Penny Broadhurst

Penny Broadhurst started out in the less than fashionable world of spoken word. She quickly ditched the poetry and spoken word circuit for gigs supporting bands and comedians, released an album of spoken word with music which despite its poetic genre got radio play on BBC 6 Music amongst others, played a load of festivals, put a book out of lyrics and poems.
Then she realised she could write choruses after all and started writing pop songs and recording them in Kirkstall with producers Ed Heaton and Si McGrath. Early, unfinished versions of these new songs have already attracted attention from The Guardian. Not dissimilar to the Streets' edgy urban ramblings, and not a world away from the strange universe inhabited by John Cooper Clarke. Broadhurst debates such important contemporary matters as frozen food, Primark and call centres with infectious zest and humour. Some songs are influenced by ELO and Chic, others by The Beatles and Brian Wilson - with a cheeky hint of Patrick Wolf, the KLF and Kate Bush. Her work is also dusted with more than its fair share of Doctor Who references.