The Bright Light Social Hour is an American psychedelic rock band from Austin, Texas. The band is composed of Jackie O'Brien on bass and vocals, Curtis Roush on guitar and vocals, Zac Catanzaro on drums, Mia Carruthers on keys and vocals, and Juan Alfredo Ríos on percussion.

In September 2004, Southwestern University students Curtis Roush (guitar), Thomas Choate (drums) and Jackie O’Brien (vocals/keyboards), along with Ryan “Badcock” O’Donoghue (bass) began playing together as a post-hardcore art rock collective. They were often billed with area hardcore bands such as 25 Dollar Massacre, Thumbscrew and At All Cost and quickly grew a reputation for their visceral live shows. The band took a year hiatus while Roush studied audio engineering and O’Brien studied linguistics and Flamenco guitar in Madrid, during which time Choate moved away to study eco building.

In October 2006, upon O’Brien's return, the band brought in Joseph Mirasole, a drummer from a local high school drum line, via Craigslist. During this period the band recorded their first studio EP, Touches. Soon after, the band relocated to Austin where O’Brien and Roush enrolled in Master's programs at the University of Texas. They parted ways amicably with Badcock, with Jackie taking over bass duties and Roush helping with vocals.

In 2008 they released the EP Love Like Montopolis, which showcased a more delicate, downtempo post-rock sound, and brought on local singer-songwriter A.J. Vincent on keys and vocals.

The band continued to grow their reputation with consistent high energy shows in southern states, their sound evolving to include elements of soul, southern rock and psychedelia. The band released their debut full-length album in late 2010, entitled The Bright Light Social Hour. The album was recorded in Austin during summer 2010 with producer Danny Reisch.

Momentum built for the band under the leadership of new manager Alex O'Brien, and in March 2011 they swept the 29th Annual Austin Music Awards during SXSW, with an unprecedented 6 awards, including Band of the Year, Album of the Year and Song of the Year (for their song "Detroit"). Subsequently, The Bright Light Social Hour began a relentless touring schedule, playing hundreds of shows across the United States, Canada and Mexico including opening for Aerosmith and appearances at Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Hangout, Sasquatch!, Wakarusa and Ottawa Bluesfest.

In January 2013, citing growing personal and creative differences, Vincent was replaced by keyboardist/guitarist Edward "Shreddward" Braillif, whom Mirasole had known DJing in Austin.

On June 25, 2013 Mirasole, Roush and O'Brien were in attendance at Senator Wendy Davis' famous filibuster of Texas Senate Bill 5. Inspired by the ferocity of the crowd gathered in the Capitol, they rushed to their studio and by the morning had released the song "Wendy Davis," with an accompanying video made in part with protest footage taken on the band's phones. The video was featured in MSNBC's national coverage of the event.