If there’s one record label that knows how to reach an immense level of popularity in less than a year, it is undoubtedly Pretty Lights Music. The label, formed by none other than Derek Vincent Smith, a.k.a. Pretty Lights, was formed in January of 2011 and has skyrocketed throughout the twelve months of its existence.

Pretty Lights Music is home to Gramatik, Michal Menert, Paper Diamond, Paul Basic, Break Science, and SuperVision, in addition to Smith himself. The music and artists supported by PLM are no strangers to their label boss. In fact, Smith has close connections to each of the artists on his label. Each hailing from Colorado, label-mates Paul Basic, Michael Menert, SuperVision and Derek Vincent Smith have known each other since high school. Adam Deitch, one of the members of Break Science, has also doubled as Pretty Lights’ touring drummer in the past.

Smith formed PLM with a simple objective in mind—to give away free, quality music to any and every fan of electronic music. In 2010, he had made much of his own music available for free download, and to extend that approach, Smith hand-selected his six artists that have now gained towering notoriety due to the vast distribution of their music. Each of PLM’s six artists now have at least one album available for download on the label’s website. A donation option is available, similar to many of the name-your-price downloads that are becoming more customary in online platforms.

With Derek Vincent Smith now as a household name in the electronic music scene, artists around the globe are yearning to see their names appear on PLM’s sought-after roster. After merely a year under their belt, Pretty Lights Music has the potential for exponential growth and success in the future.

Gramatik & Break Science - Boogie Down

Michal Menert - Lemme Tell You Now

Paper Diamond - So Precise

Paul Basic - Doozy

Pretty Lights - Hot Like Dimes

SuperVision - Giving Me Life