Listen Up!: Peter Broderick

i know i've talked quite a bit about what all this new severely over-processed music has done to the music industry, and while i can hardly say that i don't enjoy a good dub beat any less than the next guy it's certainly nice to take a step back every once and a while.  enter Peter Broderick, a 24 year old musician and composer from oregon.  he began his music career by essentially learning to play any instrument he could get his hands on.  while he's spent a few years doing work with groups of other artists (Zooey Deschanel, Dolorean, Laura Gibson) shorting after his tour in 2007 with Efterklang, he began to record his own solo music, the most recent album being How They Are. albeit a little strange (as most great musicians are) i really appreciate that Broderick isn't afraid to explore empty space within his music. i think layered silence in music is fascinating because the anticipation grabs your attention and forces you to listen more than any catchy beat could ever do.  while he remains an incredibly talented individual (i'm not kidding. he's able to play the guitar and piano at the same time...i'd like to see you try that) he isn't afraid to keep things simple and honest and allows the listener to really focus on one element at a time.

You will like him if you like: James Taylor, Damien Rice, Nils Frahm, Iron and Wine

Why he's important: his willingness to explore silence and how that can function within music is something that i don't see being done anywhere else to any great effect (i really hope he continues to explore this further). on top of having a beautiful voice, Broderick also has strong musical composing chops.  i think a lot of listeners need to be reminded of composing as art form separate from most other popular music and as something that hasn't died with beethoven but is still in fact very valid and current and worthy of our generation of listeners appreciation.

Songs to listen to: "Sideline", "Guilt's Tune", "With the Notes in my Ears", "And It's Alright", "With a Key"

- J

Listen Up!: Hawksley Workman

so i thought this year of blogging should be commenced by one of my all time favorite canadian artists, Hawksley Workman. born Ryan Corrigan in huntsville ontario, Hawksley Workman is one of those incredibly prolific artists that you unfortunately don't hear about often enough. he released his first album For Him and the Girls in 1999 and since has released a total of 11 albums, the most recent being Milk and Meat both released this past year.  in addition to putting out albums at a rapid fire pace, he also works as a producer, engineer, and songwriter for himself and others.

what i love most about this unabashed canadian is his fearless approach to music.  in all of his 11 albums, Hawksley stays very true to his rock roots but is still able to create many different feelings through sound within this genre.  because he works so quickly on these albums there is no time for over processing so each song feels incredibly sincere and fresh.  you can feel Hawksley's excitement for his music not through fast-paced beats or crazy guitar riffs, but simply through the honestly of his vocals.  he also approaches his music with a great degree of humor which i find extremely admirable.  while many artists are trying to make some grandiose statement about the world, Hawksley sings stuff like "thank goodness you're timeless, cause my watch got stolen". all in all, i'm very proud to share a country with this prolific man.

You will like him if you like: Danny Michel, Joel Plaskett

Why he's important: in a music market that is so focused on perfecting albums and over processing songs before they're put to release, Hawksley Workman accepts the imperfections and honestly in his recordings.  he also isn't afraid to embrace the (sometimes subtle, but usually fairly blatant) humor of his lyrics and plays it up with a wide range of vocals and upbeat, funky rhythms. 

Song to listen to: "We'll Make Time", "No Sissies", "Your Beauty Must Be Rubbing Off", "We Dance to Yesterday","Not Your Parents Music", "Jealous of Your Cigarette", "Complicated Man", "Warhol's Portrait of Gretzky", "Fatty Wants to Dance"

- J