Lightwatch was a band born in the making. Actually, born into the
making.
Frontman, Trey Nichols, literally learned to walk in the hallowed
halls of the studios that make Muscle Shoals, "Muscle Shoals." His dad
is a grammy-winning artist and producer. His stepdad, a multiplatinum
songwriter. Trey's homework was always done surrounded by music. Or it
WAS music. He's spent a lifetime creating and honing a craft that
picked him. After fronting several local bands as a teenager and
receiving his B.A. in Entertainment Business from the University of
North Alabama (out of love for his mother), Lightwatch was ready to
happen.
Drummer Dylan Johnson grew up in Birmingham, AL. While skateboarding
was a competitive passion, music was his life. While most kids are
dreaming of what they're gonna do with their life, Dylan was already
doing it. By age 13 he was already playing professionally in blues
bands from Beale Street to Chicago. After moving to Florida, heavier
bands like Rage Against The Machine echoed at his skating events.
Echoed through his bones. Eventually, at the prompting of a friend,
Dylan headed to the Shoals on a mission. He found it when he met Trey
Nichols.
Lead guitarist Emmett Redding was a childhood friend and classmate of
Trey's. The two bonded over music in junior high. Emmett spent every
free minute studying guitar, like the answers to the test questions
were fatal. His classes in music ranged from metal to blues. From
bluegrass all the way to Western swing. And he graduated with honors
from all of it.
One of the amazing local bands in the Shoals music scene that Trey and
Emmett idolized was West Means Home. It was going to see this band
perform and wearing out their record in high school that introduced
them to bassist Antonio Martelli, another Shoals original. The boys
were devastated when that band broke up but it worked out in the end.
Because when it came time to galvanize the line-up for Lightwatch, the
guys secured not just a bass player, but an influence.
A chance meeting with award-winning producer Dan Hannon (Manchester
Orchestra, Aaron Shust) at Ivy Manor Studios began shedding the light
on their future. "Into the Evers" was the debut album they found.
Their sophomore effort is coming into focus now...