I spoke to Graham Horne, vocals and guitar for The Barlights last week about the band, their influences, recording their first album and this year’s Hot City Sounds. You can catch them at Chapelfield Gardens and The Brickmakers on 11th July. Also download their first album If It Wasn’t For The Light, The Dark Would Have Killed Us on iTunes.

Lets start with a little background behind the band, how and when did the Barlights come together as a band?
The Barlights was almost a continuation of the various bands that the majority have been in for the last 10+ years. Ade (guitar) joined in Summer of 2006 and we spent half a year trying to concrete how we wanted things to sound.

What influences have helped shape you guys into the band you are?
Influences are many and varied – Bob Dylan, Radiohead, Ryan Adams are 3 that spring immediately to mind. Anything which has got good lyrics and melody. That combination is key to everything we do. The song therefore takes a front seat over any gimmick or genre.

What’s been the band’s biggest or favourite gig to date?
Biggest gig / favourite gig was definitely our album pre launch in March. The fact that the arts centre was sold out was amazing, and the atmosphere felt like gigs I went to growing up. People wanting to be near the front… loud roars after songs were finished. It felt special.

How did it feel going to Leeders Farm and recording your first album?
Leeders Farm was amazing. To do your debut somewhere like that makes you feel very privileged. It was a pleasant couple of days weather wise, so we took the row boat on the pond and had a kick-about in the large football goals between takes. We didn’t overdo the leisure though. The distractions were nice, but we didn’t want to be wasteful. It’s a fantastic studio, and the people who run it treated us as they would have one of the bigger bands they have through their doors.

Are you looking forward to being involved in Hot City Sounds?
Hot City Sounds is undoubtably stronger than last year, and it looks to be a great week of music. We love playing gigs and to be a part of it is special. It’s nice to be considered for such things. And it ‘s nice as we’re in a position where we get offered these things.

Tell us when and where you guys can be seen during Hot City Sounds?
During Hot City Sounds we will be in Chapelfield Gardens at 1pm on 11th July, and again on the same evening headlining the Brickmakers. It should be a good day. We are persuading all our friends / fans to come and join us for a epic day of crawling between the two venues.

What’s next for the barlights?
Next we will be recording an EP back at Leeders Farm in late July, which will hopefully be available in December, with the lovely David Pye.

Click the images above for larger ones and click here to see more photos from their gig at the Waterfront.

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