Scratchy Buckles: Peter Broderick

It’s always a good sign when an album's content, defies pigeonholing and Peter Broderick’s style could be described as anything from classical, folk, Americana, minimalism, lo-fi, slowcore or a soundtrack to a pastoral scene.

The music he creates elicits responses like haunting, reflective, hypnotising, spine tingling, soothing, peaceful, beautiful and heart wrenching. The tender moments of Brian Eno, Michael Nyman and Harold Budd, or the more introspective sequences of Sigur Ros, spring to mind when referencing his musical bedfellows. Peter Broderick, is a classically trained multi-instrumentalist, born and raised in Portland, Oregon, who at the tender age of twenty one, is perched on the ledge of a creative mountain. He is set to take flight and soar towards the clouds of critical acclaim and hopefully ascending favourable thermals of popularity.

The melancholy charms of Peter was first heard on vinyl through an early single 'Retreat/Release' out in 2007 on Type Records, a mini album/maxi E.P titled 'Docile' soon followed on Kning Disk

‘Float’ was his first fully fledged album, it drifted into the public realm, back in May 2008 on Type Records. Short, sparse piano compositions, complemented by lush strings, dominate this mostly instrumental collection of ten songs. The resulting sombre yet atmospheric vibe yields a touching yet tentative debut.

Broderick, despite his tender years, has managed to chalk up an impressive list of collaborations and contributed to such luminaries as M. Ward, Zooey Deschanel’s She and Him project, Horse Feathers, Norfolk & Western, Loch Lomond ,White Hinterland, Library Tapes, Machinefabriek, Laura Gibson and Our Broken Garden.

In 2007, he moved to Copenhagen, joined Danish folk band Efterklang and spent the majority of the year, touring around Europe, performing as part of their live band.

The second album Home is out now on Bella Union, in Europe and Hush Records in America. Broderick has progressed into a more expansive sound with increasing use of delicate layered vocals and guitars. The use of percussion, banjo, mandolin, a saw, pump organ, field recordings and clay whistle show the variety of souces Peter uses to convey his own musical vision. Listening to the results, takes you to a warm safe place, like recalling a favourite hidey hole from childhood, a reassuring hug from a loved one, a secure retreat.

Home and Float have been pressed on a limited edition vinyl, this begs the question why limit these splendorous objects? it should be obligatory for every connoisseur of gorgeous, emotive music to own and cherish these records.