Stage name of Rod Thomas, born in Neath, Wales (UK) in 1982 or 1983. He learned to play several instruments as a child including the piano. His first forays into music were more folk-based, led by acoustic guitar and, due to a lack of equipment, with minimal beats around it. Thomas later stated that his dalliance with folk was due to his lack of knowledge with production techniques, and that he was always drawn to house and synthpop. He left Wales to take a place reading English literature and creative writing at Warwick University, and after that, made the move to London. In London he set up a studio at his home, and spent the rush hours busking the London tube stations. In 2009 he sent some demo tracks to American producer Boom Bip, which resulted in Thomas being invited to Los Angeles for two weeks to work on tracks together. Boom Bip’s production on the song ‘A New Word To Say’ helped Rod to find “his sound”.
Thomas released ‘Love Part II’, his first single under the name Bright Light Bright Light, in 2010 on the Popjustice Hi-Fi label. Thomas chose the name ‘Bright Light Bright Light’ from a quote spoken by the character Gizmo in the 1984 movie Gremlins. 2010 also saw him tour as the support act for Ellie Goulding. The singles ‘Disco Moment’ and ‘Feel It’ followed through 2011 and 2012, and after appearances at Bestival in the UK and South by South West in the US he released his debut album ‘Make Me Believe In Hope’ in 2012. The album received generally positive reviews from music critics and bloggers.
In 2013, the EP ‘In Your Care’ was released followed by a second single from Thomas’ second album, ‘I Wish We Were Leaving’ featuring Elton John. Following the song’s release, Thomas toured with Elton John during the summer of 2014. Bright Light Bright Light’s second album ‘Life is Easy’ was released in the UK on 7 July 2014. Thomas spent most of 2014 and 2015 touring as the opening act for Elton John in the USA, Canada, UK, Europe & Russia playing 55 shows.
The year 2016 saw his third album ‘Choreography’ released, entering the UK Album Chart at No. 72. He also released a collection called ‘Solo Piano Versions’, which included a cover version of Love and Anger.
Aside from creating his own music, Thomas runs a Time Out New York Recommended daytime dance party in New York (which also transfers to London when touring) called ‘Romy & Michele’s Saturday Afternoon Tea Dance’, named after the movie ‘Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion’, one of his favourite films. The party takes place both in Brooklyn and at Club Cumming, a bar in Manhattan’s East Village run by Alan Cumming, who stars in the film that inspired the event.
