Ep12: Bright Light Bright Light on surviving as an independent artist in a genre full of gatekeepers
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Hello! Welcome to my conversation with Bright Light Bright Light, recorded on Monday 13th July 2020. Keep scrolling down for links to everything we discussed in this episode and visit his website to get your copy of “Fun City”, released on 18th September 2020.
[Content warning: occasional swearing.]
In this conversation, we discuss:
- Rod’s new album “Fun City”: a love letter to the LGBTQ+ community
- how setting a mission for your music helps keep you focused on what matters
- wearing your weird on your sleeve
- surviving as an independent artist in a genre full of gatekeepers
- record shopping with Elton John
- dealing with rejection – how to keep getting back up again
- tour practicalities – sprinting to the merch table in arenas
- how to dance in your own music video
The three songs Rod recommends you listen to from his back catalogue are: “I Used To Be Cool”, “In Your Care” and “Symmetry Of Two Hearts”.
The artists he recommends are: Caveboy, Shea Diamond’s “I Am America” and Beth Hirsch.
About Bright Light Bright Light
Bright Light Bright Light is the moniker of Welsh-born, NYC living Rod Thomas, a singer, songwriter, producer, DJ and fully independent artist.
A pop culture geek, his songs are inspired by 80’s/90’s cinema (hence the name), video games, TV moments and dance sequences. He’s worked with Sir Elton John, Scissor Sisters, Alan Cumming and Erasure, and toured with Cher.
His forthcoming album “Fun City” is a love letter to the LGBTQ+ community and features a long list of incredible LGBTQ+ collaborators including Andy Bell, Jake Shears, Justin Vivian Bond and Madonna’s iconic backing singers Niki Haris and Donna De Lory.
Pre-order Bright Light Bright Light’s new album here.
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Have a lovely day xo