Broken Social Scene

Broken Social Scene is a Canadian indie rock collective from Toronto, formed in 1999. The group’s core members are Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning, and its line-up has expanded and changed over time to include many musicians from Toronto’s indie scene and beyond.

Early recordings and breakthrough

The duo of Drew and Canning records and releases the band’s debut album, Feel Good Lost, in 2001. That album is largely instrumental and has contributions from Ohad Benchetrit, Evan Cranley, Leslie Feist, Justin Peroff, Bill Priddle and Charles Spearin, all of whom become important figures in the group’s later history.

After that release, Drew and Canning shift the project towards a fuller, more energetic sound. They bring in friends and collaborators including Andrew Whiteman, Jason Collett, Emily Haines and Leslie Feist to add lyrics and vocals to the live shows. Over time, James Shaw, John Crossingham, Lisa Lobsinger, Julie Penner and Amy Millan also contribute to the group.

Major albums and recognition

Broken Social Scene records its second album, You Forgot It In People, in 2002 for Arts & Crafts. The album includes contributions from Drew, Canning, Justin Peroff and Charles Spearin, as well as later guest musicians such as Bill Priddle, Jessica Moss, Brodie West, Susannah Brady and Ohad Benchetrit. It becomes the band’s breakthrough record, receiving strong critical attention and appearing on many year-end best-of lists. The group wins the Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year in 2003 for this release.

The band follows with the B-sides and remix collection Bee Hives in 2004, then a self-titled third album in 2005. That release includes contributions from k-os, Jason Tait and Murray Lightburn, and it is accompanied by a limited-edition EP, To Be You And Me. David Newfeld, previously the band’s producer, is listed as a member for the first time on this album.

Later activity

During a recording break in the mid-to-late 2000s, many members focus on solo work, and Drew and Canning both release albums under the Broken Social Scene name. The full band appears in the 2009 film The Time Traveler’s Wife, performing an acoustic version of Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart.”

The group records Forgiveness Rock Record with John McEntire, and releases it in 2010. After a period described as an indefinite hiatus following a 2011 show and tour, Broken Social Scene returns in 2017 with performances in Europe, Canada and California. That year, the group issues the single “Half-Way Home” as part of a new album cycle.

Style and membership

Broken Social Scene is associated with indie rock, art rock, baroque pop, experimental rock and post-rock. Its broad membership has included David French, Ohad Benchetrit, Torquil Campbell, Brendan Canning, Jason Collett, Evan Cranley, John Crossingham, Kevin Drew, Ariel Engle, Leslie Feist, Emily Haines, Marty Kinack, Lisa Lobsinger, Amy Millan, Julie Penner, Justin Peroff, Bill Priddle, James Shaw, Charles Spearin and Andrew Whiteman.