Electro-pop singer performs at University Centre
Electro-rock star Lights shook the University Center last Friday while dropping the pop and embracing the rock. After the show, we had a chance to talk about everything from the gradual change of her sound, to life as a mom and whether or not she can do the Macarana.
Lights took the stage with her band and opened with “Muscle Memory.” Lights was singing, dancing, and playing keyboard for most of the night. She also played many other instruments throughout the show. The synth and solid bass vibrated through the building and hit with a surprising punch that could be compared to Phantogram. While such a comparison would seem unconventional, it is really just Lights’ new sound changing and growing.
“Well you know, that’s where the records have been going, especially with Siberia. It was meant to be more dynamic and rough around the edges,” said Lights when asked if she was getting ready to cut the pop and add more rock. “Even this record was recorded with the band live, or [rather] off the floor. That was meant to bring some of the energy we have live.”
Little Machines is the title of Lights newest record and it has a range of themes, but Lights described this as her “feel good” record. Bringing her new baby Rocket into the world just under a year ago might have something to do with it.
“It’s funny, people think you get old when you have kids, but you get young – you get so much younger. We’re doing animal sounds and monster sounds, relearning how to teach the alphabet. It’s so cute,” said Lights.
Lights started out as the space princess of pop but has gradually, with dignity intact and a strong resolve, began to shed that image. This change could actually be a case study on how to change your sound without copious amounts of scandal.
It would not be surprising to see Lights performing with bands like Mother Mother and Arcade Fire. Her fans are growing up and so is her sound.
“I feel like everybody’s in it together and I want to write what I feel can be identified by the listeners. I feel we’re like a big family growing up together,” said Lights.
It’s an exciting for time for Lights and whatever comes next will undoubtedly be broadcast over the airwaves. Maybe a new heavy single with husband Beau Bokan? One can only hope.
After the show Lights, and I had a chance to chat. As a primer, she seemed into everything we were talking about, as she sat legs crossed under her, sitting sideways on the couch with so much energy that she seemed she was ready to perform another set. Her astrally adorable baby, Rocket, was in the room with dad Beau. Throughout the interview, there were great laugh breaks set to Rocket’s schedule and even some inspired acting.
[…]ZR: I was trying to do as much research for this before I met you.
Lights: (Laughing) There’s a lot out there.
ZR: A lot, a lot. Something I found out there was a song called “Perfect,” and it made me wonder – from “Perfect” to “Portal” is a huge difference. Would you say that you’ve grown with your music?
Lights: For sure, absolutely. Every time. It’s funny to make [a connection] from “Perfect” to “Portal” because “Perfect” wasn’t written for me. I wrote that for the show Instant Star. It was in the head of the main character I was writing for that season. It was supposed to be a song for her. It’s a funny example to bring up, because it’s one of the songs that’s out there [that] I wrote with another person in mind. Everything I write is for myself, but even within that, everything has changed. It’s a funny one to reference. The lyrics in that song, even, “I’m just a girl/ I won’t be changing the world,” I don’t personally believe that.
ZR: I didn’t think you did. It doesn’t mirror your music now.
Lights: Exactly.
ZR: I knew it wasn’t written for you at the time, but it was an interesting choice of writing compared to where you are now.
Lights: Totally.
ZR: I look where you are now, and I hear that song “Don’t Go Home Without Me,” and the growth really shows.
Lights: Yeah, it really has. And the cool thing is, I’ve seen the fans growing with it too. I feel like everybody’s in it together and I want to write what I feel can be identified by the listeners. I feel were like a big family growing up together, and […]
(A tiny scream of joy comes from Rocket across the room, while her dad, Beau Bokan, is taking her for a ride in one of the office chairs).
Check out The Ontarion’s website for the full-length interview!