed 50 beds, and everyone in the audience slept over, while me and two other artists performed in the middle of the room.

I only have a recording of the first night.  I went on around one in the morning, and performed for two and a half hours or so, until I my musical brain was tired, and then went to sleep among the audience.  I started off performing quiet versions of a couple songs people had requested, and then improvised the rest around a couple loose themes.

I have made a one hour edit of the recording from that night.  I wouldn’t recommend listening intently all the way through, but instead maybe try putting it on quietly in the background while you go about your business, cleaning your room, working on your computer, cooking dinner, taking a walk, laying in bed, etc. – Peter

www.slaapwelrecords.com

www.myspace.com/peterbroderick

Horse Feathers have to be one of my fav experimental folk projects to emerge over the last few years and this live version of Heathen’s Kiss kind of sums up just how good these guys are…

After fronting several rock bands in his native Idaho, singer/songwriter Justin Ringle moved to Portland, OR in 2004 and began focusing on acoustic music, playing open mics regularly under the moniker Horse Feathers. In 2005, multi-instrumentalist Peter Broderick heard a couple of Justin’s demos and offered to help flesh them out. In February 2006 the duo went into Skyler Norwood’s Miracle Lake studios and recorded their debut album, ‘Words are Dead,’ which was released that September on Portland label, Lucky Madison. Later that year, Peter’s sister Heather Broderick joined the group on cello and by 2007, Horse Feathers began featuring a rotating cast of instrumentalists backing Justin’s guitar and vocals.

Justin and the Brodericks returned to Miracle Lake studios in the fall and winter of 2007 and recorded ‘House With No Home,’ which was released on Kill Rock Stars in the spring of 2008. Around that time, Peter left the country to pursue music in Europe, and Nathan Crockett was enlisted to cover violin duties. Several months later, Heather also left the group to pursue other musical projects and cellist Catherine Odell came on board. The current lineup was rounded out at the beginning of 2009 when Sam Cooper joined as a multi-instrumentalist. As a four piece, the group has been touring extensively and is currently recording a new album for release on Kill Rock Stars in March of 2010.

www.myspace.com/horsefeathersmusic

www.killrockstars.com

This is what is known as ‘spectacular’! I hope that grabs your attention as you’ll need to be super fast to get the new Peter Broderick release as there are only 500!

We’re rather happy to present you with another wonderful addition to the Slaapwel Records set. Peter Broderick is a talented musician to say the least. He knows how to make wonderful folk songs (“Home”), hauntingly beautiful piano & string compositions (“Float”) and he rocks the violin with Efterklang. But is he also up to the task of making music to fall asleep to? You betcha!

With “Music for a Sleeping Sculpture of Peter Broderick” he delivers the goods. Upon hearing this slow-paced work for vocals, piano and field recordings, I immediately decided this would be an indispensable part of my nighty night set. Toothbrush, pyjama’s, Lars (my secret teddy bear) and “Music for a …” ! That’s the way it’s gotta be. It’s one long 30 minute piece that slowly evolves and really draws you into the breathtaking dreamworld of Peter Broderick.

This time we’ve made 500 copies. It comes in a hand assembled package with a high quality CD and 3 inserts in a beautiful cardboard box with a picture of a sleeping sculpture of Peter Broderick. You can get yours through the slaapwel records store. Thanks to modern technology, you can download and listen to it immediately if you buy the CD for 10€.  Click this link for a sample, some pictures and shipping options. If you run into problems or if you have any question at all, just send us an e-mail through the contact page.

The record will be shipped next Monday. People who attend the slaapwel records labelnights in Leuven will be able to get it there. – Wim

www.slaapwelrecords.com

www.slaapwel.bandcamp.com

For this release, Machinefabriek, based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, and Peter Broderick, based in Berlin, Germany (although constantly on the road) set out to push each others limits, and to explore new areas within their own creativity.

The resulting album is a delicately crafted one, with Machinefabriek and Broderick virtuosically combining instrumental compositions, drone, and heartfelt soundscapes with song structures and vocals. Or as Peter Broderick himself put it: “We tried a lot of different things on this album, pushing ourselves to explore new areas… And for me the result is the collection of music I feel most proud of so far.”

Released on LP (white vinyl) and CD. Six tracks. 43 minutes.

Machinefabriek

Rutger Zuydervelt lives in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. His Machinefabriek started in 2004 and has continued with  an impressive series of home-made cd-r’s as well as with releases for 12k, Type Records, Digitalis and Staalplaat. Zuydervelt, a frequent collaborator, has worked with Steinbrüchel, Jasper TX, Wouter van Veldhoven, Aaron Martin, Simon Nabatov, Frans de Waard, and now Peter Broderick.

Peter Broderick

Born in a small town in Oregon, USA but currently residing in Berlin, Germany, Peter Broderick is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter with a string of excellent releases in his own right, and also a member of Efterklang’s tour band. As a solo artist, Broderick has released records for Erased Tapes Records, Bella Union, Digitalis, Type Records and Kning Disk.

Music and words by Peter Broderick and Machinefabriek in 2008 and 2009. Vocals on ‘Rain’ by Susanna Lundgren. Piano on Planes recorded by Adam Selzer at Type Foundry Studio, Portland, OR. Piano on Homecoming recorded by Nils Frahm at Durton Studio, Berlin.

Mastered by James Plotkin.
Photographs by Peter Broderick.
Design by Rutger Zuydervelt.

Purchase here

www.myspace.com/peterbroderick

www.myspace.com/machinefabriek

A wonderful collection from Mr Broderick…

Peter Broderick is a musician/composer currently residing in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he plays violin in the Efterklang live band. He has recorded and/or toured with several groups/musicians (Horse Feathers, M. Ward, She & Him, Norfolk & Western, Laura Gibson, etc.), and is a regular session musician at various recording studios. His solo work is quite varied, but is often grounded by piano and/or strings.

Comment from Peter:

Hello. This is a collection of unreleased material from the last year – some sketches for films, some pieces that never really got finished, etc. It’s possible that one or two of these will be redone for future releases, but most of them are just sketches and ideas that don’t quite fit in anywhere. I hope you will enjoy them!».

Track-list:

1. (0:00-1:54) Atlantic (early version) — This is an early version of a melody I ended up using for a short film called Atlantic by an Irish filmmaker named Conor Ferguson. The final version is much slower, and more a-tempo. This version is much more square and concise.

2. (1:54-4:10) Let Go/Hold On — This is a little folk song I recorded sometime in the beginning of 2007. I think it was right around the time I finished my album Float. It was not a song I had ever planned to release. More just something I recorded for myself…

3. (4:10-7:18) Untitled for Piano #1 — I think this was the first piano piece I wrote after moving to Copenhagen last Autumn. I played it once live, at my first European concert, which was Le Havre, France, and haven’t played it much since… This recording of the song was made when I went back to the states at Christmas time. I met up with an old friend and we went to a nearby church and took turns recording piano songs on the wonderful grand piano in there.

4. (7:18-8:04) Untitled Advert Sketch — Sometime last Spring I was in competition to have a piece of music in an advertisement for a car company (who’s name I’ll leave undisclosed), and I came up with this short piece. After hearing it they came back and told me it was too somber, and that they were looking for something more “masculine and bold”, haha! Anyhow, I kind of like this little piano melody, so I’ll probably end up re-using it for a longer piece in the future.

5. (8:04-11:34) To Rid the Stomach of Any Pains — I wrote this song for a very special friend. Her stomach really bothers her from time to time, and so one day when it was particularly bad, I recorded this song and emailed it to her. There’s kind of a bad mistake towards the end, but for some reason I just decided to leave it in there.

6. (11:46-15:08) Untitled Trio for Piano, Viola, and Melodica — This song has been floating around in my mind for a while, and it’s one that I often play when I sit down at the piano. But I’m not sure if it will ever fit in on an album… I recorded this version in December 2007 at my old violin teacher’s house. She and her family were out of town so they let me use their house to record some things. They have a nice baby grand piano, and the viola and melodica are from there as well.

7. (15:08-21:21) Sketch for Ralph Etter — While I was staying with my mother around Christmas time last year, I recorded a few things on her little out-of-tune spinet piano. This one is a sketch for a filmmaker living in Berlin. He’s made some incredible short films, and I’ll hopefully be working with him on his first feature film soon.

8. (21:21-23:10) Untitled for Piano and Violins — Another song I recorded on my mother’s piano last December. This is just a short little idea I had, written for nothing in particular…

9. (23:10-25:32) Sketch for Ger Leonard — The third and last thing recorded on my mother’s piano. This one was for a filmmaker from Dublin. He sent me an absolutely beautiful script for his first feature film, and I wrote this little sketch based off the script. I highly doubt this will end up in the film, but you have to start somewhere, right?

10. (25:32-27:36) Untitled for Piano #2 — This is just another little idea that’s been floating around in my head for a while that will probably never be used for anything. Recorded in the same session as the Untitled Trio at my old violin teacher’s house.

11. (27:49-31:00) Another Glacier (alternate version) — An alternate version to a song off my album Float. At one point I was trying to see if I could play all the songs on the album on the guitar (rather than the piano). I managed to figure out most of them, but this is the only one I actually recorded.

Download here

www.myspace.com/peterbroderick

www.playmytape.net

1. And It’s Alright (Nils Frahm Remix)
2.Not At Home (Piano & Strings Version)

From Peter Broderick and Nils Frahm with love. Two tracks to engage your ears. Available to download here