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| photo by Alex Petch |
On Sunday night, I caught Elton John’s second show at
Staples Center in Los Angeles.
An added bonus was Bright Light Bright Light
(a.k.a. Rod Thomas) - easily one of the best opening acts I’ve seen all year.
In addition to performing on West Coast dates, they also did
a U.K. and European tour together recently.
Life
is Easy, the impressive full-length album by Bright Light Bright
Light, came out this past July, while his I
Wish We Were Leaving EP - whose title track features a duet with Elton John
– emerged in the spring.
"I Wish We Were Leaving" is about “accepting
your relationship with someone you care about – friends or lovers," said Thomas,
upon its release. "Sometimes you end up wishing for more from than they're
able to give – so it's better to be honest about what your actual relationship
is and enjoy it for what it is."
A surprise call prompted the collaboration with the Rock ‘n’
Roll Hall of Famer, long known for championing under-the-radar artists.
"When I was producing the song on a very dramatic
rainy day, I had a phone call from Elton saying he liked my first album, which
blew my mind," Thomas recalled. "From then, I kept hearing his voice
on the track. In time, I played him [the song] 'I Wish We Were Leaving' and he
added his vocals. Although it wasn't written as a duet, I love that his voice
taking lead in the second verse is a reminder that every relationship has two
sides and two voices."
"Working with Bright Light Bright Light was a
challenge for me as I love Electronica but am quite ignorant on the recording
process," explained John in a press release. "I had to sing in a completely different
way which I really enjoyed. The song spoke to me as soon as I first heard it,
and I think that the combination of our voices is ethereal and beautiful... as
is the song."
During the 25-minute opening set in L.A., Thomas added
percussion to some of his electronic pop songs and was accompanied by a drummer
and synth/keyboards player. From the stage, he graciously thanked Elton John for taking a
chance on an independent artist from the Welsh countryside.
The sumptuous Life
is Easy tracks easily transcended the cavernous arena. “More Than Most” featured
a prominent piano line, delicate vocal delivery and positive lyric: “try to let
your heart out from wherever it may be/let it feel the sunlight.”
A sensual, high energy “I Believe” was marked by a tasty percolating
synth line. Then there was the danceable performance highlight “An Open Heart” (dedicated
to Elton), with prominent lush synth and Thomas hopefully singing, “you need to
hold onto a good thing and let yourself believe in all the love that comes.”
Fans of The Postal Service, Erasure (Thomas has done a remix
of the British duo’s single "Make It Wonderful"), Midge Ure and Moby would be
wise to check Bright Light Bright Light’s music out.
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