About
idea! . . . let’s make my biography together, based on what you actually want to know. send a question via email to peterbroderickmail@gmail.com with the subject line “peter question.” i might be a little slow but i aim to answer them all. look at the questions below and hear the answers . . . maybe you find something you were looking for!
QUESTION 46 | from reid owen | march 4, 2013
It was when my sister bought Lentemuziek second hand from a Half-Price Bookstore that I first heard your music. Things quickly devolved from there and today I can be heard quietly singing “h tt p colon slash slash…” to myself—your music has brought me much joy and solace the past year and a half. So, thank you. You are good inspiration for a fledgling art student, writer, music-maker, creative male. On another note, I am a student currently and I have left my beloved cat at my parents. My query is this: would you sing about Bertram the cat? Also known as “Bertie”… he is an affectionate grey siamese/ tabby mix with blue crossed eyes.
ANSWER 46 | march 11, 2013
QUESTION 45 | from svenja arends | january 6, 2013
What’s your best childhood memory? What’s your worst childhood memory?
ANSWER 45 | march 11, 2013
QUESTION 44 | from caroline bracco | september 29, 2012
Sometimes you come across something that makes you want to give it all up to leave it behind and dedicate your life to whatever that something is. Sometimes, religion is involved. Sometimes drugs are involved. And sometimes, it’s art. I am lucky to say that your art has done this to me. But I should be forming a question: How can I be a disciple of this kind of art? How can I help to spread the images and emotions and appreciation for grace that you invoke? I live in a suburb of San Francisco. I cannot find people like you. I have looked in Los Angeles. I have looked in Osaka. I have looked in New York. I have come to the conclusion that I will have to be one myself if I ever want to spend time with this kind of beauty. but I don’t know where to start. Its a sickening feeling to want to be someone else. Especially at my age. Ideas? It’s hard to do alone!
ANSWER 44 | march 11, 2013
QUESTION 43 | from paul würrer | september 9, 2012
I’d like to ask: how do you feel about people covering your songs? I’ve heard from some artists that they don’t really like it, it doesn’t sit well with them that anyone would try to re-interpret and rearrange something as personal as their tunes. I’m primarily asking because I’m thinking of maybe covering one or two of your songs since they’ve helped and inspired me a lot during the last year. (And It’s Alright and Not At Home are the two I would pick, they’re breathtaking and I could already find tabs for them).
ANSWER 43 | march 11, 2013
QUESTION 42 | from linda aust | august 27, 2012
Hi Peter, as you seem to have some insight into human condition and emotional dilemmas, I was wondering whether you think (like the French say) ‘one always kisses and the other always turns the cheek’ – i.e. can love ever be equal or will one always love more and then secondly is it better to love or to be the beloved?
ANSWER 42 | march 11, 2013
QUESTION 41 | from anton lundqvist | march 19, 2012
I’m writing to you on behalf of the population of Sweden. Some would say I don’t have that authority. Maybe they’re right. But i honestly believe that if i played your songs to each and everyone of the approximately 9,5 million inhabitants, and then asked them if they would like you to come here and play for us, they sure would agree. So, from all of us here up north: when will you do us the honor of a concert here? It would make 2012 go from “ok” to “great on the mood-scale.
ANSWER 41 | march 11, 2013
QUESTION 40 | from małgorzata grzelka | february 19, 2012
I hear you live in Berlin – why Berlin? I’m curious, because I stayed there for a short time at some point in my life. I like the laid-back, slightly eccentric atmosphere and people who aren’t uptight (like they usually are in capitals), and that the city’s not particularly pretty but has a quirky charm stemming from the history that permeates places, from atmospheric tenement houses and that amazing network of public transport. Anyway, that’s what I think. And how are you finding it?
ANSWER 40 | march 11, 2013
QUESTION 39 | from pierre desvages | february 16, 2012
I’m now listening your new album it starts hear, and thinking it’s great. Could you plan to make a gig in Lille, France ?
ANSWER 39 | march 11, 2013
QUESTION 38 | from judah underwood | february 12, 2012
Hi, this is kind of a dumb question, but in your “Music For Confluence” score, several songs have this sort of pad-ish sound (that i can tell involves acoustic instruments), like the song “She Just Quit Coming To School” and I was wondering, how do you do that sort of thing? If its too complicated, then you don’t have to tell me if you want to.
ANSWER 38 | march 11, 2013
QUESTION 37 | from allyce elizabeth | february 10, 2012
I just discovered your music and I am in love. Can you please play a show in New Orleans or Lafayette?
ANSWER 37 | march 11, 2013
QUESTION 36 | from julia martin | february 10, 2012
I’m trying to interprete the title “It starts hear” and have several aproaches, but I would appreciate to hear your intention. So, what do you mean by that?
ANSWER 36 | march 11, 2013
QUESTION 35 | from ramona ciucan | january 31, 2012
I just wanted to know what do you think of people that like or enjoy or who, in some sort of a way, find some homely feeling (like I do) in your music?
ANSWER 35 | january 1, 2013
QUESTION 34 | from matina birtch | december 13, 2011
When are you coming to Vancouver, BC? This city needs you to play us a show! I remember the 1st and only time I saw you play here, it was at the media club (and it was absolutely breathtaking), but should you come sometime soon, can you play somewhere more intimate. Perhaps a church? Would be amazing!
ANSWER 34 | january 1, 2013
QUESTION 33 | from alex kimmell | december 9, 2011
I have been a musician for the majority of my life. I went to a performing arts high school in Los Angeles and studied music at U.S.C. I toured quite a bit playing jazz and in rock bands. After that I did session work for a while and got completely burnt out. So I dropped out of the scene, made some records on my own at home and gave them to friends just for fun. Then I got busy raising my kids and unfortunately got very sick. I started having trouble using my hands and was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Not being able to play at the level I was accustomed to was very difficult. I started to lose all inspiration to play and even listen to music. I don’t remember exactly how, but a couple of years ago I was lucky enough to be exposed to your music. It was probably through Youtube or something like that. Since I first heard it, I have been re-inspired by music again. I have been composing things and even doing some film scoring work again. I have to do most things one handed (YAY computers!), but getting the sound out of me and into the world again has been very fulfilling. I just wanted you to know that your music has reached me in a way that I truly needed and I thank you for that. I know there has to be a question in here somewhere, so here it comes. I would love to collaborate with you. Is that something that you might be interested in/willing to do if you have the time and opportunity to do so?
ANSWER 33 | january 1, 2013
QUESTION 32 | from sophie sayer | december 8, 2011
hey, just heard your latest collab album and i love it. when are you playing in the uk?/please come to the uk. where is your dream place to perform? (ps i definitely didn’t write this slightly pointless ‘question’ just to hear you sing a little bit more)
ANSWER 32 | january 1, 2013
QUESTION 31 | from eugene danyo | december 6, 2011
I’m really enamored with your new album, ‘Music for Confluence’ and I read somewhere that you were fortunate enough to have found a place in Germany above a music store where you recorded the album. Can you describe it and tell us how it was to record there?
ANSWER 31 | january 1, 2013
QUESTION 30 | from sylvie launay | december 5, 2011
As we are both poets, I wonder how you deal with the fact poetry is not much read nowadays compared with other forms of arts. Do you consider writing poetry in your lyrics or do you have to refrain this. What does your music bring to your deep words?
ANSWER 30 | january 1, 2013
QUESTION 29 | from james hunyar | december 2, 2011
I’m no poet and this is no question, but I wrote this while listening to 4 Track Songs just now. It’s about me, but your music helped me write it, and I feel better having written it, so I wanted to say thanks.
As a kid I was sidetracked
With industrial beauty
Shining aluminum on blue
Transported through life
Never sure where to, or from
My love for things brief
My youth in soft pastels
An impressionist flip book
27 years gone I am
Fat, lazy eyed, fatherless
Greasy haired, bitter
Fighting with my mouth
Body aching for sleep
Mind burning scraps
I’m still working that out
I realize that I’m lacking
Sparks between wordless lips
Hearts pumping iron
Heads spitting reels of thought
Hands in the shadows
Pagan passion destined
For disaster or death
But I’m a dreaming husk
Primarily autonomous
Reacting to stimuli
Always working for free
Bad merchandise and I know it
It’s the first of December
I found cracks in the wall
Tried to shatter it with a piano
Tried to raise my voice to sing
But what’s the use?
I’m realizing now that
I never saw this coming
As a kid I was sidetracked
By Debussy in the night
Snowflakes drifting through
Windows frozen open
Mesmerized by a lone train
The ocean roar of the highway
My love for the world
A great howling wind
Through vast expanses
ANSWER 29 | february 12, 2012
QUESTION 28 | from james starkey | november 30, 2011
Have you ever thought about a Twitter account, Peter? They can be dreadful, but really interesting too. I enjoy reading about people, especially if they make music.
ANSWER 28 | february 12, 2012
QUESTION 27 | from sara mohammedi | november 21, 2011
I spent a few months in Canterbury, Kent and used to listen to Pulling The Rain a lot in the train that would take me to work. I would cross the countryside and simply enjoy the beauty of nature. Although I like to hear you sing, I also think your music without any lyrics brings a whole range of emotions that I can grab to then make my own interpretation of it (if that makes any sense). Do you usually start writing lyrics or music first? How do you decide to put lyrics or not?
ANSWER 27 | february 12, 2012
QUESTION 26 | from joshua gibbs | october 24, 2011
I see that Peter is slated to do another Slaapwel Night February of next year. Peter’s “Crawl Into My Bed” is one of my favorite concerts of all time (shame that only an hour of the show exists in recorded form) and I was hoping he might record the next show, as well. Any plans for this? Any possibility he would be willing to do so for a loyal fan?
ANSWER 26 | february 12, 2012
QUESTION 25 | from craig lincoln | september 24, 2011
I have been listening to a track on youtube which you recorded with Nils called ‘Everything I Know’ , my question is how come I can’t find it on any of your releases ? its actually one of my favourite recording’s and would love to have a copy on vinyl even if it was a live recording.
ANSWER 25 | february 12, 2012
QUESTION 24 | from kristiaan art | september 20, 2011
I once heard a dancer say “Home is the place you run away from to find yourself”. I think he was quoting Salman Rushdie. It’s a quote that has stuck with me since. For me growing up and life in general is about freeing yourself from expectations and burdens that come with growing up in your family, while embracing the talents and positive legacies that come from generations before you.
Since you seem to be on the road all the time, and have made a wonderfull record called “Home” and mainly because I’m sure you’re a human with parents and a family as well, I’m curious what this quote means to you.
ANSWER 24 | february 12, 2012
QUESTION 23 | from jos van roosmalen | june 10, 2011
We were at your concert in Leeuwarden at Fries Straat Festival about two weeks ago. You played us some new songs and we were wondering if these songs are to be released on a new solo album or a collaboration album with Nils Frahm?
ANSWER 23 | june 25, 2011
QUESTION 22 | from melanie walsh | june 8, 2011
My cat has a new beautiful new girlfriend. She however has a horrible pitch meow and meows for him outside the house daily. She constantly tries to get in to eat his food and sit in his box. He loves her and is always grooming her. We don’t want to break up true love but she is getting a real pain…what shall we do?
ANSWER 22 | june 25, 2011
QUESTION 21 | from luke loughrey | june 4, 2011
I would like to know what musicians have influenced your guitar playing, especially on your albums ‘Home’ and ’How they are’.
ANSWER 21 | june 25, 2011
QUESTION 20 | from adriano esteves | may 25, 2011
Q1. Did you had this idea to reply with songs after you recorded Guilt’s Tune?
Q2. When will you release the collaboration with Greg Haines?
ANSWER 20 | june 25, 2011
QUESTION 19 | from hugh atkinson | may 16, 2011
So I was listening to Home, and the song title Esbern Snares Gade 11, 2tv jumped out of the page at me; it looked very Danish (I live in Copenhagen, have done for about four years) and it turns out it’s not far from where I live in Vesterbro. So I got curious what the significance of the address was, if it was the home of a friend or a sweetheart, or you maybe just went to a party there one time. The song itself, being an instrumental, doesn’t offer many clues. Did you ever live in Denmark for a long stretch, and did you get to know many cats during your time here?
ANSWER 19 | june 25, 2011
QUESTION 18 | from kenneth nowlan | may 6, 2011
“Stopping On The Broadway Bridge” has a feeling of a moment you experienced or a story you are trying to tell. When I listen to it, not only do I think of the film I would like to make, but It reminds me of being caught in the rain. Rain, to me, is very inspiring and even cinematic. If this IS the case, what exactly is that moment you experienced, or what is the story behind the song.
ANSWER 18 | june 25, 2011
QUESTION 17 | from amy lewis | may 5, 2011
sometimes i hate music. i love it, but sometimes i just hate it so much. i find if i am trying to express something, something really thick, rich, deep, something that needs to be out, that it just becomes a jumble, chaos, and i cant contain it in the basic skills that i have. and then i am more frustrated because i cant apply the time to music that i need to be better at musical instruments because i am also, although i love music the most, besotted by adventure and tempted all the other wonderful things to do in the world. do you sometimes hate music? does it ever make you angry? if so, what do you do then?
ANSWER 17 | june 25, 2011
QUESTION 16 | from alex crickmay | march 25, 2011
What is the song you performed at Bella Union end of last year that had the chorus “How can you love me when you don’t love yourself” ?
ANSWER 16 | may 4, 2011
QUESTION 15 | from jedadiah bernards | march 25, 2011
have you you ever had creative droughts throughout your years as a musician? if so, what do those feel like? what helps you get through them?
ANSWER 15 | may 4, 2011
QUESTION 14 | from jarema piekutowski | march 4, 2011
A few months ago I heard your song „With A Key” on a radio channel in Poland. I have to say that I was absolutely enchanted by the music and lyrics. I spend some time on studying the lyrics, and still it is mysterious to me. I have some interpretation, but I’d like to know if it’s consistent with your idea. The hero, presumably weary after some hard experiences, returns to the place of his childhood days to regain strength. There he meets a mysterious woman, swimming in a pond with a key in her hand. We don’t know who she is, but it seems that she’s a symbol of a source of love, beauty and mystical knowledge – regardless of its origin (whether the source comes from God, or from (wo)man, or from the Earth itself symbolized here by the water). The woman brings a consolation for his withered mind and heart (with her smile). This can be regarded as a symbol of a womanly (earthly?) strength. And then goes a line: “…because it was blurry”, and my first question: does the “it” in the line regard to the girl’s smile? If it is true, then we can say that the blurriness of the smile awakens a kind of passion in the hero (a passion to possess the girl/ the source of love/knowledge?). Unfortunately, the outburst of passion leads to the drowning of the woman (what might be a symbol of an uncontrolled desire which leads to destruction) – and the key is lost forever. There are two more things I’m uncertain of: what does the “whole filling” mean here? Why is the man excited because of the blurriness of the woman’s smile? What do you think of this interpretation?
ANSWER 14 | may 4, 2011
QUESTION 13 | from sandy | february 25, 2011
I first heard about you through the music for on paper wings, then docile and float all of which are instrumental albums – my question is what made you decide to move to a more vocal focussed next record with Home (which has become one of my favorites of your work) ?
ANSWER 13 | may 4, 2011
QUESTION 12 | from frits mijnders | february 24, 2011
After seeing you in concert at Cross-Linx Eindhoven – which you aced, by the way – I immediately fell in love with your music. I bought your music via iTunes and one thing that really appealed to me was your cover art, especially for Float and How They Are. I noticed you dabble in photography, and as I’m an amateur photographer myself, I was wondering who made the photos for those covers? Did you shoot them yourself?
ANSWER 12 | may 4, 2011
QUESTION 11 | from colin roberts | february 8, 2011
Is there a question or thought that you think about a lot? Not the passing kind that you can think about and dismiss, but the life long kind that keeps coming up, the kind that drives you as a person and influences your work.
ANSWER 11 | may 4, 2011
QUESTION 10 | from mark sutton | february 6, 2011
Hi Peter, not really a question about you, but just wondering if you have any plans to play Liverpoool (ever). I think I could get at least 12 people down to see you if makes any difference? I’ve been trying to introduce as many people to your work as possible.
ANSWER 10 | may 4, 2011
QUESTION 9 | from matt leivers | september 14, 2010
Is there a song that whenever you hear it makes you think ‘damn! I wish I’d written that!’? What’s the song?
ANSWER 9 | february 3, 2011
QUESTION 8 | from simon moffat | september 3, 2010
I dont know if its a suitable question for your website, but (as a non-musician) I wondered how difficult you find the ‘performance’ side of your work. Being someone who shuns attention, it amazes me that apart from the creative side you are able to step up in front of (increasingly, i guess) large audiences and be a solitary figure in the spotlight. Is performing live something you enjoy or is it a necessary part of being a musician? ( I remember reading that Nick Drake found performing very difficult, what with nerves and feeling the audience were not really engaging with his music etc.)
ANSWER 8 | february 3, 2011
QUESTION 7 | from damien carter | august 30, 2010
I was wondering where you got the inspiration for Below it from – could be based on the plot of a film/book from the words?
ANSWER 7 | february 3, 2011
QUESTION 6 | from helena pattison | august 27, 2010
My question for your ‘about’ section is: “What has music allowed you to do that you’ve most enjoyed?” The wording of that seems a bit odd to me, so to clarify, I’m curious about how the experiences of composing, recording, touring and maybe even being a little bit famous have changed your life. What’s been the best or most memorable moment?
ANSWER 6 | february 3, 2011
QUESTION 5 | from james norman | august 22, 2010
what do you think Love is and what are your experiences
of it?
ANSWER 5 | february 3, 2011
QUESTION 4 | from andrew marshall | august 19, 2010
Your music is so diverse, what are your musical influences? Where there albums that your parents played as you were growing up that inspired you?
ANSWER 4 | february 3, 2011
QUESTION 3 | from bryan ruhe | august 18, 2010
I read somewhere (I think on the insert that came with Music For A Sleeping Sculpture) that you were excited to create music for sleeping because of one record in particular that you really enjoy listening to while falling asleep. Falling asleep to music is one of my very favorite things, so I’m curious – what album were you referencing?
ANSWER 3 | february 3, 2011
QUESTION 2 | from diego fellay | august 18, 2010
How do you feel with the process of creation (when you compose, write, talk or smoke), do you think you’re right?
ANSWER 2 | february 3, 2011
QUESTION 1 | from jana kühl | august 16, 2010
What’s your main inspiration when you’re about to write music?
ANSWER 1 | february 3, 2011