Broken Social Scene
Formed: 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genre: Indie Rock, Indie Pop
Years Active: 2001 -
Meaning of the Name: Refers to the bands working as a collective who split into smaller groups.
Core Members: Kevin Drew, Brendan Canning
Way of Working: Collective
Associated: Metric, Feist, Stars
Essential Releases
You Forgot It
In People (2002)
Breakthrough album that blends intricate instrumentation with undeniable pop hooks
Broken Social
Scene (2005)
A more expansive self-titled album that leans into shoegaze and maximalist production.
Bands are like a night out. You can make it work with three people but it's better with more. There's strength in numbers, and on Broken Social Scene's sophomore album, the band grew from two members to a mighty 11. Fronted by co-founders Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning, the group features a revolving door of musicians well-known on the thriving Toronto indie scene. Some have gone on to have successful careers in their own right, including the award-winning Feist, the synth-rock outfit Metric, and Stars.
The group is more accurately seen as less of a band and more as a collective, at times ballooning to over 20 members. Kevin Drew explained, "Bands like Stars and Metric need to be there, and we've been very grateful for the time they've devoted to us. They will burn out on their own stuff and come back to us and say, "Can I just not think about stuff for a month?" And they take that energy and they use it really well in their own bands."
The collective approach to music was as innovative as it was unconventional and functioned much differently from a regular band. It provided members the freedom to pursue their own ventures and collaborate with others as they saw fit. If someone couldn't make a commitment, there was usually someone else who could fill in at short notice. Projects and tours didn't get derailed because of illnesses or internal conflict.
If there was a personality clash, a person could step away for a bit and return when things had cooled down. If an unusual instrument or a specific style was needed, a suitable musician would likely be found thanks to the six degrees of separation. The entire collective acted as a community hub, making music easier to create while providing a paycheck to keep members afloat as they experimented. Broken Social Scene was, in effect, a Canadian, indie-rock version of the Wu-Tang Clan, enhancing each others strengths while concealing their weaknesses.
On the other hand, operating as a collective created its own set of challenges. Any group with over 20 members will inevitably have conflicts that need to be managed before factions form. These divisions are especially prominent when men and women are in the same space, as romantic partners often have more destructive arguments than friends. Ex-lovers can make for the worst enemies and, for a while, Feist and Kevin Drew were a couple.
Moreover, in a regular band, roles are clearly defined. In Broken Social Scene there was a clamour for tour spots, and people competed for chairs in studio sessions. While there's room for everyone in a collective, members can fall out when it comes to money, especially when more people in the group means less money per person.
So, it wasn't all plain sailing for Broken Social Scene, but, determined to break the mould, they found a way to make it work. For them, the creative and social advantages of operating in a collective proved to be more beneficial than the disadvantages. It must have been enjoyable touring with friends, anticipating the bright lights of the stage, and having people to share the memories with.
A solo star might rake in more money but often spends many a lonely night on the road. While the soloist has ultimate creative control, they also bear the burden of responsibility alone. If a member of Broken Social Scene had an off day, a family emergency, or a brush with the law, they could be replaced by another member of the band, which is a luxury not afforded to soloists.
For the collective model to truly work, the side projects and affiliated bands also have to be successful, as this helps to prevent the 'mothership' from falling apart due to excessive demand for places. Broken Social Scene did exactly that, providing proof of concept for any musician trying to find a happy alternative in a cutthroat industry known for rivalries instead of cooperation.
Skills
*This is a work in progress. Values are subjective.Emotional Impact
80
Mental Impact
55
Originality
70
Artistry
40
Authenticity
65
Live
80
Production
75
Musicianship
85
Singing
85
Songwriting
88
Danceability
55
Fun
65
Consistency
65
Range
80
Cool
60
Charisma
55
Commercial & Critical Success
Awards >>>
- Juno Award WINNER! 2003: You Forgot It in People - Alternative Album of the Year
- Juno Award WINNER! 2005: Broken Social Scene - Alternative Album of the Year
Certifications >>>
- You Forgot It in People: Gold in Canada
- Broken Social Scene: Gold in Canada
Charts >>>
- Forgiveness Rock Record: #1 in Canada
- Hug of Thunder: #3 in Canada
