By Holger Wemmer
Chris Broom is a British composer, songwriter, and record producer. Chris is also the founder and owner of the independent record company, Cavendish Records.
Born in Brighton, West Sussex, Chris studied music and composition at school and, after a break from music, began composing songs and producing albums with artists including Jonathan Antoine, Natalia Krishtopets, Alessandra Paonessa and most recently Lucy Thomas.
For the last few years Chris has been working on the score for his first Musical, “Rosie.”
I first came across the name Chris Broom when I discovered the lovely Lucy Thomas, an amazingly talented 18-year-old singer from Wigan, Lancashire, in the UK, who rose to internet fame after her much noticed participation in “The Voice Kids UK” at age 13.
Since then Lucy has won an ever-growing crowd of devoted fans by her spectacular cover performances of popular songs posted on YouTube (@LucyThomasMusic) which have all-in-all been viewed tens of millions of times. This has led to the production of five albums, with the latest one, “Beyond,” having been released this past December.
All of Lucy’s albums were produced by the aforementioned Cavendish Records owned by Chris Broom who has also been mentoring and for the longest time managing Lucy from the start.
Some time ago I was approached by Lucy’s fan group on Facebook to ask Chris Broom for an interview as there are many questions regarding his collaboration with Lucy in particular but also with respect to his work as composer, producer and record company owner.
Chris kindly agreed to do the interview with me in written form.
Holger Wemmer: Chris, thanks a lot for your willingness to do this interview with me.
It seems music has always been an integral part of your life. What did originally spark your interest in music and in composition in particular?
Chris Broom: I have a very musical family on my mother’s side. My great grandmother, Isabel Jay, was a famous singer and actress and my grandmother, Celia Cavendish, was also an excellent pianist and singer. I was also fortunate to have had a wonderful music teacher at my Junior School who encouraged me to start composing at about the age of 12.
Holger Wemmer: Today you are not only renowned as a composer but also as a producer and record company owner. What motivated you to branch out in these directions as well?
Chris Broom: The production and record company ownership developed in response to the barriers to entry that newcomers face in the music industry. It became apparent that if I was to have a chance of achieving what I hoped to with my music, I was going to have to make it happen myself!
Holger Wemmer: Your record company Cavendish Records has already released a number of albums for various artists, such as Natalia Krishtopets, Lucy Thomas, and Jonathan Antoine. Have CD sales generally been profitable and how does the revenue compare to streaming services?
Chris Broom: Sales of CDs have declined rapidly in recent years with the substantial shift towards streaming. I believe the key to success in the music industry is to adapt to these huge changes and to avoid applying outdated strategies to the business. YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music barely existed 10 years ago but are now completely dominant, and new platforms and opportunities are emerging all the time.
Holger Wemmer: Your name has also appeared in connection with Alessandra Paonessa, Lydia Gerrard, and Scarlett Quigley. But most of all your name is almost inseparably linked to Lucy Thomas. How and when was this dream team formed?
Chris Broom: I was introduced to Lucy via a mutual friend towards the end of 2017 when Lucy was 13 years old. I was extremely impressed with Lucy’s voice and asked if she would like to record one of my songs from a Musical score I had just started writing. I was delighted that Lucy agreed, and she recorded an absolutely beautiful version of my song “One Day.” This was shortly before Lucy’s appearance on “The Voice Kids.” After the show aired in the Summer of 2018 we began recording Lucy’s debut album “Premiere.” The album was released on my record label Cavendish Records the following February. I’m pleased to say that six years later we are currently working on Lucy’s sixth studio album!
Holger Wemmer: That’s wonderful news, and I for my part cannot wait.
What motivated you to hire Lucy for your record company and what would you say stood out about her compared to other artists?
Chris Broom: I realized early on that to be successful in the music industry you had to work with the very best musicians and singers. It was apparent to me from the start that Lucy, at 13 years old, had the potential to become one of the greatest vocalists of all time. Lucy’s beautiful pure tone and natural musicality always stood out to me; she is also a uniquely brilliant story teller in her performances. Lucy has a very rare ability to completely connect an audience to a song.
Holger Wemmer: I couldn’t agree more with you on that, Chris.
Have there been any memorable or surprising moments while working with Lucy?
Chris Broom: I’m constantly astonished that Lucy, at such a young age, can produce recordings that surpass those of the world’s most iconic singers. Every recording session is an exciting and memorable experience so it’s difficult to single out one. Recording the “Rosie” songs with Lucy and the orchestra in Mark Knopfler’s British Grove Studio in London has certainly been amongst the highlights though. I just feel immensely privileged and grateful to be working with such an astonishingly talented artist.
Holger Wemmer: How do you and Lucy go about selecting songs for her to sing and is consideration given to suggestions from her fans?
Chris Broom: Lucy, together with her mum Louise and I have a discussion and agree on which songs Lucy should sing. We do consider suggestions from Lucy’s fans, and they are very welcome. For example, “The Way We Were” was requested by Robbie Dunbar (one of the admins of Lucy’s fan page, The Ed.).
Holger Wemmer: Do you have a hit list for upcoming song selections and do you consider the potential impact on Lucy’s vocal cords when choosing songs?
Chris Broom: Yes, we have a provisional list of songs in mind for an upcoming album and we are always extremely cautious about over-exerting Lucy’s vocal cords in any way. We certainly consider the impact of any potential song on Lucy’s voice and will halt a recording session if her voice is tiring.
Holger Wemmer: Will Lucy be singing more original songs in the future?
Chris Broom: The short answer to that question is yes! It has always been the plan for Lucy to move towards recording more original songs.
Holger Wemmer: Does Lucy aspire to write her own songs at a later time or has she perhaps already dabbled into songwriting?
Chris Broom: Lucy is already an important part of the creative process whenever she records a new original song. Lucy may wish to become even more involved in the songwriting process in the future but that’s entirely her decision.
Holger Wemmer: Is Lucy open to duets with more established artists including crossover collabs with classically trained singers?
Chris Broom: Collaborations with other artists are generally an important part of any singer’s repertoire. Lucy’s duets with her sister Martha for example are really wonderful and hugely popular.
Holger Wemmer: What needs to happen before Lucy can tour and is there a plan for a worldwide concert tour in the near future?
Chris Broom: I’ve seen lots of comments asking why Lucy isn’t already doing worldwide tours! There are currently no plans for a worldwide concert tour but hopefully that’s something we can all look forward to in the future when the time is right for Lucy.
Holger Wemmer: Once Lucy starts touring, do you plan to accompany her and is there a possibility of a PBS special in the US?
Chris Broom: It’s too early to have any specifics in mind regarding touring but for now all options are open and will be carefully considered.
Holger Wemmer: Something that has electrified all of Lucy’s fans is the forthcoming musical “Rosie” for which you have both composed the music and written the lyrics, esp. since the accompanying Facebook page, as well as the recently launched YouTube page are graced by her portrait.
So does this mean that Lucy will definitely be cast for the lead role?
Chris Broom: It has always been the plan for Lucy to star in the title role of “Rosie.”
Holger Wemmer: You just made millions of fans very happy. Did you create “Rosie” with Lucy in mind?
Chris Broom: Yes, because it has been the plan from the outset for Lucy to perform the title role, many of the songs in the show were written with Lucy in mind.
Holger Wemmer: Has a premiere date already been set and will it take place in London’s West End?
Chris Broom: There is currently no date set for the Premiere of “Rosie.” The “Rosie” Original Studio Cast Album will be released on 1st March, 2024. A semi-staged Concert Performance of the show is planned for Autumn 2024 and all being well the show itself will open in 2025.
Holger Wemmer: Why has it taken so long to bring “Rosie the Musical” to fruition?
Chris Broom: Musicals generally take a very long time to reach the stage. My priority was to take sufficient time to ensure that all the songs from the show were written to the best of my ability. Another important reason why we haven’t rushed the project is that Lucy wouldn’t have been available to star in the show until Autumn 2024 at the earliest.
Holger Wemmer: Could you imagine bringing “Rosie” also to Broadway if successful?
Chris Broom: Absolutely, I’d love “Rosie” to be performed all over the world!
Holger Wemmer: If the launch of “Rosie” or other future projects require additional capital, would you also consider crowd funding?
Chris Broom: Musicals are extremely expensive to produce and all new productions require investors (called “Angels” in the business), so there will almost certainly be opportunities to invest in the show.
Holger Wemmer: Thank you so much for all these insights, Chris.
I think I am speaking for all of Lucy’s fans, but also for all of the fans of the other artists you have worked with and will yet work with, when I say that lovers of beautiful music are happy that there is a Chris Broom in the industry who mentors and promotes young independent artists and helps them develop their amazing talents.
I wish you the greatest possible success for “Rosie” and rest assured that you have the utmost support of all of Lucy’s fans.
Stream “Rosie The Musical” now on Spotify!
