Big Things Heading For Brightlight City
It’s a busy start to the year for London Rockers, Birghtlight City, with gigs through February to early March. The five-piece tell me all about their past and future plans.
Brothers Jamie and Justin Giarraputo, from Epsom, have played in numerous bands since their teens, but a chance meeting with meeting friends Joe Edwards and bassist Dan Stubberfield, along with Aussie friend Jono Staunton, meant Brightlight City was born.
Justin describes the band’s sound as being energetic with lots of hooks and a quirky sound. The inspiration behind their lyrics isn’t the stereotypical heart break but from a darker side. Jono smiles “It’s more sort of death, dark things, ghosts, cults, movies and books” Justin looks over and laughs “Don’t worry; he won’t sign you up to a cult”.
“Gigging is the key” smiles Justin. The band are regulars of Croydon’s scream lounge, but the band are preparing to reach a much broader audience. With Redfest under their belts and a string of gigs in the next few months, they are prepared for much larger audiences. “Redfest was really good, apart from the merch stall,” he adds “We were standing there thinking no one will come over but we sold quite a few bits” Smiles Justin. Joe adds “The hardest part was trying to sign the t-shirts, we looked illiterate” he laughs.
The band formed in 2010 and spent most of the year recording three singles – enough to grab the attention of agents who are now hoping to propel the group to stardom.
In the past few weeks the group have been in their recording studio. “It’s hard to explain what it sounds like, a big epic feel, still catchy but more rock and aggression in the delivery” says Jamie. The band has an eclectic taste in music and influences. Joe flicks his scarf back and simply says “were to start?” the group laughs. Each member has their own influences but they all agree that a strong melody and lyrics are what they look for. A few of their influences include The Beach Boys, The Police, Biffy Clyro, The Clash, Pearl Jam and some hard-core metal bands.
Brightlight City has been fortunate enough to write the sound track to a few films including Big Fat Gypsy Gangster and Jack Falls. Although Jamie says “It wasn’t Brightlight City it was us, but not our music,” he adds “we just had to write songs but in styles of other things.” Justin continues “I remember getting drunk at the premier for Jack falls and I took that off the wall,” He points at the poster on the wall “Sitting on the tube with it was fun” he laughs.
Throughout February and March, Brightlight City have a string of gigs first of which is in Camden, Jubilee Club: https://www.facebook.com/events/104079136429391/
To find out more about gigs and band information follow the band on twitter and like them on facebook: