Pretty Lights and a small team of determined creatives have orchestrated a online auction that resonates far beyond the confines of their dreamy dance floors.
As Western North Carolina grapples with the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the pioneering electronic artist has joined a feverish rally to offer a ray of hope through a rare collection currently under the digital hammer. It's a luminous bundle comprising over 150 coveted items, each sizzling with the pulse of their creativity and their band's ineffable connection to fans.
“Our fans really want to lift each other up and the sense of community we've built is such a beautiful thing,” says Meghan Zank, Smith's partner. EDM.com backstage before Pretty Lights' set at Austin City Limits. “That's why everyone wants to help. When we see major devastation, we think, 'What can we do?'”
Pretty Lights, whose real name is Derek Vincent Smith, echoed that sentiment. He and Zank worked with Erin Fritts, Jennifer Rodriguez and Emily Picart to run the 72-hour online auction, “Creatives For WNC Relief,” featuring contributions from across the vast Pretty Lights community. The band's cameraman, Corey Ramos, a Charlotte native, also played a pivotal role.
“We're a few hours away, so I was definitely shocked to see how many friends live there. Their city was devastated and they can't go back, and some friends are moving away,” Ramos laments. “It was so unexpected and they're just not prepared for that kind of thing. They're prepared for snow storms, not flash floods.”
“It was hard to see. So after a week of figuring out how we could help, we thought this might be the best way. A lot of people love that area through the music scene.”
Among the treasures up for grabs are more than 15 official autographed prints (rare relics no longer available to the public) along with tickets to upcoming shows and high-quality photographic prints captured by Pretty Lights photographer Brittany Teuber. Other highlights include lessons from renowned drummer Adam Deitch and Lettice guitarist Adam “Shmeeans” Smirnoff.
“Creatives For WNC Relief” even includes a guarantee for song or sample requests at Pretty Lights performances, allowing fans to participate in selecting the sound that defines their lives. But as bidders compete for these gems, they are also contributing to a broader narrative of resilience and restoration.
To that end, the silent auction says a lot about the transformative power of art in times of crisis. Zank paints a picture of a deeply passionate grassroots effort to demonstrate that electronic music can help rebuild, both spiritually and materially.
“The music that [Smith] “It speaks to the human experience and I think it's very relatable.” And he's just a true artist. So I think when something is real, it just attracts power. “Taking care of each other, it's not just about him, it's about our team and the community around us.”
“Connection is an important theme here,” adds Ramos. “I feel like any way PL has the opportunity to connect or merge the connection themselves, they will take advantage of it.”
“Creatives For WNC Relief” ends October 15 at 7 pm EST (5 pm MST, 4 pm PST). You can make offers here.
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