Lights | |
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Lights performs in London, Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen on the 15th March 2016.
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Background information | |
Birth name | Valerie Anne Poxleitner |
Born |
Timmins, Ontario, Canada |
April 11, 1987
Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
Genres | |
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Instruments |
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Years active | 2006–present |
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Associated acts | |
Website | music |
Valerie Anne Poxleitner (born April 11, 1987), better known by her legal name Lights, is a Canadian musician, singer, and songwriter. Some of her notable singles include "Drive My Soul", "February Air", "Ice", "Second Go", "Toes", and "Up We Go". Lights tours extensively to support her recordings. In 2009, she was awarded the Juno Award for New Artist of the Year.
Starting in early 2008, Lights toured cities in the Great Lakes region, in both Canada and the United States. In late 2008, she toured the United States. In August 2008, Lights signed a record deal with Toronto-based label Underground Operations. She also signed an American partnership deal with Warner Bros. along with Doghouse Records. She toured from January–May 2010 with contemporary synthpop artist Owl City in Canada, the United States, and Europe.
Lights won Indie Awards in the Favourite Solo Artist and Astral Media Radio Favourite Single categories during Canadian Music Week in March 2009 in Toronto. She won the Best New Artist Awards in the Hot AC and CHR categories. All awards were for her debut single "Drive My Soul," except the award for Favourite Solo Artist. In November 2010, her debut album The Listening was given a gold certification by the Canadian Recording Industry Association for sales of 40,000 units.
Lights was born Valerie Anne Poxleitner in Timmins, Ontario. As the daughter of missionary parents, Welsh mother, Virginia Poxleitner and Canadian father of German and Austrian descent, Eric Poxleitner, she spent her childhood in many parts of the world, including the Philippines, Jamaica, Ontario, and British Columbia. She moved to Toronto at the age of 18 when she legally changed her name to Lights. She got the nickname "Lights" from her last name Poxleitner. As there was already a signed band named "Lights", having her name officially changed was a way to use it in light of prior copyright.