Fusing '70s AM radio hooks with acid rock expanses, Lights featured vocalist/guitarist Sophia Knapp, drummer/vocalist Linnea Vedder, and bassist Alana Amram. The project began in 2004, when Knapp met Vedder in an art supply store and the two began writing songs together and performing at parties. They teamed up with first bassist Andy MacLeod (formerly of White Magic) and, with Espers' Greg Weeks, recorded their self-titled debut, released in 2008. Soon after, the band issued its follow-up, Rites, in 2009. Late the following year, however, the group changed its moniker to Cliffie Swan to avoid confusion with the Canadian pop artist known as Lights. ~ Heather Phares