Former Labour MP and acclaimed author Peter Bradley embarks on a bold new chapter in his creative journey, stepping into the world of music with his debut album, The Distance Between Dreams. Premiering exclusively today on Music Crowns, this deeply personal album introduces his musical alter ego Brandes and takes listeners on an emotional, genre-blending exploration of loss, identity, and history.
For those familiar with Bradley’s work—his acclaimed book The Last Train – A Family History of the Final Solution—this album marks a natural evolution. As Brandes, Bradley blends his personal narrative with universal themes, creating a sound that blends folk, indie rock, and world music influences.
The name Brandes is a powerful tribute to Bradley’s Jewish heritage, reclaimed from his family’s history lost during the Holocaust. Through this name, Bradley offers listeners not only a musical experience but also an emotional journey that spans generations. His songs navigate personal loss, resilience, and hope, all while offering listeners a window into his own deeply rooted connection to history.
The album opens with “Please Don’t Call”, a haunting track that sets the tone for the album with its raw emotion and sparse, yet powerful, instrumentation. As the album unfolds, Brandes takes listeners through an array of musical landscapes, from the melancholy of “Like A Dagger” to the more politically charged “From The Higher Ground”. These songs showcase his ability to blend heartfelt storytelling with profound reflection on the world around him.
One of the standout tracks, “Song for Mordecai”, is an emotionally charged, cinematic piece inspired by Daniel Deronda, blending Middle Eastern instrumentation with poignant storytelling to reflect on Jewish identity and history.
The Distance Between Dreams, isn’t just an album—it’s a deeply reflective, genre-defying experience. Brandes’s journey from politics and literature to music brings a fresh and unique voice to the music scene, one that speaks to the universal human experience of love, loss, and finding meaning in both personal and collective histories.
Bradley has spent his career reflecting on history and human connection through his writing and politics, and now, as Brandes, he invites listeners to engage with these themes through a new lens—one that’s raw, reflective, and rich with musical emotion.
