Band

Broken Social Scene

Mapped through Indie rock influences; 6 albums in the Staimusic archive; upcoming live dates.

Broken Social Scene
Biography

Broken Social Scene: history and sound

Broken Social Scene is a Canadian indie rock band, a musical collective including as few as six and as many as nineteen members, formed in 1999 by Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning. Broken Social Scene has some of the best songs in town! With eclectic melodies and honest lyrics, this indie rock collective knows just how to tap into their listeners' hearts. If you're looking for a soundtrack to your week, you won't find something more uplifting than the classics brought to us by Broken Social Scene. From Cause = Time to 7/4 Shoreline, these contagious tunes never fail to draw a smile. Now go check them out--you won't be disappointed!
Exploring the Magical World of Broken Social Scene - An Anthology of Their Best Music and Iconic Performances
Broken Social Scene is an acclaimed Canadian indie-rock collective, founded by Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning in 1999. After releasing several hit albums, their music has been rightly described as symphonic pop, both in terms of the range of instruments they use and the musical energy they generate. The band's open-door policy has resulted in them inviting a dozen or so members to join in on some tracks, providing a raw, experimental, and truly collaborative flavor that is often missing in conventional bands. This blog post endeavors to present a comprehensive portrayal of the journey and significance of Broken Social Scene, highlighting their accomplishments, their best songs, and their genre-defying style.
To start with, Broken Social Scene's music can be tough to categorize because of the sheer amount of experimentation with different genres and influences. However, their signature sound is a hazy wall of sound, slowly building up lush musical landscapes with elaborate layers of electric guitar loops, strings, horns, and percussion. Their early works like ‘You Forgot It In People' (2002) and ‘Broken Social Scene' (2005) cemented their reputation as one of the most prominent acts of Canada’s indie rock scene, providing an archetype for post-millennial indie groups with their unique approach to pop music.
One of the band's most prominent tracks is Anthems For A Seventeen-Year-Old Girl, a triumph in indie melancholia that captures the essence of teenage angst. 7/4 Shoreline is the other most streamed track, with its catchy rhythm, soaring energy, and uplifting brass section. Cause=Time, found on the same album, showcases a seamless guitar riff that punctuates a running commentary on dysfunctional relationships. The band's most recent album, ‘Hug of Thunder’ released in 2017, saw them remaining true to their sound and roots, while also pushing towards fresher music horizons.
Broken Social Scene concerts have always been quite the experience, with back-to-back tracks that amplify in energy and intensity as the night shifts gears. The band shows are full of spirit, always involving homegrown acts, cover songs, and thrilling stagecraft, making each show an immersive experience. In 2006, Broken Social Scene held a three-night residency at the esteemed Massey Hall, featuring a rotating lineup of guests like Feist, Amy Millan, Emily Haines, and others. The performance was a mini-retrospective of their works up to that point and a prelude to their later works.
Critics seem to agree that Brooklyn Social Scene is worth listening to, and even worth saluting. Not shy of praise, The Rolling Stone says it sounds like life, describing the band’s work as post-rock maximalism, indie rock melodicism, and chamber pop sincerity. PopMatters added Propelled by the sheer like-ability of the band as a unit, one can imagine Broken Social Scene throwing a party that every cool kid in town would kill to attend, but they’d probably be cool enough to force everyone to wear stupid party hats..
Broken Social Scene's swirling, ambitious sound has earned them a well-deserved place in the indie scene, producing ground-breaking music that crosses over genres, and through experimentation, is its own genre. Their approachable, collaborative, and inviting performances make the band a champion of the people that bring out the best in their audience. There is no denying that this act has made an impressive mark on the music scene, and every fan of indie rock should give their music a listen.
Songs

Selected YouTube songs from our archive

Anthems For A Seventeen Year-old Girl
Broken Social Scene Anthems For A Seventeen Year-old Girl
Feel Good Lost
Broken Social Scene Feel Good Lost
Almost Crimes (radio Kills Remix)
Broken Social Scene Almost Crimes (radio Kills Remix)
Mossbraker
Broken Social Scene Mossbraker
Blues For Uncle Gibb
Broken Social Scene Blues For Uncle Gibb
Sentimental X's
Broken Social Scene Sentimental X's
Articles and news

Stories, updates and listening guides

Future plans

Broken Social Scene: next events

De Roma Antwerp, Belgium Buy the ticket!
TivoliVredenburg Utrecht, Netherlands Buy the ticket!
Columbiahalle Berlin, Germany Buy the ticket!
La Riviera Madrid, Spain Buy the ticket!
Razzmatazz Barcelona, Spain Buy the ticket!
Canada Life Place London, Canada Buy the ticket!
The Arena at TD Place Ottawa, Canada Buy the ticket!
Place Bell Montreal, Canada Buy the ticket!