The Bright Light Social Hour

sxsw 2019

Hey y’all! Katie here - Tour Manager and Lighting Director for The Bright Light Social Hour. Being Austin natives, we tend to take SXSW for granted until we're in the throws of it. Sometimes we forget how lucky we are to call Austin home. This SXSW felt especially precious to us as it became the perfect opportunity to share songs off our new record Jude Vol. I (Modern Outsider) with the world. This record is deeply dear to our hearts as it chronicles our struggles in the immediate aftermath of the death of our longtime manager, and bassist’s brother Alex O’Brien. I followed the boys around with my lomo’ instant wide camera. Here are some snapshots of our week.

You can’t tell here but our booking agent Jesse Rosoff of the United Talent Agency drank Jo Mirasole to oblivion the night before. He’s near death here, moments before opening up for Ghostland Observatory. Big ups to our epic pals Taylor and Austen of the Mohawk for having us.

Curtis Roush on stage at The Mohawk with his beloved Collings I-35LC. I set up my lighting universe next to Curtis every night. Being bathed in his buttery guitar tone is one of the greatest joys of my life. Love you dude!

Me (Katie Bug Marschner) in front of our LED wall at the Modern Outsider showcase at Cheer Up Charlie’s. It started raining during our set and the wind was blowing these LED strips around like CRAZY. It was like running lights on a pirate ship. I still have PTSD anytime I feel a gust of wind on my skin.

Our universal brother Elias Foerster of Sea Moya (Germany - which y’all might not know is actually pronounced Gurrmany) at our showcase at Fine Southern Gentlemen. This dudes dance moves will get you pregnant.

Jackie O’Brien eating a burger that appears to be transcendent of all other foods. The food truck was called “Bob’s Burgers” and im not entirely sure if its legal... but shit was DANK.

Katie Bug and JoJo demolishing some ‘za after our showcase at Fine Southern Gentlemen.

Yo Modelo - is this thing on?? Can we get a sponsorship?! There is no other beer in the world as far as we are concerned.

Curtis Roush and Jackie O’Brien at the Waterloo Records Day Party. Sometimes when we are bored in the van we play kill / fuck / marry. We decided (if we reeeeally had to choose) we would kill dirty 6th, fuck Waterloo Records, and marry KUTX 98.9..

Universal public friend Edward Braillif at the Waterloo Records Day Party. How this dude manages to set up 4 synths with a spaghetti mess of cables during a 15 minute changeover may remain a total mystery until the end of time. Much love for you d00d!

Us celebrating our last showcase of SXSW with a Modelo (what else would anyone even consider drinking anyways??) We played right after total legends Sego (Los Angeles) who just released a new record (sego sucks). CHECK IT OUT! Stoked to see all of our friends (new and old) next year. ALL THE LOVE IN THE UNIVERSE 💜!

For more information on the band @tblsh

For more information on the photographer @djkatiebug

Links:

Jude vol. I

Modern outsider

The United talent agency

Mohawk Austin

Collings guitars

Cheer Up Charlie’s

Sea Moya

Modelo

Waterloo Records