RB Exclusive Interview: PIERCE

PIERCE is returning to where it all began for him on October 21st at The Van Buren in Phoenix. Supporting ARMNHMR on their Together As One Tour, PIERCE brings a special element to the stops he visits, and this show is not to be missed. A familiar face in the scene, PIERCE continues to elevate his brand by producing innovative tracks that balance on the line between wubs and bass music. He has also released music on huge labels such as Wakaan. Not one to shy away from being different, he is a trailblazer in the industry and is sure to deliver a memorable set.

PIERCE has released heaters this year and shows no signs of slowing down. “Bust Em” is a trap space bass song that truly showcases his creativity, with different sounds serving as the melody at various points. Getting even weirder, his song “Cyclone” brings the deep bass and is guaranteed to send the crowd into a trance at a festival. PIERCE is undoubtedly on the rise, and as he garners more recognition, the momentum is sure to carry him far. Growing up in Arizona, this show is a home town show, and a great blast to the past for him.

We had the chance to sit down and chat with PIERCE, discussing how he built his musical foundation, his move from Arizona to Los Angeles, the challenges of producing versus performing, and much more. Check it out below!

Great to meet you! How would you describe your own sound for those who are going to experience you for the first time in October? What type of emotions / stories are you trying to tell through your music?

Hey there! I would describe my sound as hard yet wonky and wobbly. I’d also say it’s fun and energetic and has tons of inspiration combined from multiple genres such as hip hop, house, etc. My music is a 100% genuine musical reflection of myself. It’s ME. It’s different and unique and follows my own journey through life and music.

Something I am always wondering is how artists learned their craft.  How did you gain a foundation of skills in order to push the boundaries of sound production?

When I first made the move to LA, I enrolled at ICON COLLECTIVE which is an awesome music production school that had some big names like NGHTMRE, Ghastly, Kayzo, and Slander as fellow grads. It was a great kick start for my career, helping me nail down production, figure out songwriting, branding, etc. After I graduated, I kind of went into hibernation mode for about a year. I pretty much just hung out with family and my closest buddies, buried myself in music, and relearned some of the stuff I was struggling with. Then, one day, it all clicked—sounds cliché, but it’s true. The more I poured into my songwriting and career, I started developing these neat little tricks and techniques in my production that set me apart from the rest. That’s when I, PIERCE, really started to shine an resonate with others.

What I really admire about your collabs is that you can tell (at least from my perspective) that intentional effort is made into combining two different artist’s styles.  Out of all your collabs, who has been the most fun to work with? Did any unexpected surprises result from collabing?

I don’t have a single top experience because I’ve had numerous incredible sessions with various artists. However, a few of my standout moments were with LSDream and Liquid Stranger. These sessions hold a special place in my heart, not only because we created an amazing song together, but also because of the seamless and energetically fun process we shared. Our bond grew stronger through the creative journey, and we became like brothers, people I can rely on not just in the realm of music but in life as well.

Which do you enjoy more – performing for a crowd and hearing their reaction and experiencing the energy of a live crowd, or producing new sounds and combining different elements of production into creating a new track?

Don’t get me wrong, I love those breakthroughs in the studio, but there’s just something about the raw energy of a crowd going absolutely nuts during the drop that really gets me. Seeing the sheer excitement on their faces and joining in on that energy, well, that’s the real icing on the cake for me.

We are excited for you to play in AZ where you grew up! What prompted your move to LA, and would you ever move back to AZ?

When I hit 18, right after high school, I was all about chasing my dream of becoming a touring artist. I wanted to bet on myself, you know? I wanted to show that I could really pull it off if I went all in and gave it my everything. And lately, I’ve been thinking about it more – Arizona just keeps growing on me as the years go by so maybe I’d move back someday.

Your story is a great example of how persistence and hard work succeed. What advice would you have to new producers?

My number one tip is to put your head down, keep your focus, and crank out tunes. Think of yourself like a sponge – soak up everything you can from those who’ve been at it longer, and keep going, even when it gets tough. Also, just be yourself. Being friendly and genuine can go a really long way in this game haha.

What can we expect for your set in October? We are very excited to have you!

I’m absolutely thrilled to be back in Phoenix! There’s just something special about hometown shows that make them my absolute favorite. Get ready for a night packed with intense bass drops, mind-bending wubs,  a bunch of new IDs and a whole lot more! See you soon!

PIERCE touches down at the Van Buren on Oct 21st with ARMNHMR, and it will be a night not to be missed. Get your tickets here!

Connect with PIERCE:  Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | SoundCloud