You’ll need to delve back to 2012 to recall the last album that Peter Broderick released for Bella Union. It was unusual in more than one way, it was both a physical album and a website: http://www.itstartshear.com/. Whilst intriguing, the living liner notes also proved indispensable as noted in our review: ‘shedding light on the genesis of each song, many of which are borne out of events in his personal life.’ That album was also recorded over a lengthy period of three years by producer/pianist extraordinaire Nils Frahm.
Although we didn’t know it until last year that album also took it’s toll on Broderick as he struggled with the idea of recreating the album on stage. He worked himself into complete exhaustion leading him to cancel all tour plans, and eventually ending up in hospital with a stress-born illness.
Last year saw his return with the release of (Colours Of The Night) Satellite and this full-length album Colours Of The Night (released 27th April on Bella Union) signals he’s back on fine form and brimming with a new-found creativity.
You can hear ‘Red Earth’, the album opening track below:
Whilst not declaring the hand of fate here, that period of respite opened some new doors from unexpected quarters – an invite to a “recording residency” in the small town of Lucerne, Switzerland. He accepted the offer, arrived, developed friendships with local musicians which led to them inviting him to be a guest of the city for three weeks while recording an album with a backing band of local musicians…like you do. All of this took place at the studio of Timo Keller, a local producer and engineer known for his involvement not in the neo-classical or ambient but in the Swiss hip-hop scene.
He was intrigued…not least because he was used to playing his own instruments, the experience proved unexpected and refreshing. “I arrived with a pile of songs and just sort of watched as they got carried through the filter of this group of musicians who were coming from an entirely different place,” says Broderick. “It was exciting to let go a little bit, to simplify and consolidate my own role in the music.”
Colours Of The Night will be released 27th April on Bella Union.
Colours Of The Night Track listing
1. Red Earth
2. The Reconnection
3. Colours Of The Night
4. Get On With Your Life
5. If I Sinned
6. Our Best
7. One Way
8. On Time
9. More and More
10. Rotebode