Peter Broderick has a new animated video from Chad VanGaalen for the song “Ode To Blackberry.” The Oregon-born singer-songwriter currently resides in Ireland with his family, and his LP Blackberry, out this past August on Erased Tapes, is the musician’s first vocal record in five years. Having released over twenty solo recordings in the last thirteen years, while also working on the archives of Arthur Russell, Broderick’s newest solo effort looks to the humble fruit of his youth as a symbol of resiliency.
Discussing the track, he explains:
“It is with all seriousness and great reverence that this album is named Blackberry. In a time when us humans are coming face to face with the impact of our actions on the environment at large, I strongly advocate for engaging with our local landscapes. When I first became obsessed with foraging edible wild plants a few years back, I wasn’t particularly excited about the humble blackberry, but I would soon return with great passion to this familiar fruit of my youth. Even in our most urban environments, the gnarled and resilient blackberry vines continue to weave themselves throughout, as if to keep reminding us where we come from.”
The video for “Ode To Blackberry” was animated by artist and musician Chad VanGaalen. He offers:
“Peter presented me with this song in the spring. I thought about how lucky I was to respond visually to such a peaceful message. Out west the blackberry symbolizes a freedom and that freedom exists within this song.”
