Preview: Planned Parenthood Benefit Featuring Bright At Night
By Marlena Scott
Athens’ Planned Parenthood branch is hosting a benefit at Jackie O’s Thursday featuring Athens locals Bright at Night.
Emerson B, the man responsible for vocals and guitar in the band, was brought into playing the event by event coordinator Josh Brown.
“He knows we support pro-choice and protected sex in this wacky world,” he said. “I personally believe that every community should have a Planned Parenthood accessible.”
Brothers Seeder Whaley and Emerson will have just returned from a trip to Outer Banks, North Carolina to play the show. As ocean fanatics and avid surfers, they try to take at least one surf trip to the Outer Banks each summer with friends, but they couldn’t resist the current swell this October.
“Even though the air is a bit crisper than the summer breeze, we throw our wetsuits on and paddle out,” he said. “It’s a necessity for life.”
Travel does not appear to intimidate the guys for they are planning a tour after their new album is recorded. They hope to hit popular East Coast cities like New York and Washington DC. This will be their first album, recorded at 3 Elliot Studios here in Athens. The band is recording during the first week of November.
Emerson actively pursues adrenaline and keeps himself moving. His interests are endless.
“I enjoy food, art, photography, building structures, setting off fireworks and making funny videos. In reality I'm interested in almost everything,” he said. “If I wasn't, I'd feel like I was missing out.”
The inspiration for Bright at Night’s music is also drawn from various sources. The members are differing in personality and interests, but according to Emerson they come together as one in the band.
“Events in our daily lives can be enough to spark a song, but the overall excitement we get from creating hip-shaking, phonic-lovemaking melodies, is what really keeps us moving,” he said.
An amount of camaraderie is in place with drummer Jesse Catania and lead guitarist Zack Catania also being brothers. The guys spent a meaningful chunk of time together on the west side of Athens as children.
“I think that common ground has given us an unspoken, maybe even subconscious inspiration.”
The band is delighted and enthusiastic to be playing a show with great meaning to them and supporting its community.
