The Bright Light Social Hour

The Bright Light Social Hour
The Bright Light Social Hour performing at Sloss Music & Arts Fest 2016 in Birmingham, Alabama
Background information
Origin	Austin, Texas, United States
Genres	Psychedelic rock, art rock, experimental rock, neo-psychedelia, electronic rock, dance-punk
Years active	September 2004 (September 2004)–present
Labels	Frenchkiss Records, MapleMusic Recordings (Canada)
Associated acts	Shreddward & Mirasole
Website	thebrightlightsocialhour.com
Members	Jack O'Brien Curtis Roush Edward Braillif Joseph Mirasole
Past members	Ryan O'Donoghue Thomas Choate A.J. Vincent

The Bright Light Social Hour is an American psychedelic rock band from Austin, Texas. The band is composed of Jack O'Brien on bass guitar and vocals, Curtis Roush on guitar and vocals, Edward Braillif on synthesizers and guitar, and Joseph Mirasole on drums.

In September 2004, Southwestern University students Curtis Roush (guitar), Thomas Choate (drums) and Jack O’Brien (vocals/keyboards), along with Ryan “Badcock” O’Donoghue (bass) began playing together as a post-hardcore art rock collective. They were often billed with area hardcore bands such as 25 Dollar Massacre, Thumbscrew and At All Cost and quickly grew a reputation for their visceral live shows. The band took a year hiatus while Roush studied audio engineering and O’Brien studied linguistics and Flamenco guitar in Madrid, during which time Choate moved away to study eco building.

In October 2006, upon O’Brien’s return, the band brought in Joseph Mirasole, a drummer from a local high school drum line, via Craigslist. During this period the band recorded their first studio EP, Touches. Soon after, the band relocated to Austin where O’Brien and Roush enrolled in Master’s programs at the University of Texas. They parted ways amicably with Badcock, with Jack taking over bass duties and Roush helping with vocals.

In 2008 they released the EP Love Like Montopolis, which showcased a more delicate, downtempo post-rock sound, and brought on local singer-songwriter A.J. Vincent on keys and vocals.

The band continued to grow their reputation with consistent high energy shows in southern states, their sound evolving to include elements of soul, southern rock and psychedelia. The band released their debut full-length album in late 2010, entitled The Bright Light Social Hour. The album was recorded in Austin during summer 2010 with producer Danny Reisch.