“Go For Launch” by New Jersey band Bright Shining Lights is your aural ticket to an
astral odyssey. Most songs about space travel assume that interstellar journeys will be
serene – and this one has echoes of Syd Barrett’s early Pink Floyd classic “Set The
Controls For The Heart Of The Sun”.
The band is really just a duo: Art Gusmano on vocals/keys and Rob Maru on guitars and
bass. “Go For Launch” is the first track on Bright Shininh Lights’ ambitious new album The Sun Is A Star.
“‘Go For Launch’ was the conceptual starting point for the the record,” says Gusmano.
“This idea of a journey through the unknown was something I couldn’t shake. Space
seemed the perfect story.”
“Our influences include Pink Floyd for certain,” adds Gusmano. “As a kid I was always
drawn to the narrative in music and Pink Floyd were masterful at it. But bands like
Radiohead, Yo La Tengo and Peter Gabriel are all over this record. My love for film and
scores led to the likes of Hans Zimmer. I think it’s pretty evident when you listen to the
production of the album, it plays like a film.”
Listen to “Go For Launch” below, and find the new album on the streaming services.
Follow Bright Shining Lights on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
