Derek Smith of Pretty Lights pushes all the right buttons

Less than a year ago an interesting new duo called Pretty Lights casually walked onto a fairly obscure electronic music scene with the confidence and creative conviction of a band with much more experience.

At the helm of the beats was Derek Vincent Smith, a young, intelligent Colorado-based producer with remarkably thought-provoking ideas and songs, who was looking for something more primal in electronica. Something that sounded like real feelings rather than robotic rhythms. Something that evolved and changed with every show rather than just pre-programmed emotion. To help him with the task, he enlisted drummer Cory Eberhard to perform alongside him in hopes of creating a more organic and crowd pleasing live experience.

The vision proved to be as eye opening for Smith as it was for electronic fans everywhere and Pretty Lights became one of the fastest rising electronic groups ever not to mention one of the most notable. Since their formation, Smith and Eberhard have shared the stage with such acts as STS9 and Widespread Panic, and performed at the famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre west of Denver earlier this year.

Preview caught up with Smith to talk a little bit about Pretty Lights' new album "Filling Up the City Skies," getting his start and why he gives his albums away for free.

Q: How did you get introduced to music?

A: "Well My mom forced me into a religious, private school in 7th grade, which pushed me to be a very upset young teenager. I then rebelled and eventually found a connection in punk and grunge, then later hip-hop and electronica. It was a foolish adolescent dream at first, even selfish. I just wanted to be the guy on stage, or on the radio, so all the people that wouldn't sit with me at lunch could see that I really was something special." Lucky for me, that urge was enough to get me to buy a bass guitar. And that was the catalyst that sent me on a journey through musical styles and bands until I discovered the music that I wanted to make. After that point, all it took was not giving up.

Q: Is there any significance to the name "Pretty Lights?"

A: To me, that name represented a lot more than its literal definition. It represents the experiences that we all have in our lives, mostly unexpected and random, when we come across something beautiful, or inspirational, or even disturbing. Something that makes us think, or reflect, or imagine.

From the way a red traffic light reflects off the rain drops dripping down a wind shield, or the way sunshine peeks through mini blinds and slices the smoke in half as you exhale, or the way the city skyline looks when I take my contacts out. Those are all beautiful experiences of the mundane. They are brief moments in time that, when caught from the right angle, can spark a feeling or change a mood and serve as a microcosm, at least in my mind, for why art is worth creating and even more, why life is worth living.

Q: Your style is vastly different from what you hear on the radio. How did you get into making the music you are making now? Was there a specific point where you realized this is the sound you were going for?

A: There was no specific point. The sound and style that I am going for has been developing and evolving since the first time I produced a piece of music and it continues to evolve with every new track. That is one thing that really excites me about music, the continual evolution of creativity in individuals and in the collective of all artists.

Q: The sound of your newest album is pretty broad. We hear soul, electro, a little rock, hip-hop and more. What, or who, are your influences stylistically speaking?

A: Influences, I would say are pretty broad. I appreciate electronic artists who push the envelope of sound design and production techniques. I appreciate any artist that can make me really feel something the first time I hear their music. I've been influenced by certain lyricists in the sense that their styles have shaped my taste when searching for and choosing vocal phrases and samples to use in my production.

Q: With the state of the music industry today, what made you decide to give away your albums for free? Do you see them as just a promotional piece while you make your living on the road?

A: My intention was to get as many people to hear, and hopefully enjoy, my music as possible. I had no idea that it would actually create a means for me to make a living off of my music through touring. I continue to give my albums away for free because I want to make an impact on the transformation of the music industry and hopefully discover a new model for lasting success and longevity as an independent musician.

If you go

Who: Pretty Lights Halloween Party with Half Color and Midnight Ace.

When: 8 p.m. Saturday. All ages.

Where: The Music Farm, 32 Ann St., downtown.

Cost: $25 at www.etix.com, all Cat's Music and Monster Music locations. $25 the day of the show.

Hear the Music: www.prettylightsmusic.com.

Info: 577-6989, www.musicfarm.com.