Broomtree Biography
Who is Broomtree?
Broomtree was a Christian alternative rock band from Columbus, Ohio, formed by friends who met through school, church, and mutual friends. The group began by playing praise and worship music at their churches before developing its own musical style. Fronted by vocalist and guitarist Kylie Schilg, Broomtree combined modern rock with pop and punk influences. In a 1999 interview with Jesus Freak Hideout, Schilg described the band's early sound as "hard and happy chick music" and characterized it as "Modern Rock with a girl and a guitar!" She added that the band's second album represented growth in its songwriting, both musically and lyrically.
The band's name comes from the biblical account of Elijah resting beneath a broom tree in the desert after fleeing Queen Jezebel. After asking God to take his life, Elijah fell asleep and received food and water from an angel, giving him the strength to continue. In the same interview, Schilg connected the story to her own experience of feeling overwhelmed and finding strength through faith in God. She said the name reflected God's ability to strengthen people who feel helpless or forgotten.
Broomtree's official website, preserved by the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine, described the band's mission as serving Christ through music, sharing Jesus' love, and encouraging other Christians. The band emphasized studying Scripture, maintaining accountability, building God-centered relationships, and living consistently with its faith.
Broomtree released its self-titled debut album on Rustproof Records in 1997. Its catalog also included Sixty Cycle Hum, a four-track release with a listed running time of approximately 13 minutes and 30 seconds. Credits for the self-titled album identify Schilg on vocals and guitar, Brian Scono on guitar, and Rick May on drums and percussion. Credits also list Phil Madeira on organ and keyboards, while Judy Schilg contributed handclaps on track 7 and laughing vocals on track 11.
The band's second full-length album, Transparent, was released on March 23, 1999. Recorded in Nashville during fall 1998, the album was produced by Marc Byrd of Common Children, with Byrd and his Common Children bandmate Drew Powell contributing to songwriting and instrumentation. Chris Colbert mixed the album. Its title track is the song "Transparent." Other songs on the album include "Beautiful," "Reckless," "Beyond My Sight," and "Falling Over Me."
Broomtree's archived homepage advertised fall 1998 tour dates featuring Petra and Jeni Varnadeau. In the April 1999 interview, Schilg said the band was touring with Petra at that time. Other concert listings placed Broomtree on bills with Temple Yard, Polar Boy, Plaid, and The Normals.
The band's archived biography described the album Transparent as exploring grace, hope in Christ, and trust in God through different circumstances. Schilg summarized the album's theme this way: "The album is about stepping out of your comfort zone and just knowing that God will be there." The biography reported that the song "Transparent" reached No. 1 on the CCM rock chart. It also reported that four radio singles reached the top ten on the CCM and PRR rock charts, with three reaching the top five, and that two concept videos appeared on more than 100 Christian video programs.
Schilg identified the song "Beautiful" as her favorite Broomtree song. She said its lyrics contrast the ugliness people create when they go their own way with the beauty God creates when they follow Him. Asked about the inspiration for most of the band's songs, she identified Jesus and her relationship with Him. She also named Plankeye, Poor Old Lu, Seven Day Jesus, Dakoda Motor Co., Sixpence None the Richer, and Soulfood76 as bands that first introduced her to Christian music. The band's archived biography described its songwriting philosophy as writing songs that speak to listeners when they need them most.
In a personal reflection, Schilg described a photograph of empty bottles she took while recording the album Transparent. She compared herself to the upside-down bottle, which reflected how closed off she had felt while growing up and her reluctance to let outside air in. After high school, she gradually began opening up to people. She said that as her relationship with Jesus Christ grew, the hurts she experienced seemed never to last long. She also described overcoming stage fright through Broomtree and finding particular fulfillment in spending time with young people who felt as she once had, offering them hope through God's grace.
Broomtree released its third full-length album, Maybe This Time, in 2001. Songs on the album include "Find Me," "Reach Past," and "Deliver Me." The band's 2001 website listed a lineup featuring Schilg on vocals and guitar, Nathan Westbeld on guitar and backing vocals, Scotty Yoder on drums, and Jonathan Batchelder on bass.
The band played its final show at Gospel Music Association (GMA) Week in 2001. According to a May 2002 report from Jesus Freak Hideout quoting the band's management, the members decided to pursue other interests after five years on the road.