RB Exclusive Interview: One on One With Bright Lights

If you don’t know her by name, you’ve certainly heard her voice. Heather Bright is responsible for some of EDM’s biggest records including “Language” with Porter Robinson, “Follow You Down” with Zedd, and “Runaway” with 3LAU, just to name a few. I had the opportunity to ask this fabulous songstress a few questions about her musical background, experience as a female dj, and her music as well as future music, and was very pleased with what she had to say.

RB: When did you start making music, and why?

“I’ve been singing and performing since I could pretty much talk. My parents will tell you I was always fascinated by music. My father was a pastor and he would bring me up on stage to sing, even before I knew what to do with a microphone. I wrote my first song when I was 8, began touring around 13, started producing around 19… but I didn’t professionally start making music (meaning that it actually paid my bills) until my mid 20’s. It’s really a dream come true to make a career out of something you love and have been doing your whole life.”

RB: What genre would you call your music, and whats your favorite style to produce?

“The one thing that will always remain true to my music is the pop and soul of it all. That will never go away. This first Bright Lights album in particular is a pop project that’s rooted in dance. So you’ll hear deep house, trap, chillwave, tropical house, progressive, electro, and a full spectrum of dance. But the glue to it all is the pop/soul vocal and the catchy hooks. This first album is very fun and upbeat with an emotional, raw edge to it. It’s the most honest I’ve ever been musically.”

RB: As a female DJ, why do you think there aren’t more of you in the industry? Why so outweighed by dudes?

“The dance world is very clearly a man’s world. When you look at the numbers of it all, the dance world has a very male-dominated audience. Typically, artists make the kind of music that they’re fans of… So if DJ’s are coming out of the fan base, it’s already a man’s world. The dance world is all about production. Who is making the tracks? But the pop world is the exact opposite. It’s all about the singer and the songwriting, with way less focus on the production. The pop world is also primarily a female driven marketplace. One of my first concerts was a Korn / Kid Rock / Limp Bizkit show that I snuck out of the house to attend (I think my parents thought I was at Bible study or something lol). I’ll never forget the feeling and the raw energy that was coming off that stage. There wasn’t much singing and there weren’t many girls, but I felt at home. I think part of the reason I’m able to exist as a DJ/producer in the dance world, despite being a singer/songwriter first, is because I love that energy. I love the aggression and rage of it all. It’s part of what keeps me sane. I’m half boy in that way I suppose.”

RB: Do you think the industry is sexist in the sense that it may be harder for a female to make it big than a male?
“I think it’s harder for females across the board in any industry. There are always hurdles to cross, but I try to use it to my advantage instead of seeing it as a disadvantage. I love my sexuality and who I am. I deliver a solid product at the end of the day, just as good as any man. So if someone wants to treat me as though I’m less than… I honestly don’t allow it. The one thing I will say has helped a lot is having some truly amazing men on my team. That has been very helpful in finalizing deals with big corporations and/or other cultures. I really do appreciate the strength that a man brings to the table. I always make the final decisions, but I don’t want to lose the girly side of myself to this business. I prefer to save my aggression for the stage.”

RB: What advice can you give to female DJ’s in the making?

“Lots of girl power questions here! Haha… I love it. The most important thing is to stay true to yourself. And if you don’t know who you are just yet, that’s okay too. Experiment with a million different things until you find your home. Don’t ever feel as though you have to leverage your sexuality to be accepted in this business because that’s a lie. If your music is great, that’s all that matters, and the rest will come. It’s okay to show off your sexuality, it’s part of who we all are… but make sure it’s on your own terms and for the right reasons. Women have more power than we often realize, simply because of who we are.”

RB: You’ve worked with some big names like Hardwell, 3LAU, Porter Robinson, and Zeds Dead, who was your favorite?
“Haha! That’s like asking who’s your favorite baby daddy! I love them all in their own unique way. You should see my face when I turn around to see someone I’ve released a record with… I truly care for these people. In a weird way, we’re family and always will be. When you make a song with someone, you are connected to that person for life. So my little heart always swells when I hear their names, or see them doing well. And to now have Hardwell and Dannic supporting my debut single and to have 3LAU involved means more than I can put into words.”

RB: You’ve worked with 3LAU on multiple tracks, which one of them do you like best?

“Justin and I have great chemistry together. So when I find that rare spark of magic with someone, I like to keep working. He’s really good at finishing a record, which is often times the hardest and most tedious part… the sound design, mixing, mastering, arrangements, etc. We also gravitate towards a lot of the same stuff musically. “How You Love Me” will always been one of my favorite songs from us, though I do love them all in different ways.”

RB: I love your most recent track with 3LAU “Runaway”, its got such a unique sound to it. How did you guys come up with this masterpiece?

“Oh thank you! I started writing this song with a good friend of mine from Swizerland, DJ Freedo. He came up with the chords and a track idea, and during his break one afternoon, I wrote the lyrics/melody and recorded it. He was freaking out when he got back because I had finished the song in less than an hour. So I tested it one night at a show in Orlando (the benefits of being a DJ). Justin was also playing that night. He came running from the greenroom onto the stage. “What is this?! What’s this song?!” I told him it was a song from my album. He said he loved it and asked if he could help. Sonically, the song wasn’t where it needed to be for the club or the radio. So he helped with the sound design, the mix/master and also adjusted the arrangement. He shopped the deal and ran point on the business as well. So it was really the three of us that came together to make this happen.”

RB: Who’s your role model in the music industry?

“I have so many. The first person who came to mind was Madonna. I love how bold and fearless she was in the beginning of her career. She would literally show up at the clubs, walk right up to the DJ and say “hey play this!” If you look at the pop charts from the 80’s, she dominated. And her tours were incredible! Technically, she didn’t have the best voice, but there was magic in it. The songwriting was some of the best that’s ever been. Even the background vocals and arrangements were amazing. This all happened because of who she was… she wasn’t crafted or created by the industry. She was a real artist and the captain of her own ship. I really admire that.”

RB: What’s next for Bright Lights?

“I’ll be releasing a few more singles from the album before the full album hits in 2016. The energy and excitement surrounding this project has been growing very fast. We’re lining up some new tour dates and I’ve been releasing a ton of exclusive songs on the website, via our mailing list. I’ve also been doing some fun fashion campaigns and editorial spreads that I’m excited to share! Thank you guys so much for the love and support. It means a whole bunch!”

It’s nice hearing from a female dj who has made it so big and that’s something I hope to see more of. This girl knows what she’s doing when it comes to music and I cant wait to hear her upcoming singles and album!

Connect With Bright Lights:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brightlights333/
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/brightlights333
Instagram: https://instagram.com/brightlights333/?hl=en