roundup
WHAT’S ON OUR RADAR THIS MONTH.
Q&A
BRIGHT LIGHT
BRIGHT LIGHT
The Neath-born
synthpop singer,
also known as
Rod Thomas, is
returning to Wales
after taking his
music around the
world and making
music with
Elton John.
How would you describe your music to those who haven’t
heard it?
I guess it’s electronic pop music that shimmers a little with guitars,
piano and strings, but also pounds with dance floor friendly and
club-influenced beats. I’m not really interested in making EDM, as
it’s commonly called – that’s not my forte, I don’t think – so there
are organic elements in all the songs, whether it’s a guitar, a piano,
choral vocals or just a little glockenspiel note here and there.
Where does your passion for music come from?
Maybe growing up as an only child in the Neath valleys? Radio was
my gateway to a whole new world of sounds, places, emotions
and cultures. I loved listening to new music, and I loved the feel of
cassettes, CDs and records. I think because the experience was so
different from my own, and I could feel part of a world a hundred
miles away from the sleepy calm of the green valleys, it always drew
me in. I always sang, I can’t remember a time where I didn’t at least
sing along to a radi