Pretty Lights’ Derek Vincent Smith Opens Up In Rare 2.5-Hour Interview

Pretty Lights co-founder Derek Vincent Smith sat for a rare, nearly 2.5-hour interview with longtime JamBase contributor B. Getz for the 100th episode of The Upful LIFE Podcast.

The wide-ranging conversation serves as the first installment of A Pod Thru Life Fantastic, a planned multi-part retrospective series featuring Smith. The producer discusses Pretty Lights’ rapid rise, the pressures that accompanied his success, his years away from the spotlight and the path that ultimately led to his return.

Smith also speaks candidly about his struggles with substance use and experience with medication-assisted treatment, as well as meeting his wife Uma, becoming a father and rebuilding his creative life. Another focus is his reunion with Pretty Lights co-founder Michal Menert, his longtime friend and collaborator.

On the musical side, Smith digs into the “Swirl Science” behind Pretty Lights’ current live approach and the development of the Swirl Bridge audio-visual setup. Other topics include connecting with Rick Rubin and working at Shangri-La, Smith’s longstanding strategy of distributing music outside traditional channels, the recently launched PL-OS platform and his embrace of a new generation of electronic producers influenced by Pretty Lights.

Getz’s connection to Smith dates back to the early days of Pretty Lights. One of JamBase’s earliest contributors, Getz profiled Smith in 2009 for an extensive Pretty Lights feature. Smith discussed his sampling techniques, decision to distribute his music for free, burgeoning live show and sudden ascent at the time.

The new interview arrives during another eventful period for Pretty Lights. Smith surprise-released the first 15 tracks from the 45-track A Trip Thru Time Fantastic in July. The material represents Pretty Lights’ first new studio album since 2013’s Grammy-nominated A Color Map Of The Sun. Smith had previously returned to touring in 2023 following a five-year absence from the stage.

Listen to Smith’s conversation with Getz via Apple Podcasts and Spotify below: