Peter Broderick (b. 20 Jan 1987 in Portland, Oregon) is a US musician and c… Read Full Bio ↴Peter Broderick (b. 20 Jan 1987 in Portland, Oregon) is a US musician and composer. He has been a member of Efterklang. He played and/or toured with several ensembles including Horse Feathers, M. Ward, She & Him, Norfolk & Western and Laura Gibson. His solo work is quite varied, but is often grounded by piano and/or strings.

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.

On Time
Peter Broderick Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Faces, in the paper, in the story of your life
Places, in your memory, in the park or in the car
Names, names, some are the same, some are just too much the same
Shame, shame, shame on you and shame on me and this old time

Shame on this old time
Shame on this old time

Pieces, move to comfort in disorganization
Reason, drawing fiction into faith at every turn
Fall, fall, to conclusions as they gather and disperse
Call, call, call on you and call on me and this old time

Call on this old time
Call on this old time

Shame on this old time
Shame on this old time

Overall Meaning

These lyrics seem to delve into themes of introspection, reflection, and the passage of time. The first stanza evokes a sense of familiarity, as the singer mentions faces, places, and names. This suggests that these elements play a significant role in the story of one's life. However, the repetition of the word "same" implies a certain monotony or lack of uniqueness in these experiences. The mention of shame suggests that there may be regrets or negative emotions associated with these recurring patterns.

The repetition of the phrase "shame on this old time" in the following two lines emphasizes a dissatisfaction or disappointment with the passage of time. It conveys a sense of blame or responsibility for not making the most of the opportunities presented by the past. This could be interpreted as a call for personal growth and seizing new experiences, rather than remaining trapped in repetitive cycles.

The subsequent stanza shifts the focus to the concept of disorganization and the idea that comfort can be found within chaos or disorder. The mention of reason drawing fiction into faith implies that the singer finds solace in weaving together stories or narratives, even if they may not align with objective reality. This could suggest a tendency to find meaning and purpose in one's own interpretations of events and circumstances.

The repeated use of the words "fall" and "call" in the next lines suggests a continuous cycle of reaching conclusions and seeking validation or connection. There is an implication that these actions both bring people together and scatter them apart. The phrase "call on you and call on me and this old time" may hint at a desire for mutual support or a search for understanding amidst the constant flux of life.

The repeated phrases "call on this old time" and "shame on this old time" further highlight the frustration and introspection regarding the passage of time. These lyrics suggest a yearning for change, growth, and breaking free from the repetitive patterns that have become ingrained in one's existence.

Overall, these lyrics seem to explore the complexities of personal experiences and the individual's role in shaping and navigating the passage of time. They touch on themes of familiarity, shame, introspection, and the desire for growth and change.

Line by Line Meaning

Faces, in the paper, in the story of your life
The images of people, seen in newspapers and narrated in the events of your life

Places, in your memory, in the park or in the car
Locations stored in your mind, whether it be a park or a car

Names, names, some are the same, some are just too much the same
Repeated names, some identical, others resembling each other too closely

Shame, shame, shame on you and shame on me and this old time
Expressing disapproval and guilt towards both oneself and others, blaming the passage of time

Shame on this old time
Disapproving of the passing of time

Pieces, move to comfort in disorganization
Fragmented elements seeking solace in chaos and disorder

Reason, drawing fiction into faith at every turn
The process of rationalizing, transforming stories into beliefs continuously

Fall, fall, to conclusions as they gather and disperse
Rushing to decisions as they come together and then scatter

Call, call, call on you and call on me and this old time
Requesting assistance from both yourself and others, blaming the passage of time

Call on this old time
Seeking help from the passing of time

Shame on this old time
Disapproving of the passing of time

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: PETER BRODERICK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS