Heather Woods Broderick has only released two full-length solo albums over the past six years, but she is a very prolific musician. Beyond her solo career, she has been a member of Efterklang, Horse Feathers and Loch Lomond, also while part of the backing bands of Sharon Van Etten, Laura Gibson, and Alela Diane. However, Heather is not the only working musician in the Broderick clan as her brother Peter is also an active sideman, and as learned within our Q&A, both of her parents gigged regularly.
On Saturday, Dec. 19, Heather will be playing at The Mercury Lounge alongside Jesse Marchant. Interestingly, the two had played together at the same venue a few months back in June. Heather is touring in support of her 2015 album Glider, as released through Western Vinyl, which she began writing in 2011.
Beyond providing some great answers, Heather also has the distinction of providing an interesting list of lesser-known albums to check out. In the meantime, Heather can be tracked online at www.heatherwoodsbroderick.com.
Photo: Dusdin Condren
There have been a lot of great Brodericks throughout history: the actor Matthew, Chris from Megadeth and Damien the author, to name a few. Do you have a favorite Broderick?
Heather Woods Broderick: Wow, well until just now, I was only aware of Matthew Broderick, so I think I’ll have to do some research.
What do you wish more people knew about Heather Woods Broderick?
H: This isn’t really a wish of mine, but I never mind people asking me something if they’d like to know.
How would you describe Glider to someone who hasn’t heard it before?
H: I might say something like Glider is a collection of lyrically-reflective songs set in washy textural soundscapes…? It’s always hard to describe your own music.
You’ve played as a backing musician to a lot of people. Is that something you enjoy doing? Or does that usually come out of necessity with regards to making a living?
H: I really enjoy playing other people’s music. I started playing in bands when I was about 17 and have always been up for playing a little bit of everything, so it’s been fun to do that in different projects over the years.
Your brother is also a sideman and a solo artist. Were your parents also musicians?
H: Yes. My parents met in Washington State when my mom was playing a weekly slot at a local bar. We grew up with a lot of music in the house, whether they were playing or just listening to LPs after dinner in the living room. They’ve always been really encouraging.
Will there ever be a Broderick family album?
H: Team Love actually released a 10” called Broderick & Broderick a while back. Peter sort of secretly recorded my dad playing some of his songs on the guitar in Berlin some years back, and then added other instrumentation to it. I also sing on one song.
Your Mercury Lounge show is the end of your upcoming tour with Jesse Marchant. What is your daily routine like once you come home from a tour?
H: It usually takes a couple of quiet days before I’m ready to get back into the routine of seeing friends, working, etc.
What do you remember about your first-ever trip to New York City?
H: I remember feeling like I loved it of the first three days and then feeling like I really wanted to get out of there.
Do you have a favorite restaurant or bar in New York?
H: Achilles Heel (180 West St., Brooklyn) was my neighborhood spot for a long time. It’s a nice cozy spot with good drinks and snacks.
When you’re not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?
H: I like to spend a lot of time at the coast. I also enjoy reading, exercising, and drawing.
Do you have a favorite album of 2015?
H: I can never pick a favorite, but here are a few I listened to a lot — in no particular order and none of which were actually released in 2015:
- Stina Nordenstam – The World Is Saved
- Nina Simone – Nina Simone And Piano
- Dragging An Ox Through Water – Panic Sentry
- Grouper – Ruins
- Chet Baker – Chet Baker Sings
- The Durutti Column – The Return Of Durutti Column
- Greg Haines – Where We Were
- Alex Cobb – Marigold And Cable
- Gareth Dickson – Invisible String
- Shifting Sands – Feel
- Joni Mitchell – Hejira
Finally, Heather, any last words for the kids?
H: Exercise attention spans.
-by Darren Paltrowitz
