Art Faculty - Chris Broach

Chris Broach portrait

cbroach@mchenry.edu

Chris Broach is a musician, songwriter, and producer living and working in the Chicago area. He is best known as a founding member of the influential indie rock band Braid, which helped define the emo and post-hardcore genres in the late 1990s. Broach is also the driving force behind several other projects, including The Firebird Band and SNST. His creative work spans decades, blending innovative soundscapes with heartfelt lyricism.

His contributions to the music world have earned critical acclaim, including features in publications such as Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, SPIN, and Alternative Press. He has toured extensively across North America, Europe, and Japan, sharing stages with iconic bands in the indie and alternative scenes.

In addition to his work as a musician, Chris has collaborated with numerous artists and producers, expanding his role as a producer and sound engineer. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found Lucid Records, an independent label that released music by emerging and established artists alike.

Broach’s music has been included in compilations by indie labels small and large, as well as in documentaries and indie films exploring the evolution of underground music. His music has also appeared in commercials for national brands, such as Adidas. His work continues to influence a new generation of artists, cementing his place as a pioneer in the indie and post-hardcore genres.

Chris studied Photography, Film, and Audio Production at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Columbia College, though he left school to pursue his career in a touring band for much of the late 1990s and 2000s. He ultimately received a degree in Psychology from Northeastern Illinois University in 2010.

Chris teaches music production at MCC and works on new material at his home studio, entitled Mass Energy.

See more of his work and latest projects on Chris’s professional website