In the summer of 1984, my parents took my sister and I to see Gremlins, and it scared the bejesus out of me - whatever the word "bejesus" means. An avid moviegoer and fan of executive producer Steven Spielberg, the film selection seemed like a no-brainer for my parents and I even though I was eight years old. But, after the sweet introduction to Gizmo - the second the Gremlins appeared (or didn't - I bolted after the science teachers gets it), I bolted the theater in tears. That brings me to today's A-Sides. Say what? Yes. My favorite Mogwai's catchphrase was "bright light bright light," and the name of our first artist today is just that: Bright Light Bright Light. Convoluted opening graphs aside, this singer/songwriter is quite good whether you feed him after midnight or not.
The Welsh artist, who NME described as the male "Robyn," has been touring in support of his substantive danceable pop debut Make Me Believe In Hope. While Bright Light Bright Light AKA Rod Thomas' album has an electro-pop feel, his performances on A-Sides recently were as stripped down as Felicity Huffman in Transamerica.
Watch Thomas perform "Immature" below, and marvel at the subtly when compared to the album version. Of the track, BL-squared explained, "It's the last song I wrote for the album, and it's a nice summing up of where I was at the end of the recording process." Expanding on that, he said, "I learned a lot about what I wanted through making the record, and really enjoyed the time making it, so the song is a self-check moment where I made myself remember that what I do makes me very happy, and to enjoy the moment instead of worrying about what could happen."
Watch. Listen. Love.
For an exclusive performance of "Cry at Films," visit www.asidesmusic.com
The unofficial indie music queen may very well be related to Anthony Michael Hall. How's that for an opening sentence you never thought you'd read ever? Yep, you might say Mary C was destined to enter the world of showbiz. Her mom is acclaimed artist Mercedes Hall, while her brother is that aforementioned iconic "Brat Packer" whose career has had legs long since he retired his skinny body and "geek" persona. But, there's more to good genes for this New York City born soul singer, who has drawn comparisons to everyone from Teena Marie to Adele. For me, or "this reporter" as my journalism professors used to drill into my head, Mary C is simply Mary C: an electrifying performer who is killing it with her band The Stellars. Watch her perform "Paper Moons" below with her band. It's all kinds of awesome.
Mary C and The Stellars "Paper Moons"
Mary C. Interview
Bonus Jonas:
Here's an exclusive A-Sides performance from The Jezabels filmed earlier this fall. It's simply the best... someone cue Tina Turner.
About A-Sides with Jon Chattman:
Jon Chattman's music series features artists (established or not) from all genres performing a track, and discussing what it means to them. This informal series focuses on the artist making art in a low-threatening, extremely informal (sometimes humorous) way. No bells, no whistles -- just the music performed in a random, low-key setting followed by an unrehearsed chat. In an industry where everything often gets overblown and over manufactured, I'm hoping this is refreshing.