Birmingham SlossFest profile: The Bright Light Social Hour
The Bright Light Social Hour perform at Stubb's in Austin, Texas. The band mixes a progressive attitude with Southern musical ingredients. (Roger Ho)
Performer: The Bright Light Social Hour
Type of music: Psychedelic rock
About: University of Texas students Curtis Roush and Jack O’Brien released a self-titled album in 2010, their first, and immediately got traction, winning six awards at SXSW 2011 Austin Music Awards.
“We’re all ostensibly Southerners,” Roush said. “The South has great food, a relaxed pace and sweet, well-mannered folk. However, a lot of issues aren’t going away.” On their second album, “Space Is Still the Place,” the group croons about Southern dichotomies. “You can love barbecue and not be a racist,” Curtis said.
The group’s style is tabbed “Future South”: “Taking forms and influences from soul, blues and gritty Southern music and ushering them forward.”
Follow The Bright Light Social Hour on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
Discography: “The Bright Light Social Hour” and “Space Is Still the Place.”
You might have heard: “Sweet Madelene,” considered the “most Southern rock” of the bunch.
Playing at SlossFest: The Bright Light Social Hour will play on the Shed stage Saturday, July 16, 1:45-2:30 p.m.
Sloss Music and Arts Festival takes place at the historic Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham July 16-17 and features 34 performers on three stages. Tickets can be purchased here.
