Jason Noon Talks About the Lights Out Project

By  //  July 6, 2014

FEATURED IN BREVARD LIVE MAGAZINE

ABOVE VIDEO: The Lights Out Project perfoms at Captain Hiram’s In Sebastian, Florida. Produced by Mario Justin for AccessBrevard.com and hosted by Jessica Foix.

A bunch of years ago, I used to play at the Chart House here in Melbourne. There were a couple of waiters there who were also musicians.

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JASON NOON: Growing up my grampa Terry played fiddle and my grama Sally played squeezebox by themselves at home. My first instrument was joining the drum core in maybe third grade at Sabal Elementary. I still remember the drum solo.

One of them came up to me one time and asked me to show him a cool guitar lick. I showed him the harmonic minor scale. The following week, he came back and told me that was now his favorite scale.

That’s how I met Jason Noon.

Over the years, it’s been amazing to watch his musical growth, from Indicasol to his current band, the Lights Out Project.

The past few months, I’ve had the pleasure of playing with them. I found Jason to be an excellent songwriter/musician and as always a good energy and good friend. He still plays the harmonic minor scale.

How and when did you get into music?

Jason: Growing up my grampa Terry played fiddle and my grama Sally played squeezebox by themselves at home. My first instrument was joining the drum core in maybe third grade at Sabal Elementary. I still remember the drum solo.

Growing up my grampa Terry played fiddle and my grama Sally played squeezebox by themselves at home. My first instrument was joining the drum core in maybe third grade at Sabal Elementary. I still remember the drum solo. At Johnson Jr. High I always took chorus and band (mostly because all the pretty girls did). In band class I started on sax, then bugle, then tuba. Looking back I think it helped with giving me a broad perspective of different tones and how low end counterbalances with high end.

At Johnson Jr. High I always took chorus and band (mostly because all the pretty girls did). In band class I started on sax, then bugle, then tuba. Looking back I think it helped with giving me a broad perspective of different tones and how low end counterbalances with high end.

Who were your major influences?

Jason: My favorite musical artist is and will always be Bob Dylan. My favorite music is Sade. My favorite band is The Strokes. And my favorite reggae singers are Majek Fashek, Sizzla Kalonji, and Aima Moses.

What was your first band experience like?

Jason: My first band was Indicasol with the amazing vocalist Bradley Camp. I played bass and helped co-write some of the songs and music and we still collaborate to this day. In 2007 I wanted to lead sing for my own band so I started Lights Out Project and moved to Hawaii.

Where did you come up with the name of your current band “The Lights Out Project”?

Jason: When I was playing bass and helping manage Indicasol I secretly longed to be a lead singer and perform my own songs. So I started practicing in my back room with a few guys under the radar. So I called it the Lights Out Project.

There are very diverse personnel in the band. How did that come about, and tell me a little about each person.

The Lights Out Project began performing in 2007 on the barrier islands of Florida and shortly after relocated to the north shore of Oahu. LOP returned to Florida in 2010 and has been on tour between Florida, Hawaii and Colombia. The band is currently recording their Debut Studio Album at Studio 101 with producer Brenden Paredes. (AcessBrevard.com image)
The Lights Out Project began performing in 2007 on the barrier islands of Florida and shortly after relocated to the north shore of Oahu. LOP returned to Florida in 2010 and has been on tour between Florida, Hawaii and Colombia. The band is currently recording their Debut Studio Album at Studio 101 with producer Brenden Paredes. (AcessBrevard.com image)

Jason: The Lights Out Project is more of a musical collective than a band. There are over 40 musicians that I play with on a semi-regular basis over the past 5 years. I have a team in Hawaii and also here in Florida.

JASON NOON: The Lights Out Project is more of a musical collective than a band. There are over 40 musicians that I play with on a semi-regular basis over the past 5 years. I have a team in Hawaii and also here in Florida. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)
JASON NOON: The Lights Out Project is more of a musical collective than a band. There are over 40 musicians that I play with on a semi-regular basis over the past 5 years. I have a team in Hawaii and also here in Florida. (Image for SpaceCoastDaily.com)

Ask many of the most talented musicians in town and they have probably done a show or two with LOP. That being said, the band has formed a core 5 members over the past few years that have taken the music from an average bar band to a grand stage show performance.

The spiritual leader of the band is the incredibly talented saxophonist Ras Trent Spears who has toured with The Wailers, Pato Banton, all The Marleys, Majek Fashek, The I-Tals and just about every famous reggae band and performer. On drums and backup vocals we have Melbourne’s finest Alex Petrosky from the Berkeley school of music.

Ask many of the most talented musicians in town and they have probably done a show or two with LOP. That being said, the band has formed a core 5 members over the past few years that have taken the music from an average bar band to a grand stage show performance.

Alex’s commitment to the music has been the central figure in developing our live show and sound. On bass guitar straight from Jamaica we have reggae legend Denzil ‘DJ’ Simpson. DJ has the deepest dub reggae pocket imaginable and has played bass for virtually every famous reggae singer to come out of Jamaica.

And on pocket trumpet and lead guitar we have the local legend Chuck Van Riper. Chuck’s amazing trumpet skills, guitar solos and vocal harmonies add an amazing flavor and uniqueness to each and every song.

(Thanks, man.) And I play ukulele, electric guitar and write most of the lyrics and chord progressions.

What are you goals for this band?

Jason: This summer we are releasing the first of three live concerts recorded by Andrew Walker from The Zone Studios which sound amazing.

JAMAIKIN-ME-CRAZY-388-1This winter we are releasing our first ever 4 song big studio EP which we recorded with producer Brendon Paredes at Studio 101.

And in July I return to Hawaii to film our first ever official music video for our single called “Lovers Rock.” And then we will be returning to Colombia for our 3rd tour there with producer Brian Pinero at Club Islamorada.

In the meantime you can catch a live performance of Lights Out Project the first Sunday of every month at Captain Hiram’s 2 – 6  p.m., and every other month at Jamaikin Me Crazy at Mambos (for our day shows).

And Monkey Bar and Off The Traxx for our night shows. I also host The Reggae Remix open mic at Off The Traxx every Wednesday from 9 – 2 a.m.

Look for big things to come in 2014 and beyond from your local banditos The Lights Out Project; peace, love and Aloha!

BREVARD LIVE MAGAZINE has been the Space Coast's premier entertainment magazine for over 15 years and enjoys a dedicated readership. The subjects inlcude Music, Festivals, Movies, Arts, Dining along with the most comprehensive music and arts-calendar. Brevard Live is distributed on the first of each month in over 300 locations all over the county.
BREVARD LIVE MAGAZINE has been the Space Coast’s premier entertainment magazine for over 15 years and enjoys a dedicated readership. The subjects inlcude Music, Festivals, Movies, Arts, Dining along with the most comprehensive music and arts-calendar. Brevard Live is distributed on the first of each month in over 300 locations all over the county.