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In this episode of Bandsplain, host Yasi Salek is joined by writer Harry Tafoya to deep-dive into the cult English band Broadcast. They trace the group's journey from Trish Keenan and James Cargill meeting at a 1960s psychedelic revival night in Birmingham in 1993, through their evolution across foundational releases like The Noise Made by People and Ha Ha Sound, to their masterpiece, Tender Buttons. The discussion explores Broadcast's signature sound, which combined wobbly vintage electronics, cinematic samples, automatic writing, and Keenan's icy, disembodied vocals. Salek and Tafoya examine how the band built a vast, immersive universe inspired by Eastern European avant-garde cinema, folk horror, and obscure library music, culminating in an appreciation of their enduring, haunting legacy following Keenan's tragic death in 2011.
Yasi Salek welcomes listeners and introduces the show and guest Harry Tafoya.
Harry explains his deep, almost parasocial relationship with the cult band Broadcast.
The conversation turns to Trish Keenan’s upbringing, family background, and early musical influences.
The discussion covers Broadcast’s signing to Warp, their EP releases, and performances at the Phoenix Festival.
The hosts discuss how Broadcast formed, their early demo recordings, and signing with Warlitzer Jukebox.
Harry and Yasi dissect Broadcast’s debut single, its use of samples, and the band’s sonic aesthetic.
The hosts analyze how critics labeled Broadcast and compare their sound to contemporaries like Stereolab and Portishead.
The conversation turns to the band’s later releases, the difficulties in working with producers, and their evolving sound.
Harry explains the band’s deep influences from 60s psychedelia, Joe Meek, and their obsessive record‑collecting culture.
The hosts discuss the pre‑algorithm era of record collecting and the personal impact of record store clerks.
Exploration of how Broadcast’s albums were created, including lineup changes and their collaborative, experimental approach.
Discussion of Broadcast’s fascination with film scores and how they translate cinematic moods into their songs.
Review of how Broadcast’s releases were received by critics, Metacritic scores, and their chart positions.
Details on the recording techniques used on the Ha Ha Sound album, including unique vocal setups and church acoustics.
The band’s shift to a more focused, minimal sound on their final album, Tender Buttons, and the influence of Gertrude Stein.
Debate over AI-generated lyrics versus human automatic writing and the value of personal creative processes.
Concluding thoughts on the band’s influence, member changes, and the enduring impact of their experimental work.
The hosts discuss a haunting experience in an old house, linking it to personal grief and the influence of Trish Keenan’s loss of her father.
They explore how music, especially Broadcast’s work, serves as a therapeutic force during moments of dissociation and grief.
Algorithmic versus Hyperlink Erasinsight
Harry Tafoya defines the difference between millennials and Gen Z as hyperlink versus algorithm, describing his own discovery of Broadcast as a gradual, self-directed rabbit hole.
Psychedelia as Self-Helpinsight
Trish Keenan discovered psychedelia and felt it possessed self-help properties that helped her drop an immobilizing working-class pride.
Dichotomy of Broadcast's Soundinsight
Mikey IQ Jones notes that Broadcast's early songs displayed a strident confidence, drawing parallels to the cult psych band United States of America.
Recording Inside Cardboard Boxesstrategy
Trish Keenan recorded many vocal tracks with her head inside a cardboard box to achieve a specific closeness and deadness in the mix.
Crosswords Inspiring Lyricsstory
Trish Keenan explains how solving crossword puzzles while caring for her dying father inspired the cryptic lyrics and themes of the song America's Boy.
“And I don't think I've had that with really anyone else.”
“I, I just, it's the only album I ever had experience with.”
“in a way that leaves more space for you to sort of fill in your emotional response to the songs.”
“I've had a crazy life. I was brought up by a prostitute.”
“It's actually kind of looking like shit, but like in a very elevated way.”
“And the reverse process applies. You watch a film and start thinking about the sort of music that would suit it.”
“He was really hands‑on. While we'd be marking things up with a pencil, we were so rigid about how we would mix, but you learn to accept errors.”
“Retro is a tricky word. It hints of a lack of innovation, of under‑inspired kitsch.”
“Not since The Wicker Man has a soundtrack occupied my mind like Valerie and Her Week of Wonders.”
“Where Youth and Laughter Go is a secret feed Zassun poem.”
Yasi is joined by art and music writer Harry Tafoya to shed some light on the mysterious and enchanting cult favorite Broadcast. They dive into the band’s Birmingham roots, the inspiration that led to their hypnotizing signature sound, vocalist Trish Keenan’s enigmatic delivery and lyricism, and their lasting legacy. Subscribe on YouTube. CREDITS:Host: Yasi SalekGuest: Harry Tafoya @harrytafoyaProducer: Rob SundermannEditor: Adrian BridgesAdditional Production Supervision: Justin SaylesTheme Song: Bethany CosentinoLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
29,317 words · 4 speakers
Speaker names marked are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.
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