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Smith and Pledger was a UK trance production and DJ alias for Oliver Smith and Mark Pledger. Active from 2003 to 2006. Most of their releases were issued on Above and Beyond’s label Anjunabeats and they enjoyed support from the cream of the DJ fraternity.Smith and Pledger are currently both active as solo producers. 
(Anjunabeats 2004)
Early Years: 2003 to 2006
Smith and Pledger started producing together in 2000 after meeting at university and their first joint release came in 2003 on Above and Beyond’s Anjunabeats label: ‘In Too Deep’ (AnjunaDigital 2003). The big sweeping lead lines and pulsating bass and drums of ‘In Too Deep’ set the tone for Smith and Pledger’s subsequent releases.
The two tracks which really brought Smith and Pledger widespread recognition though, were ‘Day One’ (Anjunabeats 2003) – co produced with former Gatecrasher resident DJ Matt Hardwick – and ‘Forever’ (Anjunabeats 2004). The pumping melodic trance of ‘Day One’ picked up where ‘In Too Deep’ had left off while ‘Forever’ was mainstream vocal trance.
Smith and Pledger rapidly gained the support of the big name DJs, including Paul Oakenfold, Markus Schulz, Ferry Corsten, Armin Van Buuren and of course their label bosses Above and Beyond. The duo became in demand both as DJs – appearing regularly at clubs such as Godskitchen, The Gallery and Passion – and remixing widely.
They soon became the darlings of the dance music press and received glowing reviews from the likes of Mixmag and DJ Magazine.
More driving melodic trance followed from the duo - such as ‘Northern Lights’ (Anjunabeats 2005) – but they also pursued a more progressive sound such as with ‘Hi-Jack’ (Anjunabeats 2006) released under the production alias Aspekt.
The pair issued one further single, the double A side ‘White / Black’ (Anjunabeats 2006) before focusing on their respective solo careers. Both individually continued to release tracks on Anjunabeats and Smith continues to do so to this day. The Smith and Pledger website remains live however, perhaps leaving the door open for future collaboration.
Smith and Pledger’s joint production career was relatively short at just four years – but in that time they made a big impact on the trance scene and a deserved reputation for high quality, driving melodic trance. Both members have since gone on to become established solo producers in their own right.
Smith and Pledger met at university in 2000.