.png)
/
Shining (even more) on Night Lights Music Festival
A quick Q-and-A with one of the festival's amazing performers: Tyler Smilo of Daybreak Radio
August 26, 2016 at 3:04 PM
Photo 2015 by Ryan Smith
With the 2016 Night Lights Music Festival burning bright right now in nearby, beautiful Sherman, NY, we figured it would be some good fun to take a few minutes out of the busy schedules of some of the very-awesome festival's organizers and performers for a little Q-and-A action.
First, I caught up with Scott Molloy, who, as a founder, organizer, and musician in Lazlo Hollyfeld, has been with Night Lights from the start. Then, we heard from Ethan Pieper and Sam Edwards, members of Edinboro-based jam/fusion soundscapers GNOSiS. Now, there's word from crazy-talented Erie troubador Tyler Smilo, who delivers hard-driving, heart-hitting rock with Daybreak Radio onstage Friday -- and promises to be playing the day (and night) away elsehere for the duration of the weekend.
Here's what he had to say:
Ryan Smith: Thanks again taking some time to do this with us, Tyler. First off, tell us a little bit about what you've been up to this summer.
Tyler Smilo: Daybreak has been working hard, arranging new originals and tracking our follow-up EP, "volume II." We were blessed to have played Great Blue Heron earlier this summer. We had a killer response, and played a very solid set.
RS: Now, you're a Night Lights veteran too. I'm asking everyone I'm talking with to describe some of its general vibe.
TS: The vibe at Night Lights is off the hook. It's a very friendly, fun vibe. You can feel the universal love for music in the air. I'm glad to be back.
RS: So what's the last album you played straight through? And what are you listening to now?
TS: Honestly ... the last record I listened to straight through was Nas' Illmatic. Lately, I've been re-listening to Gorillaz albums. I love them so much.
RS: What's up for you this weekend?
TS: Daybreak [played] the Cafe Stage at 2:30 Friday. We're excited to play a handful of new tunes and enjoy the rest of the weekend. I will probably be kicking out the jams at different camp sites. [At the] Heron, I played the jam fire circuit 'til the sun came out every night.
RS: Hell yes. Again, thanks for taking the time, man, and for all you do for real, good music around these parts.
This year's Night Lights Music Festival runs through Saturday, Aug. 27 at the gorgeous Great Blue Heron festival grounds, 2361 Wait Corners Road, Panama, NY.
For tickets, directions, lineups, schedules, and more info, visit nightlightsfest.com.
Ryan Smith can be reached at rsmith@eriereader.com, and you can follow him on Twitter @ryanmsmithplens.
