David Thomas Broughton

Who is David Thomas Broughton?

David Thomas Broughton is a British folk singer and guitarist, based in London. Born in Otley, West Yorkshire, UK, he creates the sound of a large ensemble by sampling himself singing, playing acoustic guitar, and making an assortment of other sounds through a Boss loop pedal. He also uses various non-traditional musical instruments to augment his songs, including radios and televisions, and occasionally incorporates a use of natural field recordings into his music. He is also known for his love of spontaneity and musical improvisation, recording albums in one take and beginning live performances with no clear plan in mind. He has cited Tom Waits and Bill Callahan as key early influences.

Two solo albums have been released under his own name, The Complete Guide to Insufficiency and It's in There Somewhere, as well as the EPs Anchovies and Boating Disasters. In 2007 he collaborated with Leeds chamber music group 7 Hertz to release David Thomas Broughton vs. 7 Hertz, and released a single during the same year with Chris Casati. Outbreeding, his newest album, was released in 2010. Most of his releases have been met with great critical acclaim, with publications such as Pitchfork Media and Tiny Mix Tapes rating his work highly, though Broughton has revealed he is largely indifferent towards such praise.