Interview Sweet Lights: ‘This Was All Meant To Be’

To say musical polymath Shai Halperin has been on a journey would be quite the understatement. Former member of the The Capitol Years and The War on Drugs, he’s going it alone with Sweet Lights.

A soft focused, genre-blending project with just a hint of pop, Sweet Lights looks set for great things. Shai chats to DIY about going it alone and his time with cult hero Daniel Johnston.

You’ve had many chapters in your musical life including The Capitol Years and The War on Drugs. How would you describe the chapter of Sweet Lights?
I started making music alone and Sweet Lights is a natural return to that. One thing I’ve never been terribly fond of, however, was performing alone, and in that way SL is the scariest chapter of all. I’m happy to report, though, that this was all meant to be and I’ve discovered my old self in the solo show (with band shows to follow). Before Capitol Years there was the experimental sound collage thing I was up to, and that’s slowly been encroaching on the pop music. I find that a rather exciting prospect.

What was your inspiration behind your debut album?
It began as quite a random stab at recording a song at home, an old song but with a new rhythm track. By the end of that afternoon I think I knew I had something, something worth pursuing, which turned into a full album. Initially, there was no pure inspiration beyond trying to capture songs I wouldn’t be embarrassed by, but the album turned into something bigger. I’ve always had a nostalgic streak, and this touches on that while also serving as a time capsule for when I tracked it. Some of it borrows from true life, some of it is total nonsense, and all of it came from that kid on the cover.


Take us through your song writing process.
Sometimes I’ll dial up some old song ideas from the past, which I’ve recorded snippets of. Other times, a tune will pop in your head. These are often the ones worth pursuing.

How did you find the transition from band mates to playing all the instruments yourself?
The first two Capitol Years album were also in one-man-band mode, as was my four-tracking prior to that as a kid. It wasn’t too foreign to me, but I guess I made more of a concerted effort to tighten things up. I had a lot of time to kill with these tracks so I suppose I laboured over them much more than I would have with ‘the guys’.


We love your D.I.Y. approach to recording in your house. Do you find you prefer this to packed-out studios?
Not really. I like the combination of starting in a studio and then going home to tweak to my heart’s content (a.k.a. insanity).


You’ve recently collaborated with Daniel Johnston. Who else would you like to work with in the future?
Anyone who will have me.

The 90s are back in a big way and some say you fit into that category. Do you find this a hindrance or an advantage?
The dream of the 90’s is alive in my band? First time I’ve heard that! But, it’s funny you should bring that up as you could technically say that one song (I won’t say which) on the album was actually started in the 90’s. No joke. So…I guess I have the rare good fortune to be so behind the curve that I’m actually ahead of it.

You’re playing End of the Road this year. What’s been your favourite festival moment?
The only other festival I’ve been to was Glastonbury with the Capitol Years. My favourite moment was drinking tequila with Rob Ellis on the car ride home, or watching band mates Dave and Jeff dance together in the ‘soul dance party’ tent.


Who are you listening to at the moment?
Ted Lucas, Smokey and his Sister, Nightlands, The High Strung, OFF!, Beach House, Howard Stern.

And finally, what does Sweet Lights have planned for the rest of 2012?
Sweet Lights - Sweet Lights II.

Sweet Lights’ self-titled album will be released on 28th May via Highline Records.