Rising Stars: Meet Britt Lightning of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Britt Lightning.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I decided I wanted to be a rockstar when I was 15. It was the summer before high school. I was running errands with my mom and Eruption by Eddie Van Halen came over the speakers in a store and it floored me. I had no idea what it was but it captivated me completely. My mom didn’t know who it was so I asked people in the store until someone knew. After that I convinced my mom to take me to Newbury Comics and I bought Van Halen I and 1984 and wore those albums out. Soon after I got a guitar and started practicing as much as I could.

I went to a Catholic high school which at the time had no music or art programs. But with the help of a teacher Mr. Russo, who would leave his classroom open after school for some kids to jam on some practice amps, I met other guitar-driven classmates and was motivated to prove the all-male room of shredders that I could be just as good. I became Guitar Club President two years later and we started a jam in the school cafeteria once a month, which was my first gig.

I went on my first DIY tour when I was 17. This came about while I was testing out amps at a local guitar store and the store manager/singer of the band overheard me playing. My parents weren’t thrilled but they supported my dreams.

When I told my non-musician parents I wanted to go to Berklee School of Music, they wanted me to have a backup plan instead. We found a common denominator and I chose to study Music Business at Northeastern University while simultaneously playing in my all-female hard rock band Jaded a few nights a week. I recruited my younger sister to play bass in this band, and then playing weekly rock shows became a family affair with my mom selling our merch and father driving us and helping with the gear. While attending college I also worked part time at the Daddy’sJunky Music store across the street from Berklee, where I met many musicians with whom I’d exchange discounted guitar strings for class notes. I interned at Live Nation and realized I preferred being on stage rather than in the office.

Since then I have performed in many iconic venues with an incredible array of artists and performed on many national television shows.

In 2015 I moved from Boston to Hollywood after finishing a three year world tour with multi-Grammy winning Alejandro Sanz. I took a job at Universal Music Group in the legal department where I learned a lot, but couldn’t ignore the call of the road. Soon after I joined the all-female platinum selling rock band Vixen. I also began a career working as Musical Director for the Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp, which has been an extremely fulfilling and life changing experience.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No road ever worth going down is smooth. In the entertainment business you have to have a thick skin. You have to accept rejection and the struggle and just try to enjoy the journey knowing that you are pursing what you love no matter what the end results are. People will tell you that you’re crazy, that you’re not good enough and that you will fail. If you are a woman in this ever-changing but still male dominated industry, you will encounter sexism. You will battle with your own issues of self-worth and self-doubt. You will have times when you barely make any money at all. You will give up a lot to be able pursue this lifestyle that you can’t quit if you want to truly be happy with yourself.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I absolutely love being involved in Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp. The Rock Camp was founded by David Fishof in 1996 and allows musicians to connect with and jam with their musical heroes. The camps are four day events that happen a few times a year, mainly in LA, NY, FL. Rock Camp changes lives, and to be a part of such an incredible experience is a gift. You not only come out of camp as a better musician, but you grow and gain confidence in other ways as well and make friends for life. Rock Camp has certainly changed my life, and seeing people transform in only four days is a beautiful thing. This is why artists like Roger Daltrey (The Who), Alice Cooper, Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains), Nancy Wilson (Heart) and many more keep coming back. I encourage any person at any skill level or age to check out rockcamp.com. You can also watch a documentary film about it free on Amazon Prime.

I proud to be able say that I am a professional guitar player. To me this term means that you have continued to pursue music throughout your life and can make a living doing it, in any capacity.
I always wanted to be a touring musician. I always had dreams of being on the road and waking up in a different city each day. I am continuously enchanted by travel, meeting new people and exploring other cultures and perspectives. I am equally fascinated by the exchange of energy between artists and the observers during performances.

I am most proud of not giving up. I believe I have found happiness within myself. I have no regrets. I seize as many opportunities as I can and feel as though I live my life to the fullest. I am surrounded by inspiring and talented people that motivate me daily to work hard and play hard.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
One of my favorite quotes is by Neale Donald Walsch, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” I actually have that magnet on my fridge. Without pushing your own limits one can become stagnant and complacent and you stop growing and learning. I don’t encourage reckless behavior, but I think taking risks is a very healthy way to live. Another quote I like is “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” I love taking jobs that challenge me and place me outside of my comfort zone. I just learned a bunch of country songs for a gig, which is not something I usually specialize in. I have taken risks on jobs, on love, on myself- and I am stronger from it all.

Contact Info:

• Website: brittlightning.com, rockcamp.com
• Instagram: @brittlightning, @rockfantasycamp
• Facebook: Britt Lightning, Rock Fantasy Camp
• Youtube: @rockfantasycamp

Image Credits
Joe Schaeffer Photography
Jack Lue Photography
Nick Giumenti
Matthew Allen