Interview: LIGHTBOXES

Lightboxes liken themselves to Jamie XX and Young Fathers. With rhythms that are accessible Donna Thompsons’ captivating vocals have an eerie solitude. With glistening choruses that resolve over intricate beats there is a winning formula the duo have that will soon see them gaining attention. For now, they’re all about building a fan base song by song! The Antidote caught up with the band below..

What are you guys up to at the moment?

We've just released our single, Something Else, through a new singles label called Sweet Release Records and are currently working on recording a couple new tracks.

For those that aren't familiar with you, how would you describe your sound?

Layered rhythms, glitchy loops, double bass and crafty melodies. 

Why the name Lightboxes?

We got the name from a book by Shane Jones. 

Do you guys have a particular musical direction or vibe you're trying to achieve and are there any artist who are on a similar tip?

We like to experiment with sounds and rhythms while simultaneously keeping the end product accessible. Quite enjoying Young Fathers, who do a similar thing with their vibe and there are quite a few bangers on the new Jamie xx album that are really fresh that play around with a similar approach. 

What would we find in the category of 'guilty pleasures' in your music collection?

Donna: I never feel guilty for listening to most music but 'Break my stride' by Matthew Wilder isn't one that I would bust out at a gathering.... But I love it.

John: Well...Most of my music collection is made up of guilty pleasures but East German 80's pop powerhouse, Modern Talking, has ruined many a party. 

You guys are a duo but your recorded stuff sounds so full. Do you worry about how it will translate live?

We're really fortunate to have two really amazing musicians, Sarah Williams White and Nick Powell, play in our live band so it's never really a worry, it's actually pretty enjoyable working out ways to put it together for live context.  

You just did a BBC live session...What's next for you?

We've got a single due out in early 2016 so we're busy in the studio at the moment.

In terms of reaching your goals...what challenges do you face?

Balancing work and creative time is our biggest challenge at the moment. If only we didn't have to eat, we'd have so much more time for our music. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lightboxesmusic/
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/lightboxes