Broken Social Scene

Formation and early years (1999 to 2001)

The band was formed in 1999 by the core duo of Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning. Their initial material was largely instrumental, leading them to record their ambient debut album, Feel Good Lost, which was released on Noise Factory Records in 2001. That recording featured contributions from several Toronto musicians, including drummer Justin Peroff, guitarist Charles Spearin, and vocalist Leslie Feist. To transform their studio project into a live act, Drew and Canning recruited a rotating cast of players from the local scene, including Andrew Whiteman, Jason Collett, and Emily Haines of Metric. This early period established the band's foundational collaborative ethos, building a network of musicians who would flow in and out of the project for years to come. The live shows from this era were crucial in developing the band's identity, adding lyrical and vocal dimensions to their initially instrumental compositions.

Breakthrough with You Forgot It in People

The expanded live ensemble coalesced in the studio to create the band's second album, You Forgot It in People, released in October 2002 on Paper Bag Records. Produced by David Newfeld, the album marked a dramatic shift from their debut, introducing dense, celebratory rock songs with complex arrangements. The record was a critical and commercial success, winning the Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year in 2003 and solidifying the band's national reputation. Songs from the album found widespread use in film and television, significantly broadening their audience. The track Lover's Spit was featured in multiple productions, including the films Wicker Park and Lie with Me, and on television shows like Queer as Folk. Other tracks like Pacific Theme and Looks Just Like the Sun were also licensed, embedding the band's music in popular culture. In 2003, the band released the B-sides and remix collection Bee Hives. The supporting tour operated with a flexible lineup based on member availability, a practice that would become standard for the collective.

Expansion and self-titled album

Building on their success, Broken Social Scene released their self-titled third album in October 2005, again with David Newfeld producing. The recording sessions welcomed new contributors, including rapper k-os and musicians from Stars, further expanding the collective's sonic palette. The album was another critical triumph, earning the band their second Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year in 2006. That year, the band performed on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and at the Juno Awards ceremony itself. A significant moment came in September 2006 when the band, as a last-minute replacement, headlined the first Virgin Festival in Toronto after Massive Attack cancelled. The performance featured a fifteen-member lineup including Feist, Amy Millan, k-os, and Emily Haines, and was the last full ensemble show until 2009. Following a US tour in late 2006, the band entered a hiatus as members focused on their numerous other projects, including solo work and scores for films like Snow Cake and The Tracey Fragments.

Solo projects and Forgiveness Rock Record

During the band's hiatus, the Broken Social Scene Presents series highlighted work from its principal songwriters. Kevin Drew's Spirit If... was released in September 2007, followed by Brendan Canning's Something for All of Us in July 2008. Both albums featured extensive contributions from other collective members. The band officially reconvened for their fourth studio album, Forgiveness Rock Record, released in May 2010. Produced by John McEntire and recorded in Chicago and Toronto, the album was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize. A notable milestone on the record was the track that featured vocals from Amy Millan, Emily Haines, and Leslie Feist, though their parts were recorded separately. In 2009, the band's history was documented in Stuart Berman's book This Book Is Broken, and their July 2009 Harbourfront Centre concert was filmed for Bruce McDonald's documentary This Movie Is Broken, which blended concert footage with a fictional narrative.

Hiatus, returns, and new releases

After touring in support of Forgiveness Rock Record into 2011, the band entered another extended period of reduced activity. They headlined the inaugural Field Trip festival in 2013, celebrating the tenth anniversary of their label, Arts & Crafts. That same year, the Broken Social Scene Story Project invited writers to create short stories inspired by You Forgot It in People, resulting in a published anthology. The band returned to recording and released their fifth album, Hug of Thunder, in July 2017. The album featured the return of vocalist Leslie Feist on the title track and introduced new member Ariel Engle. In 2019, the band released two EPs, Let's Try the After, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, which were later collated into a limited vinyl release. A collection of B-sides and rarities, Old Dead Young, followed in January 2022. Between 2022 and 2023, the band went on a twentieth anniversary tour for You Forgot It in People, featuring a refreshed lineup that included new lead vocalist Jill Harris. Reflecting on the tour, Brendan Canning emphasized the enduring family ethos of the group and the positive experience of reconnecting with their audience. In 2024, the documentary film It's All Gonna Break, compiled from footage shot by Stephen Chung over many years, premiered before a commercial release in January 2025. Kevin Drew noted the film reminded him of the band's early vulnerability and collaborative love.

Recent work and Remember the Humans

Broken Social Scene released their sixth studio album, Remember the Humans, on May 8, 2026, on Arts & Crafts. This marked their first album of new material in nine years and a reunion with producer David Newfeld, who had helmed their second and third albums. The album introduced another new vocal collaborator, Hannah Georgas. To support the release, the band announced the All the Feelings Tour, a co-headlining arena tour with fellow Toronto collectives Metric and Stars, signalling a major return to the stage. The album's release and accompanying tour represent a new chapter for the enduring collective, reaffirming its central place in the Canadian indie music community nearly three decades after its formation.

Musical style and legacy

Broken Social Scene's sound is a direct product of its collective nature, weaving together the diverse musical interests of its many members. The result is a grand, orchestral style of indie rock often categorized as baroque pop, characterized by dense layers of guitars, horns, woodwinds, and strings. Their production, particularly on albums with David Newfeld, embraces an experimental and sometimes chaotic aesthetic, with unusual song structures and a balance between rough energy and melodic sophistication. The band's fluid membership includes core players and a wide array of collaborators from other notable Canadian acts. This interconnected network has had a substantial influence on the country's alternative music scene in the early 21st century. The collective's broad impact was acknowledged in 2021 when Pitchfork listed them among the most important artists of the previous twenty-five years. Their model of collaboration has inspired countless other musicians, and their albums, especially You Forgot It in People, are regarded as seminal works. The band's legacy is also preserved through various cultural projects, including books, documentary films, and literary anthologies, cementing their status as more than just a musical group but a creative community.

Discography

Broken Social Scene has released six studio albums to date. Their debut album, Feel Good Lost, was released in 2001. This was followed by You Forgot It in People in 2002, Broken Social Scene in 2005, Forgiveness Rock Record in 2010, Hug of Thunder in 2017, and Remember the Humans in 2026. The band's second, third and sixth albums were produced by David Newfeld, while Forgiveness Rock Record was produced by John McEntire. Their work maintains a collaborative and experimental approach throughout their career.

In addition to studio albums, the band has released various EPs and compilations. The B-sides and remix collection Bee Hives was released in 2003. The band released the Let's Try the After EPs in 2019, which were later collated into a full-length release. A b-sides and rarities collection entitled Old Dead Young was released in 2022. The Broken Social Scene Presents series includes Kevin Drew's Spirit If... from 2007 and Brendan Canning's Something for All of Us from 2008.

Notable awards and recognition

Throughout their career, Broken Social Scene has received significant acclaim and awards. Their album You Forgot It in People won the Alternative Album of the Year Juno Award in 2003. Their self-titled album Broken Social Scene also won the Alternative Album of the Year award at the 2006 Juno Awards. The album Forgiveness Rock Record was short-listed for the 2010 Polaris Music Prize. In 2021, Pitchfork listed the band among the most important artists of the last 25 years.

• Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year (2003) for You Forgot It in People.
• Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year (2006) for Broken Social Scene.
• Shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize (2010) for Forgiveness Rock Record.
• Listed among the most important artists of the last 25 years by Pitchfork (2021).
• Their music has been extensively licensed for use in films, television shows, and other media, expanding their cultural footprint.
• The band was the subject of the documentary film It's All Gonna Break (2024/2025).
• Their album You Forgot It in People inspired a published anthology of short stories, The Broken Social Scene Story Project (2013).

Questions about Broken Social Scene

Who are the core members of Broken Social Scene?

The core members of Broken Social Scene are founders Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning. The other core members are Justin Peroff, Andrew Whiteman and Charles Spearin. Other longtime members and collaborators include Evan Cranley, Sam Goldberg, James Shaw and David French. Vocalists Leslie Feist, Emily Haines, Amy Millan, Lisa Lobsinger and Ariel Engle have also made significant contributions.

What is Broken Social Scene's most famous album?

Broken Social Scene's most famous album is You Forgot It in People from 2002. This album won the Alternative Album of the Year Juno Award in 2003. The song Lover's Spit from this album has been featured in several films and television shows. The album also inspired a 2013 short story contest and anthology called The Broken Social Scene Story Project.

How many people are in Broken Social Scene?

Broken Social Scene is a musical collective including as few as six and as many as nineteen members. The band has a core group of members and many longtime collaborators. Most of its members play in various other groups and solo projects in Toronto. Their live performances often feature a large ensemble with varying lineups based on availability.

What is the 'Broken Social Scene Presents' series?

The Broken Social Scene Presents series refers to solo albums by key members. The first was Kevin Drew's album Spirit If... released in 2007. The second was Brendan Canning's album Something for All of Us released in 2008. These albums feature many members of Broken Social Scene. They were created during periods when the full band was on hiatus or not on tour.

When did Broken Social Scene release their latest album?

Broken Social Scene released their sixth studio album, Remember the Humans, on May 8, 2026, on the Arts & Crafts label. This was their first album of new material since 2017's Hug of Thunder. The album was produced by David Newfeld, who also produced their 2002 and 2005 albums, and features new vocal collaborator Hannah Georgas. A co-headlining tour with Metric and Stars was announced to support the release.

Are there any documentaries about Broken Social Scene?

Yes, there are several documentary projects about the band. Bruce McDonald's This Movie Is Broken (2010) combines footage from their 2009 Harbourfront Centre concert with a fictional romance narrative. Most recently, It's All Gonna Break premiered in 2024 and saw wide release in January 2025. Compiled by cinematographer Stephen Chung from footage shot over many years, the film offers an intimate look at the band's history and relationships, described by Kevin Drew as a reminder of their early vulnerability and collaborative love.

Sources and further reading

• Broken Social Scene (Wikipedia)
• Arts & Crafts, Broken Social Scene (arts-crafts.ca)
• Broken Social Scene talk new album | CBC Music (cbc.ca)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-11-04.