With shows that are a treat to your auditory and visual senses, Pretty Lights makes sure that his fans have an experience of a lifetime at his shows. His upcoming India tour with Vh1 Supersonic Arcade has been creating quite some buzz, and we had a chance to catch with the very talented Derek Vincent Smith to talk about his musical influences, his dream collaboration and much more. Read on.
TBB: This is the first time you’re touring India. What are you expecting from this tour?
Pretty Lights: This is my first visit to India and I have been dreaming about it for a long time. I do not know a lot about the music of this country but I do know some things. Being a vinyl junkie and a crate digger I have been exposed to a lot of old Ravi Shankar records and have amassed quite a collection of his work which I love to listen to on original vinyl. The current beat producer scene in Bombay and all of India is what I am most interested in learning about. And by “learning about” I mean hearing as much of the music as I can.
TBB: Your last album, A Colour Map Of The Sun, was released back in 2013. Are you working on any new stuff, for an album or an EP?
Derek: I am so excited to be working on several new projects, a new album, multiple singles and episodic/cinematic music videos. My next single will actually sound like, in large part, my experience in India… I’m working on this song while I’m here. I always want to really challenge myself with new projects and push forward…artistically, aesthetically and, now especially, in the way that I think about how people experience art & music. There are so many exciting possibilities for ways in which an independent artist can break the mold of the traditional music industry. The way in which my new projects will be presented and released will be a huge part of what makes it original and cutting edge.
TBB: Your shows are known for their immaculate visual production. What all goes behind planning and executing the entire concept?
Derek: It’s actually quite different from the norm from the electronic music scenes specifically. It’s pretty standard for artists to have visual shows that’s completely pre-programmed out to their music. From the beginning myself and my crew have made it a priority to keep an improvisational element in both music and the visuals. It has evolved to a point where we can communicate vocally where the audio affects the visuals and vice versa so it’s very integrated. We spend months planning and designing to make something that has never been done before.
TBB: What do you prefer more? A Pretty Lights DJ set or a Pretty Lights live set? Any rituals you have before taking the stage for a performance?
Derek: If I go on a tour with a live band, I will be craving a DJ set and if I’m on a tour with the DJs, I’d be craving the live production set. I don’t usually do live DJ sets, it always has some sort of live performance element to it but I think a healthy dose of both is what I need so I go back and forth. Cannot choose one. It has to be a bit of both. As for the rituals, i just like to get pumped up before a gig and go out there and give it my best.
TBB: Which artists have influenced you, from the point you started listening to music to now producing it?
Derek: Pink Floyd. Musically, melodically philosophically and beyond- Its Pink Floyd. It’s nothing like that the music I make but I see a common thread which is the purpose and soul of channelling the human ambition and emotion which I can relate to.
TBB: How did the name Pretty Lights come about? Any story behind that?
Derek: Pretty Lights is not only the alias of myself as an artist, the name represents an aesthetic based on an awareness and openness to the beauty in everything around us. It’s a funny story actually, way back I once saw a poster of the Pink Floyd performing in the city and below it was written- Pretty Lights to open for them. I then thought to myself, wow I would want to open for them and just decided then I could take up that name.
TBB: What have you heard about the Indian Dance Music scene? Any artists who have caught your attention?
Derek: Actually I went out filming this morning and heard some amazing music on the radio and I loved it- Honey Singh. I loved the beats he put in.. Cannot wait to hear more of him.
TBB: Given the chance to collaborate with any artist in the world, who would you like to collaborate with?
Derek: An artist that’s still alive? Then that would be Jay B.
TBB: What can your fans in India expect from your upcoming tour? Any special message for the fans?
Derek: I have had the chance to produce so much music in the last six years that I’ve been able to pick out the best from all my tours and experiences to put them into one playlist . Indian fans can expect only the best of music that I’ve ever played. Cause it’s really important for me to throw a great party for my Indian audiences at SPIRO and Vh1 Supersonic Arcade.
TBB: What are Top 3 #Bangin tracks at the moment?
Derek:
- Pink Floyd- Breathe
- Nirvana – Lithium
- Bonobo – The Plug
Catch Pretty Lights live at Vh1 Supersonic Arcade at i-Kandy, Delhi NCR on the 3rd April and Blue Frog, Pune on the 5th April.
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