Living the Rock ‘n’ Roll Dream
Britt Lightning
Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp
Vixen
Britt Lightning is the Musical Director for Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp, as well as the lead guitarist for the legendary all-female Platinum selling 80's rock band Vixen.
Britt has played guitar for top 40 artists like Rachel Platten and Jason Derulo, performing live at festivals and on national TV shows such as Good Morning America, the Today Show, Live with Kelly and Michael, VH1, the Teen Choice Awards, Nickelodeon, and performed on the 2016 finale of America's Got Talent, which took place at NYC’s Radio City Music Hall. Britt performed for 22-time Grammy Award winning artist Alejandro Sanz in his stadium-level world tour. Britt is featured in Sanz’s "La Musica No Se Toca – En Vivo" CD/DVD. Britt joined Sanz at the 2013 Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas performing the single “No Me Compares”, and performed with the band at prestigious festivals, venues and international TV specials.
During COVID Britt hosted and helped produced over 150 online masterclasses for Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp with top rockstars like Roger Daltrey (The Who), Alice Cooper, Joe Elliott (Def Leppard), Robby Krieger (The Doors) and more. Now that live events are back, she is helping to plan the camps as well as working as a counselor and the musical director. This May Britt will be running the first ever Women's Only Rock Camp featuring Melissa Etheridge, Nancy Wilson (Heart), Kathy Valentine (The Go-Go's), Orianthi and more.
Britt has a vast knowledge of the music industry; on the creative side being a professional musician and songwriter, and on the business side, having earned a degree in Music Business from Northeastern University graduating Summa Cum Laude, and continuing her education at Berklee School of Music. In addition to Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp, Britt has worked in the music industry at Live Nation and Universal Music Group. Labeled the “Closer” by Lady Gaga, Britt has followed her dreams by striving to grow and evolve as a musician and person.
brittlightning.com
rockcamp.com
www.marlanasemenza.com
Audio : Ariza Music Productions
Transcription : Vision In Word
Marlana
Britt Lightning is a musical director for rock and roll fantasy camp as well as the lead guitarist for the legendary all female rock band vixen. To say her accomplishments are outstanding would be an understatement. And the list of musicians She's performed with beyond impressive. In addition to playing stadium tours, festivals, and international TV specials, she has also hosted and helped produce over 150 online master classes for rock and roll fantasy camp, as well as planning live camps and working as a counselor and the musical director. Labeled to closer by Lady Gaga, Brett has followed her dreams by striving to grow and evolve as a musician and person. Welcome, Brett. I'm really excited to have you here.
Britt
Thank you so much for having me. I'm excited to be here.
Marlana
first of all, I have to ask how why the closer.
Britt
Basically, when I did the audition for Lady Gaga, we got the callback, we auditioned in front of other people, then finally, we auditioned in front of her on this soundstage for a few days, and she didn't really want us to play any of her songs initially, she just said, do something to impress me. So, I just kind of got up there. I shredded and I played behind my head, and I was on the floor, and just, trying to be flashy and doing what I thought at the time might be impressive. And she loved it. And she just said, you're like the the closer when the baseball team needs to close the game, they throw in that one guy and then he'll just close the game up, he'll hit the homerun at the end and just sweep it. So that's what she meant by that. And I was like, Okay, I'll take it. Thank you.
Marlana
Yeah, absolutely. and here you are, you're living the dream of what many people have in your industry, you're making money, making a living and touring as a musician. So, what do you think was instrumental to helping you get to that point? Was there an incident or it was just persistence? Was it a person that you met along the way? Talk to me a little bit about that.
Britt
I think it was mostly finding my own confidence within myself and realizing that you have to get out there. And you may have insecurities. I feel like every artist has insecurities, maybe every person, but especially in the arts, it's personal, you as a photographer, artists are subjective, so people can love you, and people can hate you. And you have to be okay with that and be okay with people that they're going to criticize you for something, people aren't gonna love what you do. But you still have to put yourself out there, you can be the best living room guitar player in the world. But that's not going to really help. you get out there and really make money, although in today's world with YouTube, I mean, maybe you can, but as far as like being a touring musician, and getting out there, that's what I really had to get over, I had a fear of like a stage fright. Basically, when I started to, I was afraid of jamming, with people getting up at a jam and just, I hated improvising and things being unplanned. I'm a little tight bass. So, it was kind of like if I didn't practice something perfectly, I felt completely unprepared and unqualified to try something. But you got to get over that. So, I think that really helped me more than anything. And just also going through the plan B for a little bit, working in an office environment, getting into business. And realizing, oh, I want to kill myself, I'd rather be a poor struggling musician, then, work in the same office every day on the same four walls and feel this boxton routine lifestyle. That just wasn't for me. So also trying something and feeling uncomfortable and knowing what makes you tick really helped?
Marlana
Yeah, and I think like you touched on any type of artists, whether you're a musician or a poet, or a photographer, or a painter, every time that you create something, it's a piece of you. And so, I think it's the criticism, or the expected criticism that kind of tricks us up sometimes. Instead of just putting out what we need to put out.
Britt
Right, exactly. It's just done you because I love the line that you're the best version of you the thing that makes you unique. It's not you can do this play this guitar like that nobody else can or you can sing like this. It's you are you that's your superpower, right? So, we got to stick with it and doesn't matter if it's good, it's bad and you can't compare yourself to others. That is like death, right? Because there's always going to be somebody that you think is better than you. Of course, absolutely. I'm never gonna be Jimi Hendrix. I need to try to be him. I just got to just do what you do.
Marlana
Exactly. So, I'm interested about the stage fright portion of it and what so the very first time that you ever went on stage to play live, what did that feel like?
Britt
I was very, very, very nervous. So, I was very, I don't know, if I moved the entire time. I think it just stood there and stared on my fingers. But it was liberating because I got up and did it. Because the very first time I had the opportunity to get on stage, I felt so sick to my stomach, I ended up not doing it. And that made me feel horrible. And I realized, okay, this is pathetic. I can never do I can ever feel like this. Again, this is like, super low. I hate this. And, actually, so the very first time I did end up getting on stage, it was kind of unplanned, but I was underage. And a worker, a co worker of my, my mom's was playing in a cover band in a bar. And so, I got in underage just to see him, he invited me to come see his guitar playing and stuff. And he pulled me up on stage for a song and I did not want to get up, but he kind of forced me to. And so that was a good icebreaker, especially because it was unplanned. So, it was more like, spontaneous, and I didn't, I couldn't really overthink it.
Marlana
Yeah. So, when you get up there now, what does it feel like?
Britt
Now it feels great. I still get a little nervous. I still get, pre show jitters. But I know how to get in the right mindset. Also, meditation helped me out a lot. When I did like my first stadium show, I was freaking out. It was a first show with a new artist. I was playing for Ella 100 Signs. And it was our first gig. And it was a stadium and Mexico City. And it was live streaming on Univision. And so that's a lot of people, especially when it's streaming live. And I just remember the music director had these. We had any airs, and the curtain was up and right before right, as the counteroffer was going before the curtain came down, he said, “Well, just don't fuck up”. And then the curtain went down. And it was like, Okay, we're in this. There's no turning back now. But breathing and meditation and getting in the right mindset helps a lot, just getting focused and taking that quiet time before you step out on stage. And just kind of manifesting the way you want the gig to go. Because there's so much to do with mindset.
Marlana
Yeah. So how did you end up with fixing?
Britt
I wound up with vixen because why I moved to LA. And yeah, I was I grew up in Boston, I got sick of the cold, I ended a tour, and I was like, it's time to go there. It was always on my bucket list to say I lived in Los Angeles. And I just started getting involved with the jam scene here, which is just so cool. Because we didn't have that in Boston, any night of the week, you can go out in LA and jam and see musicians and maybe get on stage and meet people in network. So, I started doing that. And I started playing in a all-female Guns and Roses tribute band, and I was doing a show. I think it was either a show with the tribute band, and one of the jam nights kinds of both. And one night and vixens manager was there. And it wasn't really public knowledge at the time, that vixen was looking for a new guitar player, but he saw me and told the other women in the band about me. And then I was invited to audition a few weeks later. And the rest is history.
Marlana
love it. So, what are some of the things that go on behind the scenes in the music business that people don't know that maybe somebody who wants to be involved in music should Know?
Britt
Oh, there's probably a lot. Let's see, and what aspect? Are you referring to anything in particular?
Marlana
No just anything that jumps out at you because not being in the music business? I would have no idea what to ask you about it.
Britt
Yeah, I think networking is huge. And almost equally as important as your ability to play if we're talking about players in the business is your personality because you want to get you want to like your band. And if you're gonna live together on a bus or tour together for months at a time you want to get along and the more, I've been in it, the more I've turned down gigs because I don't think I'm going to, I don't love the people involved or something like life is too short. You want to enjoy yourself. So, at this point, it's kind of like yeah, You gotta love who you work with. Because you want to enjoy yourself and make it fun. And one thing I know is every time I see photos from Ibbetson show, we're always laughing, and I never remember what we're laughing at. But some pictures it looks like I'm just completely cracking up and it's like, nothing is that funny, but I was having a really good time and that's genuine and I think translates to the audience do and they can tell and people, people have a good time. If they're seeing somebody having a good time, if somebody looks serious and nervous, they're gonna, if you're watching them, you're gonna kind of feel like, ooh, yikes, I hope they're okay. Or just, that enjoy it as much. So that's a big thing. Let's see something else. I think just networking. Yeah, being a good person. Because word of mouth is the main reason that I've gotten most of my gigs.
Marlana
I think people underestimate networking in a multitude of industries.
Brittt
Yeah. And it's so important.
Marlana
It is really. What about the music business? In general, anything that surprised you about it?
Britt
I mean, I think this might be common knowledge, but you have to have a thick skin. I mean, you have to meet a lot of opposition, you have to audition and get turned down. You have to, just keep pounding the pavement, you have to, people say take every opportunity. And that's true, like, for the most part, if you're trying to break in and take every opportunity, even if it's not the right amount of money, or even if it's not the kind of music you'd like, but you meet people, you expand that that circle that you have, and word gets out. So, I think that's important.
Marlana
Yeah. What has been one of your best memories so far?
Britt
Oh, I'm lucky I have a lot of great memories. Definitely, with Vixen, playing overseas playing this big rock festivals like Sweden, rock and Graspop. Definitely, with Alejandro playing those big stadiums, I think one of my best memories is actually playing Costa Rica without 100 signs. My parents had never been to Costa Rica. So, they were like, We're gonna come out and see you in Costa Rica. And they've always been very supportive of my musical career. But not always got knit or like the music, rock stuff, I don't know, supportive, but kind of like, When is she gonna grow out of this phase, I think. And then I remember getting off stage and meeting my parents backstage, after the Costa Rica show, and my dad just had tears in his eyes. And he said, even though, this was in Spanish, and I didn't even understand the lyrics. Like, that was so beautiful. And just the energy here and all the people in the vibe. He's like, You really did it. I did this. I said, I had chills the whole concert like this is you really did it. So that made me feel good. So, I'll always remember that moment as like, oh, they finally recognize that, like I can make a living doing this, or this can be a real thing. It's not just a phase.
Marlana
Out of all the people that you've worked with, have you ever been starstruck? With any of them?
Britt
Yes! I mean, definitely, I think I'm always a little star struck in a way that like, I'm just like, Is this real life? Like, am I really, growing up having posters of you on my walls or something like that. But now, I'm playing a gig with you. And we're having coffee backstage like this is? Yeah. So, I think in that sense, I always, like, feel that I have to pinch myself moments, a little less than starstruck. I think I just tried to remember that everybody's a regular person. I mean, so I keep that in mind. And that helps. But we just did a rock camp down in Florida with Joe Perry. That was pretty awesome. I mean, when you see somebody so iconic like that, I mean, that makes you go like, wow. so yeah, that was a moment.
Marlana
And, here's the interesting thing about that, to me, is that, you get to feel that in all of the things that you've described up to now about going on stage for the first time or whatnot, you get to relive through other people to every single camp, because they get it. Tell everybody a little bit about what rock and roll fantasy camp is for the people that don't know.
Britt
Yeah, so it's basically a four-day experience. People from all over the world get together. We had somebody from Finland, somebody from Australia at the last camp. People come from all over all different ages, men and women, all different skill levels. Some people have been in bands before some people have never played outside of their bedrooms. And they get together they join a band of people they've never met with and in these four days, they're mentored by a rockstar counselor like me, and we help them be in a band and grow and play live shows they do to live performances at public venues where they can invite their friends and family to come and when we do the camps in LA the final performances at the Whisky a Go legendary venue and then they get to jam with their musical heroes and their theme. So, this upcoming camp that we have, for example is a women's camp we have Melissa Etheridge, we have Nancy Wilson apart Kathy Valentine of the Coco's Oriente. So those headline artists, they get to jam with them I'm, in addition to playing the to live shows. And so, if you see a tremendous amount of growth and appreciation, and people just really passionate and invigorated to play music, because most of these people aren't musicians, for their job, they don't get to do it professionally. And that's something that I don't think I take for granted, but you can. And so, it's always like a great reminder to see somebody just so excited to just jam and to just rock out. And it's like, oh, yeah, that reminds me of when I kind of first started and that enthusiasm, and it's always uplifting, and just the transformation that some people go through. I remember I went to these last camps, there was a guy who was a little shy, then I see him on stage, he has a cape on, he's got all dressed up, and he's just giving it his all-stage moves. And it was awesome to see.
Marlana
So, tell me more about stuff like that would have been some of your favorite experiences at camp with either the campers or the other musicians.
Britt
one of my favorite experiences was, I did a camp, and my band was a little bit more of a beginner band that I took on. And, we rehearsed, we worked really hard. And we created this medley. And we're going to perform that at the Whisky. And so, when we got to the medley, everything was cool, the pace was a little bit it started off faster, we were supposed to start quite a few BPM slower. And so, we started with the drummer was a little nervous. And so, we were just like, in it going like a freight train. And the rest of the band members are looking at me like what do we do? And I'm like, Well, we just keep going, keep going. And I'm doing all these charades like trying to bring down the tempo but, but it went so wasn't. It didn't to me feel like we did it in rehearsal. Exactly. Which, that happens things change it live. It was still good. But I had this idea in my head for some reason that they were going to be a little disappointed because, it wasn't the way we had rehearsed it. Exactly. So, we're collecting our stuff getting off stage. And I'm thinking in my head, what am I going to say to these guys, so they feel really good about it? Because it was so good. I just know, they might be like, Oh, it wasn't like we wanted it to be. And so, I'm thinking of what to say. And it's right when I'm about to say something, they're just like, oh, high five oh my god, best day of my life. I can die happy now like bucketlist complete, like nobody. And that's me being like a, professional like, perfectionist like this is you know how I critique my gigs, which is totally not what Rock Camp is about at all. So that was a moment for me like, oh, yeah, why would I Why did I even have that thought like that was that was not even about that, these people had the best time of their lives. They played on stage, they rocked out and it doesn't need to be perfect.
Marlana
Yeah, it does that when you see people back at the base of it all and
Britt
yeah, absolutely. It like puts you back in check. It's like, oh, yeah, don't be so serious. Don't be so critical. It's Only Rock and Roll.
Marlana
Yeah. Is there anybody that you have not had a chance to play with yet that you would love to?
Britt
Joe Walsh he's one of my favorites. Joe Walsh. I love the Eagles. I'd like to say Don Henley, but he'd probably be just too scary. Joe all seems more fun. Who else? I mean, Santana is amazing. Trying to think of people that are alive that David Gilmore, I keep telling David to get David Gilmore for a rock camp. I don't think he's going to do it, though.
Marlana
yeah. That's a good one. So, when you are putting together a rock camp? What are some of the first steps for you? Is it getting securing the professional musicians?
Britt
Yeah, securing the main headliners like, Oh, who is going to attract who do people want to jam with? Who haven't we had with some fresh ideas. So, like, right now we're planning a camp for October, which I'm not gonna give it away. But we're like, what's a cool concept that would intrigue people that maybe is fresh, and we haven't done or some new talent that we haven't had? So that's kind of where it starts. And then we think, Oh, well, where does that talent level there in New York? Maybe we should do in New York camp. We haven't done in New York camp yet this year. And then just like, yeah, thinking about the counselors and thinking about, who fits in that style. And then, a lot of moving parts and you got to think about catering. You got to think about transportation. Most of all, you got to think about rehearsal spaces, because that's usually the hardest thing to find. How many rehearsal spaces are we going to need? And is it a good environment to hold a camp out for four days? And then securing the live venues and yeah, all that stuff, a lot of logistics.
Marlana
So how did you wind up in this position with rock and roll fantasy camp? Were you I guess to their first or I was?
Britt
Yeah, I was a counselor first and in 2019 I did my first camp. And then I think some people had just given good feedback to David, saying that Britt's a great new counselor. And, not only does she do music, but she has a degree in music business. And so, then David and I had lunch and discuss some things afterwards and decided that, yeah, let's start planning camps together. And maybe I can help with some ideas. So, we started working together, and then planning all these camps. And then of course, COVID hit. So, we transitioned, and we were able to do online master classes. So, we did over 150, online master classes, during COVID, which was amazing with big stars, like Roger Daltrey, and Alice Cooper and stuff like that. And that kind of kept things going in the interim. And then, now we've got these live camps back. And since January, we've done five camps. And this women's camp coming up in a couple of weeks, it will be our sixth, and then we're going to take the summer off, just because most people are on tour. So, it's hard to get a lot of artists and fixings going on tour anyway. So that's how that works out and then kick things off again in the fall. So.
Marlana
So, where have you not been with fixing that you would like to go?
Britt
I've never been to Italy, and I'm Italian. So, I need to if for some reason, I've had festivals and dates there. And they've always gotten canceled with multiple artists. I don't know why I've never been to Italy. So that's on my list. Also, Japan.
Marlana
Nice! and you touched on your degree in music business. Do you think that having a degree, or at least knowing the business side of things helps in music business?
Britt
Definitely! You want to know what you're talking about? And I think sometimes if people think you don't know what you're talking about, they'll take advantage of you. Yeah,
Marlana
yeah, I know, even with photography, people think, Oh, I'm just gonna buy a camera, I'm gonna hang a shingle out, and I'm just going to create life is going to be wonderful. But there's a business side of it. And I know, with photography, it's maybe 15 to 20%. Creative. And the rest is you have to know, business and marketing and all those kinds of things. What would you say the percentage is with music?
Britt
Probably the same. I mean, if you want to do music as a career, that's your business. So, you have to know that that's your business. Right? you have to survive. So, I think the more skills the more that's only going to help you. I think it's very important. And especially like, I don't know, a lot of people don't use contracts, but to know how to read a contract, what you're signing, doing, albums and TV spots, and things like that. You want to just know what's going on, you don't want to get screwed just because you were uninformed.
Marlana
Yeah, because you hear a lot in the music business, on these TV shows where they get the history of the band and whatnot, that, Oh, yes, the promoter or the record company, or whoever was making a gazillion dollars, and we had like six cents to our name. And so, I would think that knowing what you're walking into, or at least educating yourself as much as possible would be a big help.
Britt
Definitely. And then how things are split, even if you're writing co-writing how that works, how to get royalties, how to make money, that's important. Because, yeah, you can, pursue your passion all day long. But if you can't make any money, you're not going to be enjoying it as much, that's for sure.
Marlana
So, if somebody doesn't necessarily want to get a degree in music, business, but they want to pursue music as a career, is there any advice that you would give them to at least do this, you educate yourself?
Britt
I would say, don't put all your eggs in one basket. And I'm not saying don't pursue music, but I'm saying, always have multiple sources of income. I think that's important. And I think most people realize that during the pandemic, I mean, we couldn't do live performances. So, I was so grateful to have other skills. And it doesn't mean you're not a musician. It just means you're well rounded. And it's funny because a lot of people when I did those master classes, a lot of artists said, I am successful, because I didn't have a plan B. And I get that, but I also think it's always good to support yourself and to have a fallback, because the world is crazy, why we could have another pandemic, it's always good to have other skills and to be flexible. You have to be flexible in the music business because it's up and down, and you're always hustling, and nothing is for certain.
Marlana
So, what do you do to always make sure that you keep growing as a musician and as a person?
Britt
I always take challenges. If somebody asked me to do something and I'm not comfortable with it, I go out of my comfort zone and I just go for it. I'm always trying to learn new hobbies and do new things like, I started painting and people have been buying my paintings recently. And that was kind of like outside of my comfort zone, like, can I sell my paintings? Are they good enough? I don't know, really, just doing different things, reading. I'd say I, do a lot of, watching the news and things of the better, but just reading autobiographies, anything learning from other people's experience and talking to people as much as possible. And, if you do meet somebody in the industry, like go and have lunch with them and pick their brain, people like to share their knowledge, people like to, share their experiences, and you can learn so much from other people's mistakes. So, it's a good way to avoid making them yourself learning about that first.
Marlana
Absolutely. So, any advice that you would give to somebody who is a younger version of you was trying to get into the music business? What would you say?
Britt
Yeah, I would say go for it. Don't let anybody tell you can't. I had a lot of people tell me I can't, my parents doubted it a lot, too, even though they were supportive. But I just knew what I wanted. And if you know what makes you happy, you have to do that. Because it doesn't matter what your friends think what your parents things with your significant other things. Anybody, you have to answer yourself at the end of the day, and only you can make yourself happy. you can't look to somebody else or something to make you happy. You have to be satisfied with you and what you've done and what you do every day. And yeah, so if playing music makes you happy, it doesn't matter what anybody thinks, what opposition you face, any challenges or obstacles make you stronger. So, and you miss 100% of the chances you don't take. So really just go for it. And then just trust your gut.
Marlana
What was the biggest obstacle you faced?
Britt
Probably, not having a gig. You know when you just are like, Oh, what am I doing? Like a tour ended? And I have nothing going on? And how am I going to get the next thing? Or if you feel like the phone's not ringing and you're not finding anything? And what do I do now? And, do Yeah, I think that's that is the constant thing. And you just have to keep a positive mindset. Stay positive, don't get down, don't get depressed, don't hang the guitar up on the wall and say, Well, I just must not be good enough. I'm, and give it up. But be creative. think of creative. You got to think outside the box.
Marlana
Yeah, that just reminded me there's a quote that says, “if it's important, you'll find a way. If not, you'll find an excuse”. And I think what you just said was a perfect example of that. Because even though you didn't necessarily have anything, it still didn't stop you from getting that thing.
Britt
Right. And I like that quote. That's a good one. I haven't heard that one.
Marlana
So, with that said, I just have four final questions for you. First one is what is the best piece of advice you were ever given?
Britt
I think just sort of touched on it before but just be unapologetically you.
Marlana
Share with us one thing on your bucket list.
Britt
I would like to take a flight in a p 51. Mustang and old war plane. I would really like that.
Marlana
Do you fly?
Britt
I don't, I want to get my pilot's license. I haven't had the time. I guess that's an excuse.
Marlana
But I only have two legitimate excuses.
Britt
I love old warbirds I love old war World War Two planes and stuff. And I like to go to air museums and stuff when I'm on the road and check out different planes dorky side. But yeah, I would love to take a flight and a Mustang.
Marlana
So, when the toy companies finally get around to making an action figure of you, what two accessories will it come with
Britt
a guitar and maybe lightning bolts.
Marlana
And last one Britt. How do people find you? And also, if they're interested in Rock Camp? How do they find that?
Britt
Okay, brittlightning.com, vixenofficial.com at Britt Lightning on social media. Rock Camp is rockcamp.com. And on social media, it's at Rock Fantasy Camp. And yeah, sign up for the newsletter on rockcamp.com. And you'll be updated on all the latest camps and new things happening. And relating.com We'll have all the tour dates where you can see me on the road.
Marlana
Love it. And I look forward to seeing you at the next camp.
Britt
I'm really looking forward to it. Thank you so much.