Latest News - May 2009

karl broadie
'branches'

Karl Broadie’s choice of a tree to symbolise his new album, Branches, was a deliberate one.

"The idea of the branches of a tree reaching out represents everything this album is about," Karl said.

"It’s organic, hopeful, about growth and reaching for the sun, but also about what’s gone into that growth — wisdom, experience, tears, pain and a lot of learning and developing."

Branches is Karl’s fourth album. It was produced by Patty Griffin’s producer, Craig Ross, who Karl met after touring Australia with Patty a couple of years back.

"Supporting Patty in late 2007 was inspirational, and early in 2008 I visited her in the US and was introduced to Craig. I realised that he was the right person to produce my next album and I was delighted when he agreed to do it," Karl said.

"It was a life-changing decision. Craig made me realise I had to let go of everything I’d done previously and all my preconceptions and approach this album with a clean slate."

The result is an exquisite collection of intensely personal songs that carry subtle and profound universal messages.

"My music comes from a deep place. It’s very important to me that I’m completely honest in my art," Karl said.

"Some of these songs are very raw, very personal — but they may mean something quite different to another person. And that’s as it should be."

Every track on Branches leaves a profound mark, from the vulnerable honest love expressed in "It’s You" — a song that Karl describes as "a thank you song" — to the dark moments of "Wish" and back to the sheer optimism and exuberance of the first single, "Once in Your Life".

"For me, Once in Your Life says it all. I’m a great believer in grabbing the moment and making the most of it. We pass this way but once," Karl said.

"Once in Your Life" is one of two songs cowritten with Kim Richey during an intensive songwriting trip to the US. In fact, Kim does a wonderful version of this and she’s just recorded it for her own album. She also penned "Drink the Whole Bottle Down" with Karl.

But the positive tracks on Branches are juxtaposed with more disturbing songs — tracks that are both confronting and raw.

One of them is "Angela", a song inspired by Karl’s stepsister who took her own life when he was a child. It’s a song that’s been a long time in the making, and only now has he felt able to express what the event meant for his family.

Karl describes "One Heart Breaking" as being “about knowing something’s got to change, yet understanding that it will affect someone else far more than it does you". "Wish" is another track that is dark and troubled — a song about betrayal. But, like all Karl’s work, it is more complex than that, with threads of hope woven through it.

"Thorn" initially seems to be one thing, but becomes something entirely different due to the jagged twist in the chorus. Appropriately, it’s about things not always being the way you expect them to turn out.

And one of the most fascinating songs on the album is "Tattoo", an edgy, catchy charmer.

"That song has pieces of my life scattered through it, almost randomly. I just wanted to throw it out there — and it makes me smile," Karl said.

It’s impossible to listen to Branches and be left untouched. And that is why Karl Broadie is rapidly gaining a reputation as one of Australia’s most perceptive and sensitive songwriters. His delicate touch and left-of-centre take on life make his music unique — a rare and valuable insight into the human condition and a sheer joy to listen to.

One Heart Breaking
Drink The Whole Bottle Down
It’s You
Tattoo
Once In Your Life
Wish
Thorn
Sight For Sore Eyes
This Lullaby Is Mine
Angela

Branches - Karl Broadie
Available May 1, 2009 through ABC Music / Universal Music