LIGHTS Valerie Anne Poxleitner-Bokan

"It's not about trying to change the world, it's about trying not to be changed by it." Formerly known as Valerie, LIGHTS (yes, it is capitalized) has remained loyal to her statement above regarding staying true to yourself. LIGHTS was born on April 11, 1987 in Timmins, Ontario, Canada. Her parents were missionaries, taking the family to countries like Jamaica and the Philippines. Because of this travel, LIGHTS and her sister were homeschooled until high school. Throughout her life, she learned how to play instruments from her father and had been involved in different genres, started producing at 13, and even started her own comic book series. LIGHTS Valerie Anne Poxleitner-Bokan is innovative, morally strong in both her personal and professional life, and multi-talented making her a hero.

Without a day of proper music theory to her name, LIGHTS singlehandedly recreated the music world with her innovative use of self-programmed synthesizers and unique lyrics. She discusses what the transformation was like going from the freshman full length-The Listening-- of no expectations to her sophomore full length-Siberia-- calling it "anti-electro, dream-step or perhaps even grit-pop" (Bokan). LIGHTS programs her own instruments and writes every last bit of her music. Her music changed from her polished and perfected pop to "left of center" pop. No one else has dared to step in the daring direction of marrying pop with dubstep and fusing beautiful faith based lyrics. At the age of 11, she wrote her first song consistent of lyrics from the fifth psalm in the Bible: "'it's prewritten and no one can claim copyrights on you,'", LIGHTS says ("Lights"). Because of her innovation, she has won Juno Award, best new artist, Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, 2009, for LIGHTS; Independent Music Award, favorite solo artist and favorite radio single, Canadian Music Week, 2009, for "Drive My Soul" ("Lights") and has personally affected people all around the world, including myself.

LIGHTS is morally strong in both her personal and professional life. She finds strength in comic book characters and video games, specifically Wonder Woman and World of Warcraft, and gets them tattooed as a representation of herself: "'Wonder Woman is kind of my role model. She's beautiful and she's pure, and she fights with immense strength but integrity. She fights with justice and honor, and she's not doing anything in a slimy or destructive way, and she's doing it with grace and out of respect for everyone. And she's an ambassador for Themyscira and a real symbol of a powerful woman. I think it's fantastic. And she can kick ass and still look great doing it, so I feel like she's a great symbol for us.'", on the topic of her Wonder Woman back portrait ("LIGHTS' Tattoos). She continues to say, "Everything I have on me makes me feel like I can do anything" ("LIGHTS' Tattoos). LIGHTS has remained involved in charities like the 30 Hour Famine, Skate4Cancer, World Vision Canada, and her Inuvik Food Bank benefit concert, sometimes involving overseas work. In her professional life, LIGHTS decided to embark on her journey to the top by writing her own songs to express herself: "'A lot of those songs came from a sad but hopeful place. I was alone and pondering a lot. I'm a lot more aware of the person I am now and each of these songs is about an experience I've gone through,' she says. 'This record came from a very happy place.'" (Bokan). The mere fact that she expresses herself with such eloquence and positivity with strong symbolism is lyrically beautiful. Not a single person in the music industry dares to venture where LIGHTS has gone, and that's mainly in part to her strong morals, making her a hero.

LIGHTS is multi-talented. She plays multiple instruments ranging from the cello, guitars, synths, and piano. You name it, she can probably play it. She never had a single day of music theory or private lessons to assist in this; she has an ear for musical talent that no one can compare to. LIGHTS has released two acoustic albums consisting of acoustic renditions of her songs. On these albums, she plays all her own instruments, which varies from the piano, to acoustic guitar, to the cello. She also has a comic book series, Captain Lights. She draws all the artwork and concept drawing herself (Schaeffer). LIGHTS is literate in multiple instruments and also draws, making her a hero for those who wish to go that route.

LIGHTS is inspiring in ways that no one else can ever come to being. She is so musically gifted and writes songs that relate to everyone in their darkest and brightest times. She represents someone who is strong and independent and can stay true to herself until the very end. LIGHTS is my hero because she makes me want to become a better person; someone who is successful but humble and represents the voice of strength.