Baby Genius

[December 12th, 2007]

Peter Broderick is the embodiment of “gifted.” A true multi-instrumentalist, he can be heard playing everything from piano and violin to saw and theremin on records by everyone from Laura Gibson, Loch Lomond and Dolorean to Norfolk & Western and his own chamber-folk outfit (with Justin Ringle and sister Heather Broderick), Horse Feathers. Now, after touring Europe as a supplemental member of Danish electro/chamber-rock band Efterklang, Broderick returns home to release his first solo full-length, Float—not to mention record Horse Feathers’ sophomore album, set for release on legendary Olympia label Kill Rock Stars. Since the 20-year-old Oregon native is so darn busy, WW caught up with him via email from a cross-country European train.

WW : How did you first discover Efterklang?
Broderick: I first heard Efterklang in a friend’s car in 2005...an album called Tripper. It became one of my very favorite albums. I was obsessed with the group. 

From there, what led to touring with them?
It’s a ridiculous story.... Sometime at the beginning of 2006 I requested Efterklang as a (gasp) MySpace friend. I didn’t send them a message, but the lead vocalist actually took the time to listen to my music and sent me a nice little note saying he liked it. I freaked out and asked if I could mail them some CDs. Then, when they were looking for a new violinist to tour with them, they just threw this wild idea out there, and I think I responded within 15 minutes saying something to the effect of, “YES!!!!! THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING MORE I WOULD RATHER DO IN THIS WORLD!!!! THIS SOUNDS LIKE A COMPLETE DREAM COME TRUE TO ME!!! AHHHHHHHH!!!” And here I am, taking a train between Gothenburg and Copenhagen on one of my last days off before going home for Christmas!

What does Efterklang mean?
Directly translated, it means “after-noise,” but more loosely, “reverberation.” 

How big is the band in Europe?
When I first got here, we had a full-on music-video shoot out at a military base for an entire day, with one of the most popular film directors in Denmark, and there were children actors and tons of explosives and everything!

What do you get out of playing with Efterklang that’s different from your Portland bands?
Well, it’s an eight-person band, and almost everyone is singing and playing at least a few different instruments, so it feels more like a chamber ensemble. But it’s also the most “rockin’” band I’ve played in.

Can you describe your best and worst moments on the road in Europe so far?
Best: Having a day off in Madrid and eating wayyyyyy too much amazing food. Driving through the Norwegian countryside. Going out to a local DJ after our show in Norrköping and dancing my ass off! Staying with a family in Manchester who was coincidentally putting up Akron/Family the same night, and having a ridiculous jam session with them until about 5 in the morning. Worst: Being put up in gorgeous hotels, not getting there until 2 am and having to leave at 6 am! Not being able to speak Danish!!! Crying in my bed in Glasgow because I missed my cat (OK, I’d had a little too much whisky...).

What was your reaction when you found out that Horse Feathers’ sophomore full-length would be released on Kill Rock Stars?
I really think of that label to be completely legendary, so it’s really hard to believe we’re actually working with them. And humbling.

“Melancholy” could describe your solo music, yet you have a helluva lot to be excited about.
Someone wrote a really nice review of my show in London. He called [my music] “melancholic yet inspiring.” Even though [it’s] kind of sad sounding, there is a great deal of hope in it as well.

You’re about to turn 21. How does it feel to be the “kid” among most of the musicians you play with?
They tease me a little. Adam [Selzer] and Rachel [Blumberg, of Norfolk & Western] used to call me “The Whipper!” for whippersnapper. But it’s all in good fun, and I think I’ve been very fortunate to have a lot of adults actually treat me as one of them. Sometimes I like being the young one, but mostly I feel ready to just get it over with. It’s been a pain in the ass being under the drinking age in the U.S., just for touring, and for my (lack of) social life. I find it quite ironic that I’ll be in Europe when I turn 21.