Penny Broadhurst
Encyclopedia
Penny Broadhurst was a British pop
singer, songwriter
, writer
and former spoken word
artist from the north of England. She listed Kate Bush
, Doctor Who
, Prefab Sprout
, Lloyd Cole
, Belle & Sebastian
, Kirsty MacColl
and The Smiths
among her many influences. She ceased all use of this name for creative work in late 2009 and has changed her name in private life.
in 1998. A self-confessed pop music fan and karaoke queen, her performances of acerbic and witty vocal narratives and Steps songs, delivered in a broad Yorkshire accent and often accompanied by pop and rock music, were frequently compared to that of a pop star rather than a poet. Her first album of spoken word with music, Blue Bank got radio play on BBC 6 Music, and the NME
declared "...You can't mosh
to poetry, but if you could, then you'd mosh to this."
Forsaking the poetry circuit for gigs supporting bands and comedians, she gradually moved away from using just the spoken word, and began to write and sing her own pop songs and dance routines, working with producers Ed Heaton, Pete Warterman and Si McGrath of Hightone Productions. Clint Boon of Radio Xfm
Manchester said of her songs : "She's unsigned, but she sounds like an established act to me. I can see why she calls herself the Queen of Pop."
She has appeared at Ladyfest
around the UK and literary festivals including Off The Shelf and Ilkley Literature Festival
. She is a member of the Yorkshire young writers' initiative The Writing Squad, funded by the Arts Council
. In Summer 2005 she played at Glastonbury
and in 2005 and 2006 at the Truck
festival. She has also recently appeared at other festivals including Latitude Festival
(2006 and 2007), Wireless Festival
(2007), Solfest
(2007) and Indietracks (2008) and made a television appearance on BBC Look North'and 'The One Show'.
As well as having radio play on BBC Radio 1
, BBC 6 Music
, and Radio Magnetic in the UK (on their playlist), Penny Broadhurst's work has been broadcast on FM4
in Austria, Slovakia and other local and international stations. Her songs have also been featured on Xfm
and Dandelion Radio
.
Penny Broadhurst was based in Leeds
, but regularly performed at venues throughout the UK.
as "a tribute to the Myspace and blogging generation" and another demo track, "London". It was accompanied by the following instructions:
Her first EP, Allons-y!, which featured more demo tracks, was released on Killer Disc Records on 24 September 2007. in a limited edition run of CDs, which were numbered and signed. This included a different mix of "London" from the mix on the free single, which is now no longer available for download. The title is the French for "Let's go!", which reflects the tone of the EP and is also a common utterance by the Tenth Doctor as played by David Tennant
in Doctor Who
.
Her most recent EP, 'Sparkle The Dark', included a mixture of both solo and band tracks (as Penny Broadhurst & The Maffickers) and an accompanying booklet of short stories based on the lyrics to "The End" by several writers: Broadhurst herself, Danny Broderick, Robert Shearman, Danny Broderick, Benjamin Adams
and Swithun Cooper.
Both EPs sold out.
"London" (download only) Released January 2007 by Killer Disc Records, Leeds
.
Lyrics by Penny Broadhurst, music by Broadhurst/Heaton/Mcgrath.
EP Released 23 September 2007 by Killer Disc Records, Leeds
Allons-y!
EP Released December 2008 by Mafficker Press, Leeds
Sparkle The Dark
Penny Broadhurst's first printed collection of poetry and lyrics, That Way Out (ISBN 0-9549684-1-7), was published on 25 August 2006 by Killer Question with photography by Danny North
. This brings together previously unpublished material as well as some of the lyrics recorded for the spoken word album Blue Bank and other words and lyrics originally published in X magazine, Parameter, Brittle Star, Citizen 32 and Leeds Guide.
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
singer, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and former spoken word
Spoken word
Spoken word is a form of poetry that often uses alliterated prose or verse and occasionally uses metered verse to express social commentary. Traditionally it is in the first person, is from the poet’s point of view and is themed in current events....
artist from the north of England. She listed Kate Bush
Kate Bush
Kate Bush is an English singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Her eclectic musical style and idiosyncratic vocal style have made her one of the United Kingdom's most successful solo female performers of the past 30 years.In 1978, at the age of 19, Bush topped the UK Singles Chart...
, Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
, Prefab Sprout
Prefab Sprout
Prefab Sprout are an alternative English pop rock band from Witton Gilbert, County Durham, England who rose to fame during the 1980s. Eight of their albums have reached the Top 40 in the UK Albums Chart, and one of their singles, "The King of Rock 'n' Roll", peaked at number seven in the UK...
, Lloyd Cole
Lloyd Cole
Lloyd Cole is an English singer and songwriter, known for his role as lead singer of Lloyd Cole and the Commotions from 1984 to 1989, and for his subsequent solo work.-Early life:...
, Belle & Sebastian
Belle & Sebastian
Belle and Sebastian are an indie pop band formed in Glasgow in January 1996. Belle and Sebastian are often compared with influential indie bands such as The Smiths, as well as classic acts such as Love, Bob Dylan and Nick Drake. The name Belle & Sebastian comes from Belle et Sébastien, a 1965...
, Kirsty MacColl
Kirsty MacColl
Kirsty Anna MacColl was an English singer-songwriter.MacColl scored several pop hits from the early 1980s to the early 1990s...
and The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
among her many influences. She ceased all use of this name for creative work in late 2009 and has changed her name in private life.
Career
Penny Broadhurst first started performing her own material as a spoken word performer when she was a student in NorwichNorwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
in 1998. A self-confessed pop music fan and karaoke queen, her performances of acerbic and witty vocal narratives and Steps songs, delivered in a broad Yorkshire accent and often accompanied by pop and rock music, were frequently compared to that of a pop star rather than a poet. Her first album of spoken word with music, Blue Bank got radio play on BBC 6 Music, and the NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
declared "...You can't mosh
Mosh
Moshing is a dance in which participants push or slam into each other. They also flail their limbs to breakdowns of hardcore punk and its sub-genres. It is most associated with aggressive music genres, such as hardcore punk and heavy metal...
to poetry, but if you could, then you'd mosh to this."
Forsaking the poetry circuit for gigs supporting bands and comedians, she gradually moved away from using just the spoken word, and began to write and sing her own pop songs and dance routines, working with producers Ed Heaton, Pete Warterman and Si McGrath of Hightone Productions. Clint Boon of Radio Xfm
Xfm
Xfm is a brand of two commercial radio stations focused on alternative music, primarily indie pop, and owned by Global Radio.-History:Xfm was created in London in 1992 by Sammy Jacob, who later co-founded NME Radio in 2008. Xfm subsequently expanded to a network of four stations; there are...
Manchester said of her songs : "She's unsigned, but she sounds like an established act to me. I can see why she calls herself the Queen of Pop."
She has appeared at Ladyfest
Ladyfest
Ladyfest is a community-based, not-for-profit global music and arts festival for female artists that features bands, musical groups, performance artists, authors, spoken word and visual artists, films, lectures, art exhibitions and workshops; it is organized by volunteers. The first ever Ladyfest...
around the UK and literary festivals including Off The Shelf and Ilkley Literature Festival
Ilkley Literature Festival
The Ilkley Literature Festival is the north of England's oldest and largest literature festival.-Introduction:The Ilkley Literature Festival is an annual event in the spa town of Ilkley and has become one of the UK's top arts festivals...
. She is a member of the Yorkshire young writers' initiative The Writing Squad, funded by the Arts Council
Arts Council England
Arts Council England was formed in 1994 when the Arts Council of Great Britain was divided into three separate bodies for England, Scotland and Wales. It is a non-departmental public body of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport...
. In Summer 2005 she played at Glastonbury
Glastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
and in 2005 and 2006 at the Truck
Truck Festival
Truck Festival is an annual independent music festival in Oxfordshire, England. It was started in 1998 by the Bennett family , who decided that mainstream festivals such as Glastonbury had become too commercial and predictable. It is held in July at Hill Farm in Steventon, near Abingdon...
festival. She has also recently appeared at other festivals including Latitude Festival
Latitude Festival
The Latitude Festival is an annual music festival that takes place in Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk, England. It was first held in July 2006....
(2006 and 2007), Wireless Festival
Wireless Festival
The Wireless Festival is a music festival in England that takes place every year in Hyde Park, London, and took place at Harewood House, Leeds in 2006 and 2007. It is owned and managed by Live Nation....
(2007), Solfest
Solfest
Solfest is a Cumbrian arts organisation which runs an annual music festival held near to Silloth in Cumbria, England. It is held annually at Tarnside Farm on the August Bank Holiday weekend.- Solway Festival :...
(2007) and Indietracks (2008) and made a television appearance on BBC Look North'and 'The One Show'.
As well as having radio play on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
, BBC 6 Music
BBC 6 Music
BBC 6 Music is one of the BBC's digital radio stations, was launched on 11 March 2002 and originally codenamed Network Y. It was the first national music radio station to be launched by the BBC in 32 years....
, and Radio Magnetic in the UK (on their playlist), Penny Broadhurst's work has been broadcast on FM4
FM4
FM4 is an Austrian national radio station, operated by the ORF. Its main target is the youth audience, and much of the music output is characterised by an alternative rock and electronic music slant....
in Austria, Slovakia and other local and international stations. Her songs have also been featured on Xfm
Xfm
Xfm is a brand of two commercial radio stations focused on alternative music, primarily indie pop, and owned by Global Radio.-History:Xfm was created in London in 1992 by Sammy Jacob, who later co-founded NME Radio in 2008. Xfm subsequently expanded to a network of four stations; there are...
and Dandelion Radio
Dandelion Radio
Dandelion Radio is an internet radio station founded in June 2006 with the aim of pursuing the musical legacy of the popular and influential BBC Radio 1 disk jockey John Peel...
.
Penny Broadhurst was based in Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, but regularly performed at venues throughout the UK.
Recordings
In January 2005 she released a demo MP3 single for free download of two tracks. "LJaded" - described by The GuardianThe Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
as "a tribute to the Myspace and blogging generation" and another demo track, "London". It was accompanied by the following instructions:
"Download the MP3s, burn a CD, download the artwork, print it out, stick it in a jewel case and hey presto! A Penny Broadhurst single."
Her first EP, Allons-y!, which featured more demo tracks, was released on Killer Disc Records on 24 September 2007. in a limited edition run of CDs, which were numbered and signed. This included a different mix of "London" from the mix on the free single, which is now no longer available for download. The title is the French for "Let's go!", which reflects the tone of the EP and is also a common utterance by the Tenth Doctor as played by David Tennant
David Tennant
David Tennant is a Scottish actor. In addition to his work in theatre, including a widely praised Hamlet, Tennant is best known for his role as the tenth incarnation of the Doctor in Doctor Who, along with the title role in the 2005 TV serial Casanova and as Barty Crouch, Jr...
in Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
.
Her most recent EP, 'Sparkle The Dark', included a mixture of both solo and band tracks (as Penny Broadhurst & The Maffickers) and an accompanying booklet of short stories based on the lyrics to "The End" by several writers: Broadhurst herself, Danny Broderick, Robert Shearman, Danny Broderick, Benjamin Adams
Benjamin Adams
Benjamin Adams was an American lawyer and politician. Adams was born in Mendon, Massachusetts in 1764. Benjamin Adams grew up in Mendon, which was then a rural agricultural community...
and Swithun Cooper.
Both EPs sold out.
Track List
Demo"London" (download only) Released January 2007 by Killer Disc Records, Leeds
.
- "London (Jeff Lynne Superstar)"
- "LJaded"
Lyrics by Penny Broadhurst, music by Broadhurst/Heaton/Mcgrath.
EP Released 23 September 2007 by Killer Disc Records, Leeds
Allons-y!
- "Give It Up"
- "Chemist Goods"
- "LJaded"
- "London (Klar Mix)"
EP Released December 2008 by Mafficker Press, Leeds
Sparkle The Dark
- "The End"
- "Ragbag Song"
- "Cut Dead" (cover of a song by The Jesus and Mary ChainThe Jesus and Mary ChainThe Jesus and Mary Chain are a Scottish alternative rock band formed in East Kilbride, Glasgow in 1983. The band revolves around the songwriting partnership of brothers Jim and William Reid...
) - "Guess Who I've Messed With (live acoustic radio session)"
Published works
That Way OutPenny Broadhurst's first printed collection of poetry and lyrics, That Way Out (ISBN 0-9549684-1-7), was published on 25 August 2006 by Killer Question with photography by Danny North
Danny North
Daniel Jamie "Danny" North is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Irish club Sligo Rovers.North started his professional career with home town club Grimsby Town in 2004...
. This brings together previously unpublished material as well as some of the lyrics recorded for the spoken word album Blue Bank and other words and lyrics originally published in X magazine, Parameter, Brittle Star, Citizen 32 and Leeds Guide.