Public Service Broadcasting is a London-based duo who create retro-futuristic electronic music much in the spirit of classic krautrock. They use samples from old public information films, archival footage and propaganda material, to (quote) ‘teach the lessons of the past through the music of the future’. PSB combines classic synths with banjo, ukulele, sax and trumpets all propelled by a nearly-motorik beat.
PSB is a project of J. Willgoose and Wrigglesworth from London. The association with Jellyheads and fans of Sundae Club is instantly apparent – their music is electronic, but with a uniquely organic (and perhaps an emotive) element that separates it from the countless electro-pop artists of the day.
And their use of old public information films makes them fit well in a playlist of Found Sound Orchestra and Future Loop Foundation recordings. The result, when paired with their minimalist geometric album packaging, is a krautrock-flavored mechanical sort of BBC documentary music, if you can imagine such a thing.
I enjoyed their INFORM • EDUCATE • ENTERTAIN LP, but was most impressed by THE WAR ROOM EP. Just one look at the album jacket and anyone who follows my postings with any frequency will instantly understand why I just had to acquire this glorious disc.
See if you can detect traces of the metronomic percussion of Neu!’s “Hallo Gallo” in PSB’s music, or a touch of Kraftwerk inspiration in their packaging design.
A huge fan of the band, I pre-ordered their latest release – The Race For Space the moment it was announced.
The new record arrived yesterday afternoon. This is the limited clear-vinyl edition, featuring brilliant packaging design consistent with their previous releases and an 8-page booklet.
And this morning PSB posted their first video for the record – “Go!” loaded with footage and audio from the Apollo 11 mission.
Love it.