PRETTY LIGHTS @ RED ROCKS | FRI & SAT, 8/16-8/17 Returning to the Mile High City for his now-annual two-night run at Red Rocks, Pretty Lights maestro Derek Vincent Smith is bringing an album's worth of new music and a talented cast of characters to entertain the hometown crowd. On Friday, Pretty Lights will be illuminated by hip-hop companions Talib Kweli and Blue Sky Black Death, and on Saturday, August 17, a roster of hand-picked artists form the Pretty Lights Music imprint will get their chance to shine. Smith will undoubtedly be playing cuts from his acclaimed new record, A Color Map of the Sun, in addition to digging deep into his back catalogue for a choice blend of groove-driven tracks. -- Britt Chester
See also: For A Color Map of the Sun, Pretty Lights started from scratch
PROJECT ASPECT @ ARISE MUSIC FESTIVAL | 2:30 A.M., FRI/SAT Jay Jaramillo, better known for the music he makes as Project Aspect, is a festival veteran, with appearances at Sonic Bloom and Wakarusa. Influenced by the likes of Glitch Mob, VibeSquad and Spork, Jaramillo began toying with the idea of electronic production under the name Project Aspect five years ago, after attending a Sound Tribe Sector 9 show and after-party. Since then, the producer, a co-founder of the Mile High Sound Movement, has built up a good deal of momentum in the scene for both himself and his crew, earning a spot as a go-to opener for acts like PANTyRAiD and STS9, whose 1320 Records imprint has issued three Project Aspect releases -- two original scores and one remix album -- in the past year and a half. -- Chester
See also: Project Aspect's Jay Jaramillo gives back with the Mile High Sound Movement
KAYTRANADA @ NORAD | FRI, 8/16/13 Kaytranada, whose sound leans more toward the house end of the electronic-music spectrum, is as comfortable keeping the dance floors jumping as he is creating tracks in the studio. His SoundCloud page offers up remix after remix, using samples from new artists like Robin Thicke alongside classic tunes by the likes of Janet Jackson -- and live, Kaytranada isn't afraid to throw in samples or full tracks from popular artists, inserting them into his sets with an instinct that pinpoints exactly when he needs to take the energy up. There's a cohesive thread of disco soul running through everything he does that ties it seamlessly together.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 16
Solidisco is taking over Bar Standard as part of Denver Disco, putting disco house at the forefront where it belongs with Fun Factory, Falcon Punch and MantaRay. (9 p.m., 21+, $5 before 10 p.m., $10 after)
Terravita & Metrik bring the bass along with Fury at Beta tonight, so this is where you find your bass fix. (9 p.m, 18+, $10)
You'll find Beltek and Kevin Alvez at the Church for a Global Fridays getdown. (9 p.m., 18+, $10-$20)
SATURDAY, AUGUST 17
Damian Lazarus joins Ryan Rushing, Janis and Rod Simm on the main floor at NORAD. Alan Endorfun and Nutelli warm things up on the patio in the afternoon beforehand. (6 p.m., 21+, $15-$20)
Catch Bad Boy Bill and Richard Vission at Beta -- no doubt both some old-school electronica legends will show the dancefloors what's up. (9 p.m., 18+, $20)
This round's Audio Indika guest is Brick Lee, who will join Uriah West spinning some top-notch house tunes at Funky Buddha.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 18
The best way to spend your Sunday will no doubt be with Bit Funk, option4, Need + Necessity, Keepers, Uncle Buck, Danny Marin and Todd Doughty on the rooftop at Bar Standard. (5 p.m., 21+, no cover)
Follow @Westword_Music
