I've always had a special place in my heart for Broadcast. They reminded me very much of a band I loved in the 1960's. The United States Of America and whose vocalist Dorothy Moskowitz reminded me very much of Trish Keenan, the remarkable talent whose passing today to the complications of pneumonia has left me stunned.
If you listen to mainstream radio, or even some of the edgier radio stations, you may not be familiar with this group. In addition to The United States Of America, they have also been likened to Stereolab, who have had their own fair share of tragedy in recent years. The difference is that Broadcast is probably more closely aligned with the electronic music movements of the 1960s than Stereolab is. And for that reason, I came to cherish their work on a more deeply fundamental basis. I just liked them better.
And then there were the captivating and haunting vocals of Trish Keenan, whose piercing simplicity made the experience that much more memorable. And her tragic loss has made it that much more hard to realize.
There is that air of permanence about recordings - they quietly wait to be discovered. Maybe not today or tomorrow but maybe ten, twenty years from now. I am certain Broadcast and Trish Keenan will be discovered. I am also certain she will not be forgotten.
Tonight's track, According To No Plan is short, sweet and simple. It's offered as a tribute and an invitation to discover more. Please do that.
I'm sure she'd love it if you did.