In August of 2013, Derek Vincent Smith, the creator of the now internationally-known Pretty Lights and label Pretty Lights Music, did something unforeseen in contemporary electronic music. The transformation from a DJ set of solely Smith, into what’s now become the Pretty Lights live band has changed the way insiders and outsiders alike view electronic music. Forget about the “guy up there on a computer” comments- for the first time in history, this is full-fledged electronic music in a jam-band setting. Comparisons can be made to acts such as the Shpongle live band, or even bands such as STS9 that have electronic elements as an integral part of their performance. However, the Pretty Lights live band is incredibly unique in that it recreates what were once purely production into a full live performance, as well incorporating new “breaks” into their act that are equivalent to your average band’s “jam”. This crossover between electronic music and traditional performance has made the Pretty Lights live band an absolute must-see for live music fans of all genres.

We attempted to highlight the current members of the band, giving insight into their backgrounds and what they bring to the Pretty Lights live table.

Beats, Bass Guitar, Moog Rogue

The mastermind behind it all- Derek Vincent Smith began Pretty Lights back in 2006, years after his hip-hop group Listen was making music. Listen was composed of Fort Collins, Colorado friends Derek Vincent Smith, Michal Menert (currently on Pretty Lights Music) and Corey Eberhard (the original PL drummer).

The manifestation of what Pretty Lights would become began with Smith and Menert. Pretty Light’s debut album, ‘Taking Up Your Precious Time’, was almost entirely co-produced by Menert. However, due to issues with Menert’s father’s health, the two were split shortly after the album’s release, and Smith had no choice but to continue on as Pretty Lights by himself. The rest is history- four albums (one of them being a double album), three EPs and countless remixes later, Pretty Lights is on top of the world.

The idea for the Pretty Lights band became an extension of the work Smith produced on his masterpiece, ‘A Color Map of the Sun’. When speaking with WRR, he explained that during album production, he realized that there was no way he could go on tour after creating such organically processed music without having a real band perform the music. Thus, we have the Pretty Lights band- a collective idea of heart, soul, and flavor.

^Perhaps the most iconic Pretty Lights song, “Finally Moving”, off his debut album ‘Taking Up Your Precious Time’.

Drumkit

If you’re familiar with EDM or even if not at all, there is a definite chance you have heard of Adam Deitch. Instead of wearing many hats, the man wears one hat in different styles- he’s the drummer of the accomplished funk band Lettuce, as well as a drummer for the PLM duo Break Science, alongside fellow PL live band member Borahm Lee. Deitch began as a drummer in New York, and was found by Pretty Lights after Derek’s previous drummer left. Thus began the long, fruitful relationship of Adam Deitch and Derek Vincent Smith.

Since then, Deitch has released two albums and three EPs as Break Science on Pretty Lights Music, and four albums as Lettuce. On top of this, Deitch is a Grammy nominated producer; he has produced for artists such as Ledisi, 50 Cent, Talib Kweli, Matisyahu, Xzibit, and more.

Fender Rhodes, Farfisa, Prophet

Borahm Lee began playing piano at the young age of four, and hasn’t stopped since. Lee has now filled roles in his musical career as a sound designer, programmer, DJ, producer, and of course, keyboardist. He grew up in New York, where he began playing classical, then jazz, and eventually was influenced by the many genres he was listening to at the time, shaping him into an extremely versatile musician. This versatility has led him to work with legends such as Kanye West, Wyclef Jean, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Wu-Tang Clan, Lauryn Hill, Matisyahu, and more.

Lee and Deitch met through mutual friends while both living in New York, and with Deitch and Smith partnering up, Break Science eventually landed a spot on Pretty Lights Music. With the two becoming close friends of Smith’s, it was only natural that they would both end up as part of the band.

Hammond B3, Clavinet, Wurlitzer

Smith came across Brian Coogan while producing part of his album “A Color Map of the Sun” in New Orleans. Coogan had been from Louisiana his whole life (grew up in Baton Rogue) and played various instruments throughout his musical career. He has worked with a vast array of artists, spanning from New Orleans gigs like Johnny Vidocavich, Khris Royal, and Mike Dillon to nationally touring acts like Maelstrom Trio, Stanton Moore’s Trio, Bobby Previte’s Coalition of the Willing and many, many more. Even more recently, he had his own soul/funk/jazz band called the Brian Coogan Band, in which Coogan played organs and sang.

Coogan currently plays the Hammond B3, Clavinet, and Wurlitzer in the Analog Future band. These instruments mimic the sounds of old pianos and organs, giving the Analog Future band much of its “retro” feel.

Trumpet, Flugel Horn

Eric “Benny” Bloom has been playing trumpet professionally since the age of 16, hailing from the small state of Rhode Island. His experience playing the trumpet for crowds is extensive; his past work includes playing for Carnival Cruise Lines, the Diane Birch Band, Shady Horns (horn section for the renowned funk/soul band Soulive), and he is now a current member of the neo-funk band Lettuce alongside fellow Analog Future member Adam Deitch.

Bloom has appeared on TV shows such as the Today Show, the David Letterman Show, Conan, and many more. Additionally, he’s worked with an absolutely stacked lineup of artists, including Dave Matthews, Chad Hugo, Derek Trucks, Taj Mahal, and more. Through connections with Deitch, Bloom was asked to be the trumpet player for the Analog Future band. His unmistakable horn-playing, alongside Scott Flynn, can be identified on nearly every live track they play.

Trombone

Scott Flynn is renowned trombone player in North America, known for his unique soul and funk flavor. He has worked for artists such as John Brown’s Body, Dubmatix, Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, and more. From Connecticut, Flynn attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. He currently is also a member of a Dub Jazz band called Elephant Wrecking Ball.

Lighting Design

A huge appeal of any Pretty Lights show is, well, the pretty lights. Though choosing the name Pretty Lights never had to do with the fact that the show would have otherworldly lighting design, thanks to the “Lazer Shark” Greg Ellis, the connection between the two is always drawn. Ellis was introduced to Smith back when he was producing for shows in Connecticut. Friend Phil Salvaggio (Production Manager/Audio Engineer) convinced Ellis to move to Colorado, where the two believed that working with Smith was an opportunity of a lifetime.

Since then, Ellis has taken the Pretty Lights live experience to unfathomable heights, constantly transforming and evolving the visual aspect of the show. From the “Pillars” set up, to the platforms they utilize today, Pretty Lights live has always been a top-notch light show. The system put in place today relies on Smith’s cues in Ableton Live. The platforms the performers stand on occasionally change border color, and are accompanied by a massive variety of stage lights. When speaking to Redbull, Smith stated,

“…we’ve definitely stepped it up and made it more beautiful and eye-popping than ever, but back then when it started, having video made you stand out. It’s come full circle and now not having video makes you stand out. I basically designed a new show with no video but using conventional lights in ways that have never been used before. It’s going to be a cool surprise but it’s very unique and new and old at the same time – sort of like my music.”

Production Manager/Audio Engineer

Phil Salvaggio was working out in Colorado when he came across Derek Vincent Smith. Salvaggio remembered thinking “give him the right tools and he’ll slay these kids.” As stated earlier, Salvaggio then recruited Ellis to come out to Colorado, and the rest is history. Salvaggio was a budding production manager at the time, but when he met Smith, he knew he was something special.

On top of this, Salvaggio has helped produce shows pretty much everywhere, from the Gorge in Washington to EDC and Electric Zoo in New York and everywhere in between.

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For this group of young, talented musicians, the sky is the limit. They have already shattered the boundaries of what’s been considered “electronic music” and will surely continue to break new ground. Keep an eye out for the Analog Future Live record, coming out soon.

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