EP007: Candace Brightman
In this retrospective episode, legendary Grateful Dead lighting designer Candace Brightman discusses her 40+ year career lighting live music and explains her design process through four decades of technological evolution. She also reflects on being a woman in a male dominated industry and the role psychedelics played in her career. Her and host Luke Stratton discuss how she accidentally started working in the music industry, and what it was like working for such icons artists including the Dead, Santana, Bette Midler, Widespread Panic, and the GD50 Fare Thee Well shows. This episode also includes a brief phone interview with GD50 promoter and Capital Theater owner Peter Shapiro, who recalls the impact Brightman’s work had on both the band and other designers… and he settles the “Santa Clara Rainbow Rumor” once and for all.]
EP005: Phish Part 1 (Chris Kuroda, Andrew Giffin)
Lighting Designer/Director Christopher Kuroda and Associate Designer and Programmer Andrew Giffin tell all in this exclusive two part episode on Phish‘s new light rig. Recorded at Front-of-House inside Madison Square Garden during the band’s historic 13 night “Baker’s Dozen” run, Chris, Gif, and Luke discuss the new truss automation system, the history of Phish light rigs over the years, working with Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande, and this season of Game of Thrones.
EP004: Michael Smalley
In this three hour marathon episode, Luke delves into the mind Michael Smalley of Twin Designs. From his storied history lighting EDM DJ/producer Bassnectar to his culturally rich experiences working with rapper Pitbull, Smalley tells all from his creative design process to the interworking of his lighting console. Topics also include a crash course in “timecoding” and the balance of ego versus art.
EP003: Paul Hoffman
Luke talks with Paul Hoffman, owner of Pulse Lighting and lighting designer/director for Widespread Panic. Paul has worked for numerous projects involving members of the Grateful Dead including The Dead, Furthur, and Fare Thee Well. Luke and Paul discuss his design process, console workflow, and working with “the grand master herself” Candace Brightman.
EP002: GREG ELLIS
In the 2nd episode of the Light Side, host Luke Stratton sits down with lighting design/production designer Greg “The Lazer Shark” Ellis of Pretty Lights. Topics include how Greg got into lighting, his transition from lighting a small local band to working for one of the largest EDM artists in the country, and the technical specifics behind his rig.
EP001: Jefferson Waful
In the premier episode of the Light Side, host Luke Stratton sits down with lighting design/director Jefferson Waful of Umphrey’s McGee. Topics include how Waful became an LD, his influences, how he lays out his console, and his experience working with Phish and Chris Kuroda last winter in Mexico.