Broadside Hacks
Broadside Hacks | |
|---|---|
| Origin | London, England |
| Genres | Folk, contemporary folk |
| Years active | 2020–present |
| Label | Broadside Hacks Recordings |
Broadside Hacks is a London-based folk music collective, independent record label, and live music promoter founded in 2020 by Campbell Baum.[1] The group is associated with the 2020s British folk revival and focuses on programming, performing, and releasing traditional folk music.[2] The collective features a rotating roster of musicians and was the subject of the 2022 documentary film The Broadside Hack.[3]
History
Broadside Hacks was formed in early 2020 by Campbell Baum, bassist for the London indie band Sorry.[4]
The collective takes its name from broadside ballads (inexpensive, single-sheet prints of traditional songs) and focuses on interpreting compositions with no known authors.[5] The collective's fluid house band, sometimes referred to as Maudlin, is led by Baum and has included contributions from artists such as Naima Bock (formerly of Goat Girl), Aga Ujma, Daragh Lynch (of Lankum), and Katy J Pearson.[6]
Label and releases
The collective operates the independent record label Broadside Hacks Recordings.[7] In June 2021, the label released its debut project, Our Singing Tradition Vol. 1, a limited-edition cassette compilation of unaccompanied, a cappella songs recorded by various musicians.[8]
This was followed in September 2021 by Songs Without Authors Vol. 1, a double-LP compilation of traditional folk songs reworked by various contemporary artists.[5] The Guardian named the record its "Folk Album of the Month".[6]
The label has subsequently released music for other emerging artists in the contemporary folk scene, including Goblin Band[9], Spitzer Space Telescope, Brown Wimpenny, and Milkweed.[10]
Live events and media
As a live promoter, Broadside Hacks programmes a regular London folk club onboard Theatreship in Canary Wharf.[11] The collective has organised multi-day tribute events and retrospective concerts for folk institutions such as Les Cousins,[12] as well as figures including Martin Carthy,[13] Mike Heron, and The Pogues.[10]
In 2022, the group was the subject of The Broadside Hack, a short documentary directed by Crispin Parry and funded by Arts Council England. The film premiered at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival and subsequently screened at the Glastonbury Festival.[3]
Discography
Compilations
- Our Singing Tradition Vol. 1 (Cassette, June 2021)[8]
- Songs Without Authors Vol. 1 (Double LP, September 2021)[6]
References
- ^ "Broadside Hacks". Fred Perry UK. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ^ "'Colonialism and nationalism, we're rejecting all that': the folk musicians rethinking Britishness". The Guardian. 20 August 2024. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ^ a b "The Broadside Hack: think you know folk?". British Underground. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ^ "Broadside Hacks: how London's indie scene is reviving traditional folk". Front. 7 June 2022. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ^ a b "In Conversation with: Broadside Hacks". Last Bus Magazine. 30 May 2022. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ^ a b c Rogers, Jude (3 September 2021). "Broadside Hacks: Songs Without Authors Vol 1 review – contemporary artists tinker with tradition". The Guardian. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ^ "I've Brought Gold: An Interview With Goblin Band". The Quietus. 8 April 2024. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
The Broadside Hacks project – an amorphous entity that consists of a band, a record label, sessions and regular Folk Club concerts...
- ^ a b "Our Singing Tradition Vol. 1 – Cassette (Album, Limited Edition), 2021". Discogs. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ^ "Queer-folk quartet Goblin Band share drinking song 'Rosin The Beau' from live debut album". KLOF Mag. 4 November 2025. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ^ a b Aird, Jonathan (4 December 2025). "Folk Tracks Roundup – Broadside Hacks". Americana UK. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ^ Wilkinson, Chiara (27 March 2025). "The 50 Best Nights Out In London For 2025". Time Out. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ^ Murray, Robin (27 August 2024). "Broadside Hacks Celebrate Les Cousins". Clash. Retrieved 2026-02-23.
- ^ "Martin Carthy at EartH: 'Bob Dylan's appearance drew gasps at tribute to English folk hero'". Evening Standard. 6 October 2025. Retrieved 2026-02-23.