empty boat

"Brodrick has an ear for an intriguing melody, while a classy line-up supplies exotic combinations of horns, tuba and female choruses. [Waitless'] shuffling sambas and aquatic references are organic and funky." The Observer

Empty Boat was envisaged as a collective, a vessel of shared culture, ideas and beliefs. The band formed in 2004 when an unusual crew of professional musicians were brought together as part of an awareness raising campaign by Poo Productions. The 15 musicians and vocalists who were involved in the recording of Empty Boat's album Waitless are as eclectic as the sounds they have produced; they come from many disciplines and "have a taste for exotic and unlikely combinations" says Dean Brodrick the founder and composer of the band.

Many of the artists, such as Brazilian singer Mônica Vasconcelos and tuba and bass guitar player Gideon Juckes are established stars in their own right. Others, such as Dean's nine-year old daughter Madalaine, who sings the Amazonian tune Mamãe Iemanja, are just embarking on their musical journey. Brodrick's influences are far-reaching and his interest in musical forms knows no boundaries. He has always gravitated towards the experimental, the obscure, the quirky and the avant guard.

The unique sound of Empty Boat combines African rhythms and multiple vocals with Latin percussion, jazz and Brazilian harmonies. Empty Boat launched their album Waitless on World Toilet Day (19 November) 2008 in association with Pump Aid (official release date 27 October, distribution by Harmonia Mundi).

“I seldom have a definitive idea of the sonic surface of the song. I always let the musicians do what they want at the beginning - no inhibitions - and then I give precise directions on how to evolve the material that emerges.” Dean Brodrick, composer

click here to listen to music samples