Claire Twiddy and Blue Light Studios are more than you bargained for

(Joey Boule)

“Diane, remind me to figure out what kind of bushes these are. The leaves are clustering in the strangest way. Little groups of three, like they’re conspiring. It’s oddly symmetrical and entirely out of place in this environment. I swear they’re thriving just to spite the rest of the landscape. Botany mysteries aside, I’ll need you to hold me accountable on this one.” I record into my handheld mic, testing my bare bones recording set up, readying myself for tonight. That’s a Twin Peaks reference, by the way. I’m hilarious.

Now, Blue Light Studios, entrance through the alley, because, of course, it is. From the front, the building looks like a nondescript row of offices that have all been closed for the day. No real signage, just an address and a vague vibe that says “you’re not supposed to be here.” There’s a small handwritten note taped to something vaguely structural, confirming that yes, this is the place, and yes, you do in fact enter through the alley. It feels like a secret only the in-crowd is supposed to know.

You step in, and suddenly you’re in a space that’s…well, not quite indoors but not quite outdoors either. The ceiling is all tarps, somehow both temporary and eternal. There’s a fire pit right in the middle, like it’s been there since the dawn of cool, and an open-air bar across the way manned by a younger guy who looks equal parts overwhelmed and determined as he serves up a curated selection of canned drinks.

The crowd? Effortlessly eclectic. Everyone looks like they know someone in the band, or are in a band themselves. Cooler than me. I feel like I got in by accident, like I charmed my way past an invisible velvet rope I didn’t realize was there. I probably shouldn’t be here. But also, I totally should. The energy is buzzing, charged, and entirely infectious.

The band starts up an R&B cover of a Fall Out Boy song. “Am I more than you bargained for yet…” echoes through the space, and Claire is at the mic, being so much more than anyone bargained for in the best possible way. Yes, Claire. You are. And I am fully, completely here for it.

“Also, everyone, please record this horizontally,” says Todd. He needs to send it to his production guy so he can turn this into an epic fever dream of a video.

https://www.claretwiddy.com/

https://bluelightstudio.ca/blue-light-sessions/