Interview – Peter Broderick
With two gorgeous releases in 2008 and seemingly endless collaborations over a frightening number of years considering he is only 22, the musicians favourite Peter Broderick has been dazzling audiences with his live shows and wowing the music press. Si Higgs catches up with him at the final gig of his latest UK tour.
Si Higgs: I first saw you touring with Efterklang with your support set doing strange things to the hairs on the back of my neck. How did you meet the guys from Efterklang?
Peter Broderick: Actually I was just a huge fan of the band and I met them on Myspace! After sending them a bunch of fan mail and my own CD’s, and kind of becoming friends, one day they invited me out of the blue to move to Denmark and join the band! A Dream come true!
SH: As a pianist myself I can hear on all your records that you truly have a love of the piano. As a multi-instrumentalist, is the piano your favourite instrument?
PB: Yes. Playing the piano is the most satisfying of all instruments for me. All I have to do is touch one note and I’m happy!
SH: Some have likened your work to that of Max Richter or Michael Nyman. Whilst such comparisons are well deserved it’s clear to me that your music is not derivative in any way. Despite this, have you been influenced by these musicians?
PB: Definitely. I haven’t heard a ton of Michael Nyman, just a couple of his film scores, but Max Richter was a huge influence for me when I was making my first couple records.
SH: Every time I listen to your music it really fires the imagination, evoking images of beautiful isolated landscapes. I think it would make perfect soundtrack for film. Have you ever considered collaborating with a film maker?
PB: Yes! Actually right now I’m in Ireland on the set of a film for which I am making the score! These kinds of projects seem to be popping up left and right, which I think is fantastic!
SH: That sounds pretty exciting. Are you allowed to say what the film is about or who the director or is that a closely guarded secret?
PB: This film is the first feature film by Irish director Ger Leonard. The working title is “Shelter”, and it’s kind of a bunch of different stories that weave together. And there are a lot of animals in the film. I’d say the animals are just as important as the people. But it’s not talking animals or anything; it’s done in a very realistic manner… And I think that’s about all I can say right now! But I truly believe it will be a beautiful, beautiful film, and I’m honored to be involved!
 from <Our Brother the Native which may be released by <em>Kning Disk</em>. We were wondering what direction this was taking and how things were progressing?</b> </p>
<p>PB: Chaz is wonderful. So far our collaboration hasn’t gotten past the point of emailing ideas. But primarily we’ve been talking about him making a contribution to the solo piano series on <em>Kning Disk</em>, for which I would be the “producer”. And I might be recording some strings for some of his other projects as well.</p>
<p> <b>SH: Keeping on the subject of collaborations, one of your other side projects <em>Horsefeathers</em> released a fine album at the end of last year. Are there plans for a UK tour with them in 2009?</b> </p>
<p>PB: Well unfortunately I’m not so involved with Horse Feathers any more. I am so busy with my solo things that I can’t quite find the time to tour with them. But I know they have a lot of tour plans for the year!</p>
<p> <b>SH: Sorry in advance but I have to ask… is Horsefeathers named after the <em>Marx Brothers</EM> movie?</b> </p>
<p>PB: No, ha-ha, but a lot of people ask that. It’s actually just named after the old saying “Ahhh horsefeathers!” As in, “Ahhhh bullshit!”</p>
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