(Artists similar to Pretty Lights: Paper Diamond, Michael Menert, SuperVision)
Pretty Lights – Finally Moving
Pretty Lights – Only Yesterday
Pretty Lights – The Time Has Come
Pretty Lights describes the genre of his music as ‘ElectroHiphopSoul’ and that term couldn’t be any more valid. The soulful essence of Pretty Light’s tunes consist of abstract hip-hop beats that fuse electro qualities with vintage vocal samples, potent hooks and bold synthesizer patterns. The output of Pretty Light’s music features digital sampling that crosses different genres together, forming a brilliant combination of electronic roots with funk, soul and hip-hop influences.
Derek Smith, better known as Pretty Lights, is an electronic music artist and producer from Colorado. Growing up, Smith was involved in a few different music groups ranging from punk to funk. While attending highschool in Colorado, Smith created and produced hip-hop music but always had an interest in electronic based music. He used music production software for a few years until he felt that his music was mastered enough to finally put a project together. Timeless music (music that has the ability to stand the test of time) such as Pink Floyd, The Beatles and Led Zeppelin were all very influential in Smith’s process of creating his own style of music. Smith references the name ‘Pretty Lights’ from a 1966 New Years concert poster with Pink Floyd and The Who that read “Come and watch the pretty lights!” Derek Smith explained in a Spinner.com interview,
“Throughout your life there are moments that inspire you as an artist — and creative people sort of have this eye for the world where they’re always looking for things that are beautiful, cool or inspirational. It’s the little things throughout your day that can turn into a big inspiration creatively.” -Pretty Lights
Unlike most artists, Pretty Lights has ALL of his albums and EPs available for free downloads on his website with the option to donate. Smith has been remarkably productive in creating music for his growing fan base. He has released several albums and EPs across the span of a few years, including the full-length albums: ‘Taking Up Your Precious Time’ (2006), ‘Filling Up the City Skies’ (two fully stuffed CDs worth of material, 2008), ‘Passing by Behind Your Eyes’ (2009), and three EPs: ‘Making Up a Changing Mind’ (2010 EP), ‘Spilling Over Every Side’ (2010 EP), ‘Glowing In the Darkest Night’ (2010 EP).
The album, ‘Filling Up The City Skies’ was downloaded over 30,000 times from the Pretty Lights website in the first 3 months of release, proving that the Pretty Lights sound is not only getting around, it’s spreading like a virus. Smith recently released two albums on his newly formed record label, Pretty Lights Music. The record label offers free downloads for any of Pretty Lights’ albums plus Michal Menert, Paper Diamond and Break Science, all currently on Pretty Lights Music. Gramatik is the latest addition to the Pretty Lights Music record label with his first album, ‘Beatz & Pieces Vol. 1’ (2011), available for download as well.
Pretty Lights puts on a real show when he is performing at concerts and spends thousands of dollars on his LED light shows alone. Pretty Lights has been touring across the United States while taking over music festivals. As a result, he has picked up an exponentially growing fan base in which most of his shows are sold out weeks before the day of the concert.
Below is a new video (released 2 weeks ago) by Pretty Lights for his newest song ‘We Must Go On’.
Resources:
Pretty Lights Interview by Spinner.com
I think you have a great concept to write about here. Reviewing music is something a lot of people are interested in, and you can cater to several tastes. Here you have exposed me to something that I was not familiar with – which makes me want to read and learn more.
I appreciate the background information on the artists, it helps to get a better grip on their idea. I would like to hear more about what you think, your opinion on their works.
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Pretty Lights is legit. Thanks for introducing me to this chill sound. The music video you posted is awesome, and I love the song.
I hope Pretty Lights tours a lot because I would be down to see the spectacle live around the bay area sometime. His sound is so chill I bet his shows consist of people just groovin out in space.
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@Taylor C & Karl – Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I really appreciate the kind words and feedback! 🙂
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Good one.
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Ty! 😀
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Thanks for suppoorting thedankz Organic Sound! Seems like we have pretty similar tastes. Did you happen to go to Snowglobe for the New Year?
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