Brighton Music Conference - GET TO KNOW: DJ PIERRE
NoWayBack are proud to be partners with www.brightonmusicconference.co.uk where we will be supporting DJ Pierre's Q&A session supplying some free t's for the best questions.
The Brighton Music Conference offers an array of opportunities for both experienced professionals, those looking to break into the electronic music industry, and electronic dance music fans
Over 40 educational masterclasses, showcases, & Q&A's covering all you need to know to be successful in the industry featuring over 160 speakers, artists & DJ’s already confirmed covering everything from DJing and production, to sound, event management, piracy-prevention, marketing, and new technologies.
Here's a snippet of their interview with DJ Pierre:
Acclaimed Chicago born DJ and house music producer DJ Pierre sat down with us to chat about all things acid house, perfect beats, how to stay on top and share some of his thoughts on the industry ahead of Brighton Music Conference:
What’s the philosophy behind Afro Acid?
Afro Acid is a concept I actually had a dream about. In the dream I saw the afro acid man’s logo which is the smiley face with an afro and a pick winking at me. A whimsical view of the iconic image I guess. So I went to 2 different graphic artists until we got the perfect look. The AA man was born then we started to work on the meaning of Afro Acid. I’m always growing as an artist. I’m known more so for Acid house do people tend to put me in that one box. But i’m more than that. So I created a label Afro Acid Digital to showcase the type of music I wanted to do without any expectations. I also created the label to allow new talent who could not get through the door, a place to just be. Our motto is- there are no boundaries to creativity. So Afro Acid is a true concept that came from me heart. It’s a way of thinking. Encouraging people to think outside the box...and just create. So In an Afro Acid dj set you can hear anything from a classic track to even an electro track or hard acid anything from soft to hard. It just all depends. It’s a mixture of styles.
Is there any genre of music you wish you could get away with playing?
Not really. I’m very comfortable with what I do now. I mix it up and take risks. I played at a very popular club in Amsterdam and the crowd was going for it. A couple of other dj friends were there and they were hyped when I dropped this one track! Then they looked over and saw it was by a “commercial” dj...and they gave me the look like...why are you playing that guy?! BUT the fact is before they knew who he was they were jamming and they loved the track. So If I love a track...I really do not care who made it. I will play it. Music has 2 genres. Genre 1# 1 is I love it. Genre #2 is I don’t like it. That’s it. I have worked with Steve Aoki’s label Dim Mak, i’ve worked with boys Noize’s label BNR trax and i’m working with Laidback Luke now and will release a track on his label. So If i’m passionate about a concept or an idea I will spread my wings and reach out towards it. I don’t label.
How has easy access to technology changed the way you make music?
It’s definitely made it a lot easier, but it’s removed the organic nature of making music. With Analog you are forced to listen with your ears, your gut. With the newer technology we tend to make music with our eyes in a brainy sort of way, so it’s not as true and from the soul you know.
What’s the secret to your longevity?
I don’t think it’s a secret. It’s something that’s out there for the world to see and live by. It’s finding and knowing your purpose. Early on I knew making music was what I wanted to do. As I got older I knew that I had to make music from the inside out. In other words, I can’t look around and copy what the next guy is doing. So I think this is why I was able to come up with sounds and styles that no one else was doing at the time, like the wildPicth style. So just staying true to who you are is the key.
What’s been the highlight of your career so far?
There are so many. I’m very humbled still by what that one track Acid Trax has done. It still is making such an impact in the world of music. And because of that I think Phuture the group still has more to do. So In fact PHUTURE has been reborn so to speak and we are working on new material and we are touring again. So I will be a part of that. We need to put a full stop to the sentence. Acid Trax is still creating new fans and fanbases all over the world. It’s only right that the group who created this movement be exposed to the newer ears. So Acid Trax is still the most influential highlight and force in my life.
When was the last time you heard ‘Acid Trax’?
I listened to it just recently. I am always engaged in conversation about it.
It’s fast approaching 30 years of Acid House. Do you think the early days of the dance scene will eventually be looked upon with the same reverence as jazz or blues?
I hope that will be the sentiment. I do hope that PHUTURE will be looked upon as originators and I hope we will find our place as one of the forerunners of the Dance scene.
Read the full article here.