Harvey Willgoose: The Genius Behind Public Service Broadcasting’s Unique Sound

When you think about modern British music, you might imagine pop hits or alternative rock anthems—but Harvey Willgoose stands apart. As the creative force behind Public Service Broadcasting (PSB), Willgoose has carved out a space unlike any other in today’s music scene. His work doesn’t just entertain—it educates, inspires, and pays homage to history through sound.

The Man Behind the Machines

Harvey Willgoose, a London-born multi-instrumentalist and producer, is best known for founding Public Service Broadcasting in 2009. Along with bandmates J.F. Abraham and Wrigglesworth, Willgoose uses samples of public information films, archival audio, and historic broadcasts to create deeply emotional yet informative music. It’s a fusion of electronic beats, rock rhythms, and snippets of human voices from the past—together forming what many call “history through sound.”

Willgoose’s musical journey began long before PSB. Fascinated by both technology and history, he developed an early interest in combining storytelling with sound. His approach was unconventional—why rely solely on lyrics when historical recordings could speak for themselves? This curiosity became the foundation for PSB’s distinctive musical identity.

Turning History into Art

Each Public Service Broadcasting album tells a story. Their 2013 debut, Inform—Educate—Entertain, introduced listeners to the band’s concept: using samples from classic British public information films to reflect on human progress. The album’s title came directly from the original mission of the BBC—to “inform, educate, and entertain.”

Their 2015 follow-up, The Race for Space, remains one of their most celebrated works. In it, Willgoose transforms NASA audio recordings and Soviet transmissions into a moving narrative of the space race between the U.S. and the USSR. The album blends excitement and tragedy, honoring both the triumph of space exploration and the lives lost along the way. Tracks like “Sputnik” and “Go!” showcase how Willgoose can make history pulse to a rhythm.

In 2017, PSB released Every Valley, an emotional tribute to the Welsh coal miners and their communities. Instead of focusing on national victories, Willgoose turned his lens toward the working class and the decline of a once-proud industry. The music captures both the pride and pain of a fading era, proving his ability to humanize even the most industrial stories.

The Art of Blending Sound and Story

What makes Harvey Willgoose’s music so powerful is his attention to emotional balance. The archival clips he uses aren’t just background effects—they become voices of the past, carrying weight and truth. His compositions build around these recordings, using guitars, drums, strings, and synthesizers to evoke nostalgia and awe.

Willgoose also places a strong emphasis on live performance. A Public Service Broadcasting concert is more than just a gig—it’s an immersive experience. With vintage footage projected behind the band, synchronized lights, and carefully timed samples, audiences feel like they’re watching history come alive.

A Modern Historian in Music

In many ways, Willgoose acts as a musical historian. Instead of writing essays or documentaries, he tells stories through soundscapes. His work reminds listeners that history is not just something we read—it’s something we can feel, if we listen closely enough.

Even as technology advances, Willgoose maintains a respect for the past. His use of analog instruments, reel-to-reel samples, and vintage audio sources bridges old and new worlds. It’s this blend that gives his music its unique warmth and humanity.

Legacy and Influence

Over the past decade, Harvey Willgoose has proven that music can be more than entertainment—it can be a form of education and reflection. Younger artists have taken inspiration from his approach, blending media and sound to create new experiences.

As Public Service Broadcasting continues to evolve, Willgoose shows no signs of slowing down. His next projects are expected to explore fresh historical narratives and social themes, always with the same commitment to detail and emotional resonance.

Conclusion

Harvey Willgoose isn’t just a musician—he’s a storyteller, an innovator, and a curator of memory. Through Public Service Broadcasting, he’s turned forgotten moments of history into art that resonates with today’s audience. In a world flooded with noise, Willgoose reminds us that every sound—every voice—has a story worth hearing.