The London duo in Public Service Broadcasting are all about taking listeners on adventures through time and space. Reflecting back on pinacle moments of the world, triumphs and tragedies, PSB craft historical audio clips with an array of both futuristic and vintage musical textures and layers.
PSB’s 2013 debut album title describes their tenants perfectly: Inform-Educate-Entertain, which launched their popularity via the singles “Spitfire,” “London Can Take It” and “Everest.” Now on their second album, The Race for Space, J. Willgoose, Esq. (guitar, banjo, samplers) and Wrigglesworth (drums, piano, samplers) returned to the states for their SXSW appearances and U.S. tour.
Catching them at the British Music Embassy Showcase, I was able to view the visual component (versus the daytime SXSW gig last year) to their multi-sensory theatrics. Willgoose went between banjo and guitar, toying with the knobs and samples while Wrigglesworth swirled the heartbeats of each song, from those popular singles to the new “Go!” track.
While PSB can fall into a sort of cerebral category, the ‘entertain’ aspect of the duo is always at the forefront, giving chance to dance (in space suits) to the horns, beats and bass, and to just take it all in. In a private setting, their beautiful compositions, including the new material from The Race to Space, is perfect for a solo headphone session of escapism.
Staying mute during the entire show, Willgoose pokes fun at this by throwing greeting samples to the crowd between songs, “Thank you South By Southwest,” even having an audio clip ready for when things kind of messed up, and the kids ate it up.
Public Service Broadcasting have remained in the states after SXSW to continuing touring the U.S., starting in Denver Wednesday night, March 25, at Larimer Lounge. Given Sx’s short performance times, it would do you well to experience their full-length show, even if you were able to catch them during SXSW. If you didn’t, now’s your chance.
March 25 – Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge
March 26 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
March 28 – Seattle, WA @ Barboza
March 29 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge
March 31 – San Francisco, CA @ Above DNA
April 2 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy Theatre (w/ Kiev)
April 3 – Chicago, IL @ Schubas Tavern *
April 4 – Toronto, ON @ The Drake Hotel *
April 6 – Ottawa, ON @ The Observatory (Algonquin College) *
April 7 – Montreal, QC @ Le Ritz *
April 8 – Allston, MA @ Great Scott *
April 10 – New York City, NY @ Bowery Ballroom *
April 11 – Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live *
* = Kauf supports
Pick up The Race For Space here:
iTunes: http://found.ee/TheRaceForSpace-iT
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/TheRaceForSpaceAMZ
Official Store: http://store.publicservicebroadcasting.net/
