The Bitter End is far from being bitter, it is the sweetest place to happen to fall into on a chilly Saturday. The Bitter End is home away from home with great bartenders and a very awesome crowd. NY Lights took the stage and won our hearts over with indie rock tunes and an endearing presence. We were especially fond of the lead singer’s (Philip A. Jimenez) look, suede coat and fur hat – which definitely caught the crowd’s attention. The song that resonated to me the most was “Everyone Says,” a catchy lovelorn song that I couldn’t help but smile; I slowly and surely fell in love with NY Lights.
We caught up with NY Lights and asked them what makes them tick!!
So why NY Lights as your band name? Do you pronounce is as NY Lights or New York Lights? It’s a pretty sweet name!
It is pronounced New York lights. Glad you like it. It’s a reference to returning home, flying in to JFK and seeing the glowing lights of New York below. It’s about a homecoming, a I return to the familiar after a journey.
“Everyone Says,” is beautiful and slightly melancholic. It honestly reminds me of high school and the things you’ve wanted to say but couldn’t. What was the inspiration behind it?
“Everyone is Saying” is definitely about a time in life when you feel no one understands you, no one but say one person. You decide to live in an imagined or possibly real exile with that person. When I sing “Everyone is saying I’m in love with you, but I’m not. I just don’t want to be cold in the evening” I like to think that’s a lie, and in fact I am in love, just embarrassed or too shy to admit it. The chorus is a list of historic figures that lived in exile at some point. I think living in exile can seem dangerous, but dangerous things can be very romantic.
Any surreal experiences as a band? I think we all have some sort of surreal story especially in New York City.
Being in a band playing NY is in itself a surreal experience. None of it makes sense, it’s illogical like a hazy dream, it’s a little crazy but you do it because you have to.
What inspired you guys to make music together?
I started writing these songs while living in Manly, Australia. I was in the habit of taking 5 to 10 mile walks through the bush and along the beach every morning. During that time these songs were talking shape, but I had no band back in NY when I got returned. I would try to imagine what we would look and sounds. I would try to imagine rehearsals.
When Kathryn (bass player) and I returned to Huntington NY a year ago we started to record. One night in the studio my friend Dan came by with his brother and some friends. I showed them the first couple songs I finished and pretty much with in the week Dan was the NY lights guitarist, and his brother Tom was the drummer. Shortly after my friend Andrew Stein joined on piano, organ, and vocals.
We are inspired by great songs and bands of yesteryear. Especially Harry Nilsson, Dylan, Beatles
How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?
I think the music has a bit of wild energy as a band that isn’t there when I record alone.
We are really starting to listen. I think listening is the most important part of making music with others.
We are wrapping up the recording of our 1st record album this week, and we are very happy with the direction it’s taken. It is going to be available in the next few months. I think it’s going to be a smash 😉
Article by: Karen Silva
Cover photo: Rich Stein
