Catching Up With Lightfoils

Late 2018 release, early 2019 tour, but there’s so much more to do.

By Deborah Sexton

If you live in Chicago, you are already aware it has a well-known shoegaze/dream pop scene, with such mainstays as Airiel, New Canyons, Astrobrite, Whimsical, Panda Riot, Star Tropics, Sleepwalk, and Bliss.City East to name only a few. Among the leading lights of the Chicago scene is Lightfoils.

Formed in 2010, this five-piece released their first record, a four-song EP, in July 2012, after signing with Saint Marie Records. Landing on the SMR imprint was a seal of approval many emerging bands could not earn. Their latest release, “Chambers,” arrived in November 2018, ensured the continuation of their popularity, and a place in the history of some of shoegaze’s most beloved releases. Coming about after a hiatus of more than four years, it was a welcome return to shoegaze notoriety.

“Chambers” was met with universally positive response, from the sales of vinyl and digital versions on Bandcamp, to mentions in many of the music industry’s leading publications, including Pop Matters, Austin Town Hall, Imperfect Fifth, Albumism, The Big Takeover and more. It also landed with minor controversy: with five songs, is it an album or an EP? Even DKFM DJs seem to disagree on the point. What no one disagreed on, however, was that “Chambers” represented a brilliant evolution for a band that grows in impact with every new release.

In support of “Chambers”, the band kicked off a tour in their hometown on March 18, and arrived in Austin just in time to play an after show on Monday, March 25, following DKFM’s DreamGaze ATX II festival March 22-23, 2019 at Cheer Up Charlie’s. This was where I had the honor of sitting down with the band and talking to them about the status of the band, and upcoming plans.

First and most important question: new music. More to come? The good news is they are talking about possibly releasing singles vs. trying to put out an entire new album. That can take years of work, due to all the members working full time, and bassist Cory Osborne recently the new father of twins.

“A variety of bands have been invited to do some remixes, including Vet Trip, New Canyons, and Bloody Knives of Austin. We’ve got some Texas love on this one,” says Osborne. “We’re excited about it.”
Musical influences and personal favorites range widely among band members, with Osborne noting that as a manager of a bar, he’s been exposed to music by the bar’s DJ who has been spinning a lot of “old, cool disco.” He also loves Blushing and Grivo, two Austin acts. And he says, “My guilty pleasure has been The Midnight (synthwave).”

Guitarist Zeeshan Abbasi has been listening to Ringo Deathstarr and New Canyons.

Lead singer Jane Zabeth has been listening to Program, Toronto, Ontario. She also loves Airiel, a local band for her, and a now defunct Chicago band called Disappears. She notes that original members have reformed as FACS, which she describes as drony noise rock.

Guitarist Neil Yodnane has been listening to Basement Revolver. He says the lead singer reminds him of Molly Rankin of Alvvays. Other Chicago locals he loves are Panda Riot and post-punk darlings Ganser .

Drummer John Rungger had a handy playlist that he shared from. It included Eurythmics, Black Marble, The Kinks, Juan McClean, Broadcast,  Blouse, Deafcult, The Radio Dept. and Coaltar Of The Deepers

Asked what the band would like to say to their fans, “Go to shows!” was the near-unanimous response.
“Thanks for everyone helping us on social media. We monitor that. and it really makes us feel good when people are talking about us online. Please come to a show and introduce yourself.”

You can check out Lightfoils’ Facebook page for upcoming shows. Their next scheduled live performance is Friday, Aug. 30: New Canyons / Blushing / Lightfoils / Astrobrite at the Burlington Bar, 3425 W. Fullerton. Ave, Chicago.

The Aug. 30 show is the day before Kalamashoegazer 13, the revered annual shoegaze festival in Kalamazoo, Michigan (tickets), giving fans an extra reason to show up in the nation’s heartland for two days of shoegaze love and music.

Lightfoils Cast:
Zeeshan Abbasi- guitar
Jane Zabeth – vocals
Cory Osborne- bass
John Rungger- drums
Neil Yodnane- guitar

Bandcamp: https://lightfoils.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lightfoils/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lightfoils
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lightfoils/

Discography
Self Titled Four Song EP, released Feb. 2012
saintmarierecords.bandcamp.com/album/lightfoils

Hierarchy
10 song album, released July 2014
saintmarierecords.bandcamp.com/album/hierarchy

Alternative Facts: A Shoegaze Resistance Compilation by DKFM, released March 2017
This fund-raising compilation was put together with Cory Osborne, in partnership with Greg Wilson of DKFM Radio, with all proceeds going to Planned Parenthood and the ACLU. 
https://dkfmshoegaze.bandcamp.com/

Summer Nights
Single (radio edit), released October 2018
https://lightfoils.bandcamp.com/track/summer-nights-radio-edit

Chambers
Five song EP, self released November 2018
https://lightfoils.bandcamp.com/album/chambers

Watch Lightfoils play “Summer Nights” on Monday, March 25 at Cheer Up Charlie’s in Austin here. This sparkling track is from the band’s latest EP entitled “Chambers.” And keep your ears peeled for new music!