Guest Post: Bright Light Bright Light and his favourite songs

This is a guest post by Bright Light Bright Light, otherwise known as Rod Thomas, a Welsh songwriter, producer, remixer and multi-instrumentalist. He is recording his album with Andy Chatterley, Boom Bip and Friendly which is due later this year. Rod has also been running his own record label, Self Raising Records, since 2006. He recently put out a remix of Ellie Goulding's "Under The Sheets" which can be downloaded below.

Download:
Ellie Goulding - Under The Sheets (Bright Light Bright Light Boys Remix)




Bright Light Bright Light talks about his favourite music at the moment:


Muchuu - "Somebody Tell Me"
www.myspace.com/muchuumusic

My friend Sam played me their track "Somebody Tell Me" after a gig and a few beers at his place, and I fell in love with it. They're super young, super talented in terms of production and melody, and have this wonderful ethereal/fairytale sound to their music. I've only heard their first few tracks but if they are the benchmark they could be a band that makes a big impression very soon.


Final Fantasy/Owen Pallett - "Keep The Dog Quiet"

My German friend took to me to a show of his in London and it was only the 2nd time I'd seen someone use a loop pedal (which I was learning how to do to), and he really gave me a kick start. I'd never seen someone so proficient, inventive and confident in their craft. His melodies just soar, and tracks like "This Is The Dream Of Win & Regine". I think are some of the most beautiful of recent times. Something about the tone of his voice just gets me. Heartland is a fantastic album and is spinning in my house all the time.


Post War Years - "That's All"
www.myspace.com/postwaryears

Post War Years are literally one of the greatest live bands I've ever seen. I lived in their home town for university but never knew them, and stumbled across them through a friend, and could not believe how tight they were on stage, how intricate their parts are, and how instantly memorable their songs are. Such a fantastic sight to behold on stage, and such an essential album, especially closer "That's All" which just brings down the house.


The Venus Stare - "Close To You"
www.myspace.com/venusstare

This band messaged me on MySpace as I run a little label called Self Raising Records. They're a 4 piece who make big 80s sounding power-ballads that could easily feature in films like Pretty In Pink or Mannequin. I'm putting out their debut single "Close To You" on 22 March and can't stop listening to this Fear Of Tigers remix. He's just made his album available for free on the internet (and it's fantastic by the way) and delivered this killer pop remix for us. It makes me want to dance walking to the studio every morning!

Download:
The Venus Stare - Close To You (Fear Of Tigers Remix) [Removed]


Mansfield.tya - "Pour Oublier Je Dors"
www.myspace.com/mansfieldtya

I found this track on a blog a few years ago and it absolutely blew me away. It's so simple, so sparse, but all the parts in it are killer. The string line is devastating and the piano part so amazingly delicate. It's a really dark tale - in French - about someone murdering their lover and hiding their teeth so they don't get caught (or so my French would have me believe). It's so dark, so intense, but so beautiful. My favourite ever internet find.


James Yuill - "This Sweet Love [Bright Light Bright Light Remix]"
www.myspace.com/jamesyuill

James has been one of my best friends since we played a show together in March 2008. And he's such a talented musician. I've seen his career snowball in the last year and it's been so great to see someone with genuine talent get the recognition they deserve. We've remixed each other and gigged together, and I've listened to his debut album Turning Down Water For Air to death. It's SO good. This is a remix of his signature tune "This Sweet Love" that I did.

Download:
James Yuill - This Sweet Love (Bright Light Bright Light Remix) [Removed]