Public Service Broadcasting - Theme From PSB

Public Service Broadcasting are now hit makers.

Yes, it's true. Last month the band released their debut album "Inform - Educate - Entertain" (to find out why buying a copy is as important as buying your morning coffee, click here). That album went on to smash into the UK album chart at #21. A wonderful achievement for any artist, it's even more impressive given that the album itself was self released. In another piece of chart geekery, it's worth pointing out that the album matched the #21 peak of Boards of Canada's "Music Has The Rights To Children". Both albums feature a song called "ROYGBIV".

I've also had the supreme pleasure of catching the band live since that release, and it really is an experience to behold. Whilst there are some groups that incorporate visuals into their performances, I don't think there's any group that have synthesized this to their performances as nostalgically, as effortlessly, and as one friend described it, hypnotically, as Public Service Broadcasting. And of course, the tunes are quite fantastic, so if the opportunity arises, you have no excuse not to go, especially as they're playing a smorgasbord of festivals over the summer, including Glastonbury. Be sure to check out their website to see when you can have the privilege of seeing them. 

And to top off all things PSB related, the band have now announced the release of the next song to be released from their hit album, and given that it's being promoted to coincide with their raft of festival appearances, where many of those in attendance might be curious newcomers, they really couldn't have chosen a better song than their own theme tune. "Theme From PSB" is a song that sees the duo cast the mirror back on themselves, examining those people who first pioneered the use of public information films. Musically, the song finds itself somewhere in the centre ground of the band's retro-futuristic sound. One the one hand, its one of the most electronic songs on the album. On the other, the song wouldn't have the same enjoyment if it wasn't for the nifty banjolele playing of J. Wilgooose Esq.

So after the release of this single, and their upcoming summer touring schedule, what's next for Public Service Broadcasting? Well, in September, the Mercury Music Prize shortlist will be announced. If I was a betting captain, I wouldn't be surprised to see "Inform - Educate - Entertain" on that list. After all, how many other groups, either in the UK, or elsewhere in the world are making music as original and entertaining as these gentlemen?

"Theme from PSB" will be released on August 12th as a limited edition pink vinyl.