It’s often stated, among the jam band scene anyway, that the lighting director is a de facto member of the band. Although not on stage, he or she brings the visual aspect of the show to life. Phish’s Kuroda, Saxton of Billy Strings, The Disco Biscuits’ Alex, “Herm,” Schneider. These are just a few of the “unsung” behind the scenes crew making the night just as memorable for fans as the band basking on the lighted stage.

David Quinn, Lighting Director for Dark Star Orchestra, wouldn’t necessarily come right out and consider himself a band member. That comes as no surprise to me though after having the chance to sit down with him before the show at Kemba Live! In Columbus to chat about his career.

David’s humble, and grateful for how he got to where he is. “My uncle owned an AHL team up in Maine when I was a kid,” he tells me. “I was fascinated with the spotlights flashing along with the loud music at the games.” And although Quinn was an athlete through school, playing soccer and lacrosse, he was equally as intrigued by the AV kid running the equipment in the auditorium.

It wasn’t until his 20’s though that Quinn cut his teeth on true lighting design work. “I was hanging out with some of the LD’s at All Good (the festival) and I asked Saxton (Waller) if he’d teach me how program.” Quinn took what he had learned from Saxton and got a house gig in Colorado where he continued to work on just about anything that came to that stage. “I continued to improve my skills and learned most of my programming from Andy Kass,” adds Quinn. “Andy continues to be my 911 on any issue I may have.”

Things changed in July of 2018, however. “I connected with a couple of the guys on the Dark Star crew at the venue I was working at in Colorado, and they asked if I wanted to come work with them.” And a few shows later, he was touring with the band and continues to do so today.

Traveling together on tour mostly by bus, Dark Star Orchestra amasses an astounding 75-90 shows a year hitting theaters, amphitheaters, and festivals from East to West. “We’re all on the bus together,” says Quinn. “Twelve bunks, stacked three high. Yeah it’s close, but so are we,” he says. “We even vacation together,” he says with a smile.

I asked David about his style and whether he creates any special lighting for the shows, especially those where he band creates entire Grateful Dead concerts from past dates. “I have programmed groups of colors, everything is generally in a specific color palate for particular songs. Like, Terrapin is the same palate every time, but I improvise the light cues depending upon the jam in the piece.”

When it comes to improve, Quinn tells me that roughly 85% of the lighting is improv with the other 15% specifically planned. “I generally ‘punt’, (his term for freestyling’), during the shows. I watch Jeff and Rob to see when they’re coming out of a jam for cues. Jeff has three nods that he does and Rob usually turns to the drummers and Jeff to make eye contact. That’s when know to go from an improve lighting sequence to a subtle fade.”

Quinn’s most memorable, standout night without hesitation? “The Greek show in 2024. Everything just hit, the design was great. And maybe Red Rocks would be my second most memorable because of the location.”

I inquired as to advice or suggestions David has for anyone wanting to get into lighting design. What skills are important to develop? “Don’t go to school,” he says. “Get a job at a venue and tell the LD you want to learn lights. Be ready to work fourteen hour days on show days. And be humble. Be nice to everyone at the venue and with the crews for the bands because you never know who might create an opportunity.”

Don’t miss Dark Star Orchestra on tour this spring and summer, and if you get a chance, say hello to David in the booth.

What are your favorite Dark Star memories? Who would you like to see us feature next? Let us know in the comments below.

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