Broderick he grew up in a small town of Carlton, near Portland, Oregon. Coming from a musical family, he started violin lessons at age 7, and in high school became interested in all different kinds of instruments. He started to play piano, guitar, banjo, mandolin, musical saw, and anything else he could find. After high school he moved to Portland, OR, where he studied music theory and filmmaking. During this time he began to play in multiple bands around town, and was able to establish himself as a regular session musician at various recording studios for artists like M. Ward.
In late 2007 he was miraculously invited by some of his musical heroes, the Danish band Efterklang, to move to Copenhagen and join the live band. So he did, and since then he has toured with the band all around the world, playing hundreds of concerts, and opening many of them as a solo act.
Since this move he has released several solo recordings as well. Starting with a few primarily instrumental, piano-based releases in 2007, then branching out into a completely different world with the more folky ‘Home’ in late 2008, which has all but established Broderick as the young composer to watch – with critical acclaim from music magazines (NME/Mojo/Uncut) and broadsheet press alike. ‘A precociously talented, classically trained multi-instrumentalist’ – The Independent / ‘A songwriter of beguiling depth' #19 Album of 2008 – The Sunday Times
2009 saw his first major release, ‘Music for Falling From Trees’, a 30-minute piece, in seven sections, created for a contemporary dance by London-based choreographer Adrienne Hart (Neon Productions). Adrienne was looking for a score of piano and strings, so he left the guitar and his voice aside and focused entirely on those two timbres. ‘I decided to take this literally and make a rule not to use any other instrument. In the script it called for the sound of a ticking clock. I made this sound by tapping on the body of the violin with my fingernails.’ The dance tells the story of a man in a psychiatric hospital, and his struggle to maintain his identity. The music is sometimes melancholic, sometimes playful, sometimes chaotic, but with the combination of piano and strings, full of beauty, reverence and awe. The dance premièred at The Place, London, on January 21st, 2009.
His album "‘These Walls of Mine" was released in 2012.
Maps
Peter Broderick Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
pack up your bags and move away
again
closer is where you'll be
closer but never quite there
then you realize you
settled in the wrong place again
this open map is all you've got
close your eyes and point to another spot
this time just keep 'em
just keep those eyes closed
don't even look at the spot you just chose
then start to dream
The lyrics of Peter Broderick's song "Maps" talks about the feeling of being in the wrong place, which is a common feeling that most people have experienced at some point in their lives. By recommending to "pack up your bags and move away again," the artist suggests that sometimes the best decision is to take a chance and start over.
The idea of getting closer but never quite being there indicates that success is not necessarily measured by reaching a specific place but by embracing the journey, even if it means making mistakes along the way. The open map acts as a metaphor for life's endless possibilities and opportunities while encouraging listeners to take risks and try new things. At the same time, "Keeping your eyes closed" when choosing a new location is relevant because sometimes we rely too much on what we see instead of following our instincts and taking a leap of faith.
Overall, "Maps" is a beautiful and inspiring song that encourages people to be courageous, take risks, and embrace the journey of life, even if it means accepting occasional mistakes along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
you settled down in the wrong place
You chose the wrong place to call your home, leading to dissatisfaction.
pack up your bags and move away
You need to make a drastic change in your surroundings.
closer is where you'll be
Moving closer to finding the right place, but still not quite there.
closer but never quite there
You are getting closer to what you are searching for, but it still seems out of reach.
then you realize you settled in the wrong place again
After getting closer to your desired place, you realize that you have settled in the wrong place once again.
this open map is all you've got
You only have a map to guide you in your search for the right place.
close your eyes and point to another spot
You must trust your instincts and choose another location without overthinking it.
this time just keep 'em
Keep your eyes closed, do not let external factors influence your decision.
don't even look at the spot you just chose
Do not second guess yourself and accept the choice you have made.
then start to dream
Allow yourself to imagine and plan your future in the new place, giving you a sense of purpose and excitement.
Contributed by Taylor S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.