The Preservation label presents From The Ground, the debut album from Portland, Oregon’s Heather Woods Broderick. Growing up in the relative quiet of the Maine countryside while learning a range of instruments and being sung to sleep by her parents playing folk songs, natural and rural sounds became central to Heather’s sense of song, falling into a deeply personal realm.
The subtlety and nuance in Heather’s music also comes from her inclination towards ambient and experimental sounds, conjuring atmosphere equally with the striking melodies at the core of her songs. It'’s also allowed for three gorgeous instrumentals to flow seamlessly alongside Heather’'s songs on this album. The songs on From The Ground hang then blossom, unfurling slowly to reveal disarming feelings through her spirited soul of a voice gliding above the swirling beauty of her music. Rich and resonant, there’s a veritable ensemble of instruments at play, including piano, guitar, celeste, flute, glockenspiel, mandolin and more. Lending his intuitive sensibility to From The Ground is Heather’s brother Peter Broderick, who has already gained great notice in his short career for works of similar scope. Peter recorded and mixed the album as well as playing throughout. Much of the album was made while the pair toured with Danish group Efterklang over several months. They also comprise two-thirds of Kill Rock Stars group Horse Feathers. Heather has also performed or recorded with the likes of Blitzen Trapper and M Ward. (label info)