The singer known as Lights is a Toronto electro pop music act. She signed with Warner Bros. in conjunction with Doghouse Records becoming an emerging new artist to watch. She toured in support of her debut album The Listening with Owl City, Keane and Lilith Fair.

With the second album Siberia she headlined in Palatine and most recently at the House of Blues Chicago.

We snuck backstage to catch up with the spritely singer.

Jerry Nunn: Hey, Lights. Welcome back to Chicago.

Lights: It’s great to be back. We were in Palatine for the last concert here and Bottom Lounge this time last year. We are always coming back and I always get Garrett’s Popcorn.

JN: I forgot you like that [both laugh]!

Lights: Way too much. There was a line out the door today.

JN: Speaking of lines out the door, there was a huge line to meet you after the show at the Bottom Lounge last time you played there. Were you able to meet all of them?

Lights: I try my best to always say hi to everyone but when the line is massive if we do photos then it takes too long. With that one we did autographs. I do what I can when I can as long as my body will let me I will do it.

JN: How do you keep a following going?

Lights: I think one of the most important things in having a fan relationship is making them feel invested and vice versa. I know for a fact when there is a relationship there. I know when I’m a fan and find myself spending time looking up their music and finding out more about them or watching their videos. Suddenly that is thirty minutes of my life I spent on that person and that will indicate how much longer you will be a fan. It is about the time invested on the relationship. You put things out there for people to interact with them to see and explore. There are lots of places to find me on the Internet. I think every creator and artist is different. There is not a whole lot of mystery surrounding me.

JN: You are an open book from what I have found.

Lights: Yeah [laughs].

JN: It is great that you make an effort to meet people when you can. There are people outside waiting in the rain for you right now.

Lights: At this stage for sure. I’m not playing arenas so I do what I can.

JN: I loved the stories you told me last time of you and your mom making music videos together.

Lights: Yes, we would make a puppet or something like that. We were trying to have a good time in the process.

JN: You have come so far.

Lights: It’s amazing. You really get a good grasp of where you are. You become very self aware when you have a good relationship with the fans because you don’t get your ego inflated or anything like that. You are always aware of who is coming and what they are like. You still look how far you have come. On Facebook it hit me when we got to a million fans on there. Wow, that’s a million people that know who I am. It’s very humbling.

JN: You have been putting on great shows. I interviewed you last time when you played Subterranean.

Lights: Yes, that was back in 2009. Chicago has always been a fun place so it is easy for us to put on a good show here. That is something we always put effort into. The band is amazing. We always try to make sure the show is different every time so when you have return show goers then it is a new experience for them. There are new songs or a different way of playing that song. It is so important to consider those things when putting on a good show. 

JN: Speaking of new songs you have “Timing Is Everything.”

Lights: That was on Siberia. It was never going to be a single but we just made a video for it. Ken Galloway is an upcoming director who directed it is based in Toronto. He came at us with the idea and said if we could do it for a set amount of money, which was not very much at all, would I make a video for it. I said, “Let’s do it.” It was super fun.

JN: He came to you?

Lights: He came to us. This is the first video that I didn’t write the treatment for. It is kind of amazing. It just happened. Suddenly there was a new song out and people knew about it. People are more inclined to learn new music if there is a video for it.

JN: It has similarities to Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical.” There were gay guys riding bikes together in it.

Lights: That was the cutest. The concept was having three different love stories. That is the story behind the video. It was serendipity. You can meet anywhere anytime and something can spark from that, which is what the song is about. The first couple meets at a late night gym, the last place you would expect to go hunt for love. They find love, go into a dream and bust out of the wall of the gym. It was awesome.

JN: How is your love life?

Lights: I actually got married this year. He’s in the next room right now!

JN: That’s so adorable. When do you have time to balance a relationship? You obviously bring him with you.

Lights: It’s hard but he’s an up and coming musician too. It can be hard because we are on different tours. He’s from the metal world so it is very different. We never tour together.

JN: Where did you meet?

Lights: Weirdly enough we met at a concert that was neither of ours.

JN: So you had a common taste in music.

Lights: Totally.

JN: You are still into Bjork?

Lights: Yes, but lots of different things. I grew up listening to all different types of music so I know a lot about different kinds of music.

JN: What do you think of Ellie Goulding who does similar type of music as yours?

Lights: I can’t be frustrated with her because she’s so great but she messes with my Google search stats. When someone looks up “Lights” it is her album and single so it conflicts with mine?

JN: How do you feel about your friend Owl City? He finally broke through.

Lights: He’s doing really well. The last time we played this venue, the House of Blues, was with him back in 2010. I always support people who have done it themselves. He’s a talented guy. He was making music in his bedroom for years. He’s the real deal. He’s making it because he really enjoys making it. I always love that kind of success.

JN: What is the story behind “My Boots?” I love that song.

Lights: Awesome. It was a one off too. It was never on an album. It was one of those songs that flowed out. It has a lot of different meanings behind it. The initial inspiration for it was winter like a romantic lady winter. She’s beautiful yet she’s so evil.

JN: It almost sounds like a summer song.

Lights: Yeah but I was thinking as a Canadian we think about winter so much I might as well make a song that celebrates it. I like the love/hate properties of it.

JN: I wrote a travel story in Toronto last Christmas.

Lights: It must have been cold in December.

JN: It was snowing but beautiful.

Lights: I’m glad you appreciate it. I love Toronto.

JN: I loved it and just walked over to the gay bars from my hotel.

Lights: Yeah, on Church Street. That is a good area too.  You have to come for Pride in the summer. It’s insane. The first station in Toronto to play my music was on PrideFM. I love them so much.

JN: I didn’t know that. When do you have new music coming out?

Lights: After this tour. This is the last tour of Siberia then I will start working on new songs. I need to fully dive in. It is hard for me to write on the road. I’m just starting to dip my toes in the new stuff right now but it is the next step for sure.

JN: Do you have an idea of what you would like to do?

Lights: I do. I have these visions but you never know where it is going to take you until you start going in and writing it. It is good to have a vision and then it kind of drives itself.

JN: So people can go to music.iamlights.com to find out more.

Lights: Yes, I have Twitter and Facebook as well. I just got an app. It is really cool.

JN: I got to get a Lights app.

Lights: It is made by a company called Volume but the website is called volu.me/light and it will take you right to it.

JN: I will spread the word. I wish I had the power of Perez Hilton and could take you on a music tour myself.

Lights: Aww, I love that! I appreciate all of your support over the years.

Lights returns to the Windy City On June 18 visit music.iamlights.com for tickets today.

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