Interview: Bright Light Bright Light

Bright Light Bright Light has been one of the biggest British stars on 2014. Having unveiled his sophomore effort 'Life Is Easy', which was headed up by a duet with Sir Elton John, he embarked on both a headline tour and a support tour for the aforementioned icon.

Now with Christmas approaching, he marks World Aid's Day today by releasing a reworked fundraising version of the stunning 'Everything I Ever Wanted'.


When did you first realise you wanted to make music?

- I was 13 when I wrote my first song, so I guess then would be when I thought "oh, maybe I can do this again!"

If you could go back to that day, what piece of advice would you give yourself?

- Start listening to dance music earlier! It'll do you good!

What is your writing process?

- It changes day to day, song to song and album to album. Mostly I try to think of what kind of message / energy I want to convey and then I do a little research back through my record collection so that I'm not mimicking anything too closely. Lots of the time things are improvised - like 'I Wish We Were Leaving' I wrote in the time it takes to sing it. Other like 'Everything I Ever Wanted' were written in bits of time over a week. That started with the chords and pad sounds, whereas IWWWL was chords and melody at once. It's quite at random - I keep myself on my toes!



Where do you look for inspiration?

- The world around me. Where I live and who I'm surrounded by have a huge influence on me and what I write. Hence moving to New York for album two - new surroundings and stimulus, and I was very happy there (still am) and that's why the album is warmer and more optimistic than the first.

If your music were a person, what would their personality be? Where do you think it would live?

- It would live in New York and it would be a person that people might think is a little serious but when you get to know them they're actually very funny and good company. A good friend.

If you had to cite your biggest three influences, what would they be?

- Friends, family and where I call home. But musically speaking, Kate Bush, Björk and Elton John.

What are your three favourite records of the moment?

- Slow Club 'Complete Surrender', Mariah Carey 'Me. I Am Mariah ... The Elusive Chanteuse" and Bette Midler 'The Divine Miss M'

What song do you wish you had written?

- 'Finally' by CeCe Peniston. EVERYONE loves that song and I'm no exception!

If you could collaborate with any living artist, who would it be?

- I'd love to sing with John Grant. His voice breaks and warms my heart in equal measures.

Touring is a big part of a musicians life, what are your tour must haves?

- Good music, good films, good company! There's so much time on the road, that you need to keep your body and brain active, so being around great people with things to share and talk about it a must!

What makes a good live show?

- Largely the audience you know. You can do a simple show with no gimmicks to an amazing crowd and that can beat any show with proper lighting and huge production with a less fun room of people. It's the energy - and the exchange of energy between us and the crowd.

What has been your favourite performance to date?

- I got very emotional opening for Elton in Seattle, as two of my biggest US supporters came to see us and it was a real "wow, I've come a long way" moment for me, going from 300 to 14,000 people in a city I love. It was very overwhelming, in a great way, and I loved every second of the show.