Lights
August 26th, 2009 - Written by jenia—
Solo artist, Lights, originally from Timmins, Ontario, emerged onto the music scene in 2006 and made a name for herself with her unique sound and quirky style. Refusing to be like everyone else, she rocks the stage with her keytar, named “Russell”, and has created music videos centered on cartoons and space men. She has played shows across Canada & the United States with bands such as Copeland, Lydia & Thriving Ivory. Despite not having a full studio album out until September 2009, Lights released a self-titled EP in 2008 that has skyrocketed her to fame.
One of the main reasons I had wanted to interview this artist at the 2009 edition of Vans Warped Tour in Montreal, was because she was one of the lone girls on a tour dominated by men. What I learned was that despite the lack of showers & proper bathrooms, she had absolutely no complaints. She was easily one of the nicest people I’ve had the pleasure to speak with. Below is my interview with her that took place before her set in Montreal.
CONFRONT: Is this your first time being a part of Warped Tour?
LIGHTS: Yeah! Well actually I did two dates last year in Detroit and Cleveland but it was a sketchier stage that they had just set up and we were in a van. It was just a little more chaotic. It was kind of my initiation period and now I’m in it for the long haul.
CONFRONT: What’s the experience been like so far?
LIGHTS: So good! It’s exceeded every expectation I’ve had. There are people in the audience singing the words back to me, coming to my merch table after my set to talk, making new friends, playing every day, learning how to handle the sweet tan and not showering. *laughs*
CONFRONT: How would you compare it to previous concert tours that you’ve been a part of?
LIGHTS: It’s definitely different because it’s all in broad daylight. There’s something to be said for a dark club where things can get a little more moody so you have to get people more involved and be that much more energetic on stage. It’s easier with the warped tour crowds because all these kids are here to do is see some bands and have some fun. In some ways it’s kind of like a summer camp fun times then a club tour.
CONFRONT: They saying being a part of Warped is a grueling experience. What would you say the hardest part has been so far?
LIGHTS: The hardest part has been using a port-a-potty all the time. I haven’t been in a proper bathroom in a long time. You have to go and hunt one down if you want to use the bathroom and that sucks. Plus if it’s really hot out it’s ten times hotter in there.
CONFRONT: Are there any showers around?
LIGHTS: Yeah there are showers but have to go find them and they’re usually public so definitely minimal showering on this tour.*laughs*
CONFRONT: What’s been the best part?
LIGHTS: Definitely making new friends and fans in every city I go to. It’s like laying ground work so that when you come back you get to see the same thing again and again and again.
CONFRONT: Girls are a minority on this tour. What’s that been like?
LIGHTS: It’s actually been great! I mean they treat everyone equally. You carry yourself as a musician, you’re not better than anyone else. One of the advantages is that if you’re walking around you’ll see that in a lot of the bands there’s four or fives guys on the stage and depending on whether or not they sound different they’re still very common. Whereas if you see a girl on the stage with a keytar you’re like “Oh whoa that’s different” and you’ll stop and watch it and whether or not they like it they’ll still check it out. That’s a big advantage for me.
CONFRONT: Have you discovered any new bands?
LIGHTS: Yes! Innerpartysystem! I’m a huge fan of them. They’re incredible.
CONFRONT: Are there any bands you knew about and that you were excited to be on tour with?
LIGHTS: Yeah definitely! I love Less Than Jake, Underoath, Devil Wears Prada. There are actually a couple of bands that I grew with on Myspace like Breathe Carolina and I Set My Friends on Fire and we’ve supported each other. I kind of feel like we grew up together on Myspace but never actually met and we’ve finally met for the first time on this tour and it’s a lot of fun to watch them on stage.
CONFRONT: That’s awesome. What’s one thing that you couldn’t live without on the road?
LIGHTS: Face wipes. That’s how I maintain cleanliness or at least a moderate degree of it.
CONFRONT: That’s smart with the lack of showers.
LIGHTS: *laughs* Yeah! I had to bring them.
CONFRONT: You’ve accomplished a lot so far in your career, was there a moment where you knew you had made it?
LIGHTS: Honestly people say there’s a lot but it’s a frog in boiling water situation. You don’t notice it happening around you but I just strive to do what I’ve always wanted to do and that’s make music. If I had to think of one though it would probably be when I won a Juno this year for best new artist and I was so not expecting to win that. I was like “I’m the underdog here!” I do everything independently, I only have an EP out and my actual record doesn’t come out until September 22nd and I just didn’t think I was a prime candidate for that award. When people give you that nod of approval it’s really special and I was just like “Wow this is actually a real thing to some people.”
CONFRONT: Well congrats on that!
LIGHTS: Thank you!
CONFRONT: We did interviews recently with The Februarys…
LIGHTS: Oh yeah!?!
CONFRONT: And Ten Second Epic, both of which you’ve collaborated with on albums. What was the experience like working with those two bands?
LIGHTS: It was so cool! The Februarys I’ve known for a long time because I grew up in Langley, where they’re from, and then I moved to Toronto on my own and when they would tour out they would stay at my place. One thing led to another and I had a little studio set up and one night we decided to record a song so I produced it for them and I sang the vocals on it and we ended up doing a couple of songs and we really liked them. We didn’t plan it, it just happened off the top of our heads. Then with Ten Second Epic, also friends of mine, they asked me to sing on their record and I said “Yeah!” and when I went into the studio they actually weren’t in there because we’re both on other sides of the country. We actually just shot a video for the song which is coming out soon and it was really fun. They’re such good friends of mine and the song is super catchy. I would never work with someone I didn’t believe in or didn’t love as a personal friend but these guys are all awesome. I hope they’re able to do as well as they ever hope they’d be able to do.
CONFRONT: Do you have any musical influences as an artist?
LIGHTS: Yes definitely! It obviously changes all the time. Right now I’m listening to Bjork, M83, Justice & Air.
CONFRONT: You have a very popular EP and now your album is coming out soon!
LIGHTS: Yeah! I’m excited.
CONFRONT: Are there any big differences between the two? How do they compare?
LIGHTS: Just like anything I hope that I’ve evolved as an artist and gotten better at what I do. Four of the songs have crossed over from the EP onto the record it has 13 songs and one of them is a remix. Essentially it’s more of what you go on the EP and there’s a little bit more guitar in it. I’m learning how to work with lyrics better and I realize I talk very fast so I’m learning how to put that into my music. I’m also going deeper lyrically.
CONFRONT: When does it come out?
LIGHTS: September 22nd! It’s earlier in Canada then anywhere in the world because Canada rules. *laughs*
CONFRONT: What can fans expect?
LIGHTS: Definitely more of what you heard on the EP only just more of it and the artwork I’m very proud of. When you put it on and listen to it you can go into another world for those 45 minutes.
CONFRONT: That’s what everyone wants in an album! Just to be able to turn it up and disappear for a bit.
LIGHTS: Exactly and at the same time you want to be able to sing along to it. I wanted them to be able to be taken away but in a good way, not in a bad way.
CONFRONT: That’s really great. What are your plans once Warped tour has wrapped up?
LIGHTS: I’m actually only on this tour for the first month. In August I’m going to be doing some stuff in the UK and then when the record comes out I’ll be starting to tour with Keane! We’re coming to Montreal, I can’t remember what day, and then we’ll tour Canada and the States some more. Basically just a lot of touring. Also keep your eyes open for this semi-animated comic and her name is Captain Lights and it’s going to be ten minute episodes on MTV. It’s to get people stoked for the record and stuff!
CONFRONT: You’re full of a lot of great ideas with your music videos and even smaller things like your astronaut date at the MMVA’s. Where do you come up with all of this?
LIGHTS: The industry is constantly changing and I don’t want it always to be the same thing. For example you don’t want to be remembered for how many records you sell as much as the impression you made along the way. I always think of different ways to make people remember what I’ve done. I always keep that in mind.
CONFRONT: Last question, what do you want your legacy to be as an artist?
LIGHTS: I think it comes down more to the individuals that my music has influenced. It would be amazing if 50% of people who heard my music felt like it changed them in some way.
CONFRONT: Thank you so much!
LIGHTS: Thank you! Are you catching some of the shows?
CONFRONT: I hope so! I’ll definitely try to catch yours.
LIGHTS: Great! Maybe I’ll see you out there.
Be sure to pick up her first studio album, The Listening, which is set to be released September 22nd and then catch her out on tour with Keane this fall. You can find tour dates and more information at the links provided below:
http://twitter.com/lightsnoise
To view our full picture gallery please click here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/confrontmagazine/sets/
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