Turn on the Bright Lights

Vocalist/guitarist Jason Hart used to play in Spiritualized. He’s now formed The Orange Lights with pianist, Paul Tucker, formerly of The Lighthouse Family. uk-fusion hears just how, when, and why he did this, along with the perils of beach-based nookie

Both Paul and I had a fair helping of personal shit to wade through, some difficult times, so we could only really work on stuff when we had it in us. That meant it did take slightly longer than normal. But once we got through that and the skeleton of the album came together, it all started to pick up momentum. We had no-one breathing down our necks with time constraints etc., we'd just bunker down in the studio in Newcastle and when it was finished, it was finished. It did take a while but we wanted the album to be the best it could be. That was all that mattered.
You set up your own record label to release your material. Which artists would you like to sign to join your on your roster?
We've got enough on sorting ourselves out, to be honest. I don’t think that's really on the cards for the time being.
From the photos I’ve seen, you seem very fashion conscious. So, what’s going to be the look this autumn?
It won't be pork pie hats and skinny ties I can tell you that. And it’s not going to be five stinking scruffy indie blokes either. You'll just have to wait and see...
What has Ken Nelson contributed to your sound?
Ken knows how to make things sound absolutely beautiful. A different microphone here, a different guitar lead there, the guy is a scientist, no shit. We've all completely given up any ideas of knob-twiddling after hanging around with him for three months .
And Chris Potter?
Same deal really. Chris produced Urban Hymns. I mean, what more is there to be said? Every time I hear ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. It sounds so huge and emotional. It’s all about the detail with these guys, that and buckets of patience. It was inspiring to work with two top-drawer producers; we were very fortunate.
Have Newcastle United finally got it right by appointing Big Sam Allardyce?
I hate football these days, so I'm afraid I don't know who's who. I'd rather celebrate my own tiny victories rather than pretend I've achieved something by watching eleven overpaid blokes win a game. That probably sounds a bit harsh, but it’s the truth.
Finally, what’s only kinky the first time?
Sex on the beach. Seems like a good idea at the time, but there's way too much sand.

The Orange Lights release their debut album Life Is Still Beautiful on their own label, Blackbird, on 10th September.