Austin-based band, The Bright Light Social Hour, return with their highly anticipated album, Emergency Leisure. True to their signature style, the tracks in this album are filled with psychedelic and dreamy vibes that never fail to mesmerise.
Focus track, "Lifers Only", showcases the band's spacey vocals and electric guitars, accompanied by a bassline that creates tension through its syncopated rhythm. Jackie says, "It's about accepting that you're doomed to a life of music. When my daughter was born it unlocked a level of love I didn't think was possible, and that love extended to music. "
The album kicks off with the previously released single, “Not New”, a funky and upbeat track driven by drums and bass. Following that is “Most High”, a poignant and heart-wrenching song inspired by the passing of Jackie’s brother. Jackie describes the profound experience, “My brother (and the band's longtime manager) passed away in my arms on the shore of Lake Travis. As crazy as it sounds, it was an uncannily beautiful moment. I witnessed the sky opening by way of some monolithic, benevolent, divine force. I was filled with sublime peace and ecstatic joy, deeply humbled in the face of supreme love. Total life affirmed in death.”
Emergency Leisure delivers a diverse sonic experience, with energetic tracks infused with disco rhythms like "Eating Out My Mind" and "Call My Name", adding a dynamic range to the album. These lively songs provide a contrast to the slower and more chilled tracks such as “Swollen” and “Empty Fields”.
The band comments on the album’s creation, "On the precipice of pandemic, we embarked on a tour that would eventually see the departure of two band members and a near-total pause of our careers. But in the midst of our confusion and before the curtains dropped, we had a cosmic night at Bar L’Escogriffe in Montreal. After our set, we set aside years of struggle and quite simply danced the night away. As Jack and I rebuilt the band in the twilight days of pandemic with new members Zac, Mia, and Alfredo, this night served as our North Star. In our home studio on Lake Travis outside Austin, we forged “Emergency Leisure” to bring this after-hours magic to our dear fans and listeners. We needed the break then, we certainly needed the break during the pandemic years, and we need it now all the same. Come dance the night away with us. We’ve missed you."
Connect with The Bright Light Social Hour: Instagram | Website | Facebook
The Bright Light Social Hour – Tour Dates 2023
July 29 – Carbondale, CO – Mountain Fair
August 4-5 – Ninilchik, AK – Salmonfest Alaska
August 30 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl*
August 31 – Nashville, TN – The Basement*
September 1 – Asheville, NC – The Grey Eagle*
September 2 – Raleigh NC – The Pour House*
September 3 – Richmond, VA – Richmond Music Hall*
September 4 – Washington, DC – Songbyrd*
September 7 – Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live*
September 8 – New York, NY – Mercury Lounge*
September 10 – Boston, MA – Sonia*
September 12 – Montreal, QC – Bar Le Ritz
September 13 – Ottawa, ON – Mavericks*
September 14 – Toronto, ON – Adelaide Hall*
September 15 – Kalamazoo, MI – Bell's*
September 16 – Chicago, IL – Schubas*
September 17 – Kansas City, MO – Encore at Uptown Theater*
September 29 – Arlington, TX – Levitt Pavilion %
September 30 – Austin, TX – Mohawk %
October 7 – Mexico City, MX – Bajo Circuito $
October 19 – Santa Fe, NM – Meow Wolf*
October 20 – Phoenix, AZ – Valley Bar*
October 21 – Joshua Tree, CA – Pappy + Harriet's*
October 24 – San Diego, CA – Voodoo Room @ House of Blues*
October 25 – Santa Ana, CA – Constellation Room*
October 26 – Los Angeles, CA – Gold Diggers*
October 27 – Morro Bay, CA – The Siren*
October 28 – San Francisco, CA – Brick & Mortar*
October 29 – Sacramento, CA – The Starlet Room at Harlow's*
October 31 – Bend, OR – Volcanic Theatre Pub*
November 2 – Portland, OR – Holocene*
November 3 – Seattle, WA – Freakout! Fest
November 4 – Victoria, BC – Victoria Event Center*
November 5 – Vancouver, BC – Biltmore Cabaret*
November 9 – Boise, ID – Neurolux #
November 10 – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court #
November 11 – Denver, CO – Globe Hall #
* = with Choses Sauvages
% = with Good Looks
$ = with Vondré
# = with Demob Happy