Derek Vincent Smith didn’t exactly anticipate things happening quite the way they have, but he’s not complaining.

“I didn’t expect it to get this serious this quick … New Year’s Eve 2008, I was doing a bowling alley show with like 80 people in there. This year, I’m selling out clubs all over the country.”

Using the stage name Pretty Lights, Smith’s brand of organic electronica has been touring America’s dance floors at an alarming rate, which includes a gig tonight at the Georgia Theatre.

In the past year alone, his double disc album “Filling Up The City Skies” has been downloaded over 40,000 times.

The album, by the way, is completely free and available for download on the Pretty Lights MySpace page. Contrary to popular opinion, the decision to release his album for free has been the main catalyst behind his swift ascent to popularity.

Word of mouth about his music even landed Smith a gig playing a Sundance Film Festival party hosted by Outkast’s Big Boi.

“I thought if I gave it out for free, then it would end up being in a lot more people’s stereos,” said Smith. “It’s had a lot of positive side effects.”

Unlike most electronic artists whose music is defined by its production techniques, Smith’s music works just as well in a live setting.

“In my music, I try to push the fusion between the organic and the electronic, the soulful and the exciting. But it’s a dance party, and I’d like for the audience to experience all those things,” said Smith.

“I want them to experience something that’s new, something they haven’t heard before.”

If nothing else, audiences always come away with just that – something different.

“It’s got hip-hop and electronica influences, but it has a jam band feel,” said junior Taylor Vance.

“Not quite sure what to call it – hip-hop jam-tronica – but whatever it is, I love it and want him to keep making more.”

Pretty Lights’ music toes the line between dance and trance, yet it always carries the infectious momentum needed to fuel his soulful dance party.

“Pretty Lights isn’t just a sound – it’s a scenario. It’s layers of situational sound encased in walls of moving music. You’re not just listening – you’re experiencing,” said junior Zach Maudo.