Lightning Love

Lightning Love formed as an indie pop trio in Ypsilanti, Michigan, when drummer and songwriter Aaron Diehl joined forces with guitarist and vocalist Ben Collins during the final months of 2006. Their goal was to expand upon a collection of solo home recordings that Diehl’s sister, Leah Diehl, had created with only piano and vocals. Those recordings supplied the group’s foundation, placing Leah’s wispy twee-inflected vocals atop spare, minimal pop arrangements whose lyrics dealt in self-deprecation and anxiety. After establishing themselves with local performances and building a sizable audience, the band issued its first album, November Birthday, in 2008. Continued songwriting and near-constant touring followed. In 2011 the group placed among six semifinalists in a Billboard-sponsored battle-of-the-bands contest staged in Las Vegas; although popular vote selected Lightning Love to represent the Midwest, the ultimate prize went to fellow unsigned indie band Gentlemen Hall. Activity resumed shortly afterward, yielding the Girls Who Look Like Me EP in January 2012 and the full-length Blonde Album that August.