Broads: Animated video fro ‘Climbs’ + ‘Tiamat-3’ EP – Humm Recordings

British electronic duo Broads have revealed their new video for ‘Climbs’ feat. Milly Hirst, the lead track off their 11-track album ‘Field Theory’. This is well timed with the low key release of their new ‘Tiamat+3’ EP. Not long ago, the band also unveiled a new video for ‘Us & The Buzzing’.

The new video for ‘Climbs’ featured animation created by Tara Jane Peak, who notes, ‘I really loved the build up of the song, so I wanted to reflect that. For me, the process was very experimental and abstract, with the music guiding the pace. Working with these guys was awesome and super fun. I really enjoy their music and hope they make more!’

Mainstays of the Norwich music scene, Broads are James Ferguson and Mark Jennings. They deliver a variety of music – always delicious – ranging from synth-pop bliss to a hybrid fusion of genres straddling the divide between ambient drone, post-rock and shoegaze. Broads takes a fascinating approach with this album, tastefully showcasing completely different sides of their musical spectrum.

Broads’ new album is deliciously diverse as far as electronica goes. ‘Climbs’ recalls Melody’s Echo Chamber and Broadcast, while ‘The Lecht’ brings to mind both Mogwai and Boards of Canada. ‘Mixed Ability Sequencing’ most strongly aligns with My Bloody Valentine andSlowdive, leaving you hanging with less than minute of pure guitar reverie, while ‘Habitats’ brings the duo delightfully close to New Orderterritory.

After several releases as a solo artist, James Ferguson says Broads’ dynamics started to change with the release of the ‘Hellas’ LP (Jan 2016), undergoing a kind of sonic breakthrough with Mark now joining James for live shows and co-writing one of its tracks ‘Soft Homo’ – the first time Broads had really arrived at their now-signature sound, marrying droning, lo-fi synths and slow build through repetition with straightforward electronics.

Broads started to perform more around Norwich and occasionally in Cambridge, Suffolk and London. By the time Broads released their split album ‘Local Closures’ with Mark’s other project EPIA, they were opening for Mercury Rev at the Norwich Arts Centre, followed soon after by Broads’ third album ‘Everything is Spinning, Nobody Is Actually In Charge’ (December 2016) with Mark and James once again co-writing.

Some very cool developments were happening for the duo, including work on a live soundtrack for the British Film Institute – composing for a sequence of archive film footage of rural/agricultural Norfolk scenes, and performing live in beautiful venues across the region – as well as a sold-out gig at the NAC with Plaid.

Broads took inspiration from left field on this album from road biking in the Scottish Highlands to news of George Romero’s death, Purity Ring’s second album and Unwound’s ‘New Plastic Ideas’, as well as lot of old sci-fi and horror movies.

Broads release their ‘Field Theory’ album is available via Humm Recordings via online stores and streaming platforms, as is their new ‘Tiamat+3′ EP and entire back catalogue is also available via Broads’ own Bandcamp. Broads next performs in London on May 31 at The Dublin Castle (Camden), on June 2 at the Long Division Festival in Wakefield, and on June 3 at Louis Marchesi in their hometown of Norwich.

01. Toze

02. Climbs

03. Habitats

04. Lund

05. Us and the Buzzing

06. Romero

07. Let Me Take It From Here

08. Tiamat

09. Mixed Ability Sequencing

10. The Lecht

11. Built Calypso

CREDITS

Music by Broads (James Ferguson/Mark Jennings)

Lyrics on ‘Climbs’ by James Ferguson and Milly Hirst

Performed by James Ferguson and Mark Jennings, with help from Milly Hirst (vocals), Connie Chatwin (violin), Fifi Homan (cello), Joe Bear (drums), Stacy Gow (drums), Owen Turner (bass, horns) & FMSAO (electronics)

Produced by Broads & Owen Turner

Artwork by Paul Escott

Live Photos by Matt Tullett

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