The last time New Times caught up with Pretty Lights, AKA Derek Vincent Smith, he was preparing for his Magic City debut at the Vagabond. Since then, the versatile electro producer has acquired a new drummer, killed Ultra 10's live stage, and released a couple of albums that are downloadable to the public, free of charge. Because of all this, DVS's head has grown a few sizes, so he has upgraded to larger striped hoodies.
The Fort Collins native has spent the past three years circulating the festival and college scenes, first selling out local clubs. Now he has graduated to greater heights, including the Fillmore Miami Beach. On the eve of Ultra 13, Pretty Lights will take the stage at Miami's beloved theater turned live music hall. The stunning landmark will transform into a packed nightclub with sweaty, antsy idolaters all vying for a glimpse of Pretty Lights.
This time around, DVS has ditched former drummer Cory Eberhard for the legendary Adam Deitch, known for his chops as a funk and livetronica beatmaker in ensembles such as the Royal Family's Lettuce and electro fusion outfit Break Science (now part of Pretty Lights Music).
Together, the pair will deliver a feast of beats and machine-like tempos that'll warp minds. It's an all-sensory experience, composed of multifaceted melodies, disciplined drumming, and mesmerizing prism flashes. No doubt this trippy show will force a heavy release of neurotransmitters, transporting the mind and soul into an electro interstellar euphoria.
From his library of vinyl to his high-tech sound machine, Smith mashes together unlikely genres (think jazz versus dubstep, rap versus house), marrying the tastes and tempos. This sound manipulation produces earfuls of ecstasy that knows no bounds.
Aside from world sample domination, DVS spends his days building Pretty Lights Music, his record label. And in addition to Break Science, the producer prodigy opened his musical home to Michal Menert, whose East-meets-West sound dips into a global era of tuneage. Along with Menert, Pretty Lights Music introduces Paper Diamond, the newly coined moniker of popular producer/bassist Alex B (Pnuma Trio), who embarks on a newborn journey through space and bass.
The Fillmore Miami Beach is about to get musically molested like never before. The Pretty Lights Music Showcase on Thursday, March 24, has been hyped up as much as Ultra itself. Grab those 3-D goggles and hop onboard. This is, hands down, the preparty rager of the year.
