INTRODUCING:
PIERS JAMES
Rapper and singer Piers James hailing from Ipswich (UK), has a number of tunes you’ve heard and a name that will not only headline but one that will be remembered, from here on out. Showing a range unmatched by his peers, through his classic soul sound combined with modern hip-hop elements, he has a sound that moves smoothly through R&B and jazz. Whether he is singing catchy melodies or rapping through hard -hitting lyrics, Piers opens his doors, wide allowing his audience a seat at the table to his life.
INTERVIEW BY: Sophie Emmett
HI PIERS, HOW ARE YOU?
I’m good - I’m alive and blessed so I can’t complain!
SINCE LONDON IS NOW IN ITS 3RD LOCKDOWN WHAT ARE YOU MISSING MOST, PERHAPS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOUR SON THEO?
Unfortunately, Theo’s been in Ipswich and whilst I’ve been in London so I haven’t been able to see him as regularly as I would’ve liked, I’ve really missed being able to just hang with him and do simple things like play Mario kart or even just going for a bike ride to the bakery. But in general not being able to just go for a drink, go to the cinema or spending quality time with my family & friends is frustrating. But it has enabled me to focus on the year ahead and get the music and videos ready without distractions.
CAN WE ADD ‘TEACHER’ TO YOUR LIST OF TALENTS?
Of course! I believe we all are teachers in one way or another. When I think about what a Teacher does, their role is to pass what you know onto others. I think knowledge is one of the most valuable things we have to give in this world and so I always aim to teach people what I’ve learned from my experiences and also be open to learning from others, especially if they’re more knowledgeable about areas in life.
WHAT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF FILMING MASS APPEAL IN BARBADOS?
I think just being immersed in the culture of my home town was so special to me. The last time I went back to Barbados was when I was six, so to see it again with a totally different mindset especially during a time where we’d been stuck indoors since March was therapeutic & surreal in a sense.
“I GREW UP IN A WHITE PREDOMINANT AREA & THE ONLY WAY I KNEW HOW TO NOT SUPPRESS MY FEELINGS AND GET MY EMOTIONS OUT WAS TO WRITE IT DOWN WHICH WAS HOW YOUNG, BLACK, BRITISH WAS BORN”
I’VE HEARD YOU’RE A BIG FAN OF FILMS, WITH A LOVE OF CINEMATOGRAPHY, WHICH MAKES A LOT OF SENSE; CAN YOU REVEAL WHAT THE INSPIRATION WAS FOR MASS APPEAL?
I am indeed! I love the way something as simple as a camera angle can make you feel within a film and so the presentation and art of my music and videos is something I’ve always seen as a necessity. I’ve always tried to shy away from the stereotypical video so having the opportunity to shoot the video for Mass Appeal in Barbados was incredible. The inspiration behind Mass Appeal was to showcase the true authenticity of the island and to highlight never to be afraid of truly being yourself in whatever you create. We shot it on lots of different mediums, cameras, phones, go pro’s, whatever we had to hand and just hopped around the island having fun!
WITH THIS IN MIND, FOR THE FUTURE PIERS JAMES BIOPIC, WHO WOULD YOU HAVE TO PLAY YOU AND WHO WOULD DIRECT IT?
I would have to break the biopic characters into three; a younger self, a current version and an older version of myself. In terms who I would have play my younger self, Caleb McLaughlin from Stranger things would be sick, for the current me, honestly I couldn’t think of anyone better than me to play me… but if I had to choose somebody it would probably have to be Michael Ward. In terms of older self I would love to see Mahershala Ali play that role as I loved him in Green Book. To direct it, it would have to be none other than Spike Lee!
EARLY ON IN YOUR CAREER YOU WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ED SHEERAN’S SUPPORTING ACT, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST INTIMIDATING ASPECT OF PERFORMING LIVE IS?
Because I have performed for so long now I very rarely get intimidated but I remember when I used to do intimate shows where there would like 10 people in the crowds & the most intimidating aspect of performing live was when the crowd was really stiff. I like to have fun & vibe with the people at my shows and so if I see somebody with their arms crossed, not nodding, no smiles & no energy it use puts you on edge but more time now I like to pick them out in the crowd and get a smile from them, I’m an entertainer & I want to make sure that people are having fun!
SINCE THAT PERFORMANCE, WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU LEARNED AND HAVE SINCE IMPLEMENTED INTO YOUR OWN GIGS?
Since that performance, it definitely instilled confidence in my ability to perform to a crowd of that size, and honestly, I can’t wait for the day I’m able to have my own headline show with 45,000 in attendance! The experience was amazing!
WITH YOUR TRACKS LIKE GARDEN OF EDEN, YOU DON’T HOLD BACK, YOU’RE TRANSPARENT WITH WHO YOU ARE AND UNLIKE OTHER ARTISTS, YOU ARE LAYING IT ALL OUT ON THE TABLE, WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BE SO OPEN WITH YOUR FANS?
Growing up being inspired by the likes of Andre 3000, Kanye, Pharrell, Tribe Called Quest, and even listening to an array of other genres, made me realise that the music that I connect with the most usually is introspective and something relatable to a mood or period of life where I was feeling a type of way. I want to be able to connect with my fans in the same way manner that I experienced it. Being vulnerable in your art is what it means to be a true artist.
YOUNG BLACK AND BRITISH IS ANOTHER ONE OF YOUR TRACKS THAT AGAIN REVEALS, A REAL AUTHENTICITY, YOU’RE CLEARLY WRITING ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR LYRICS, HOWEVER, WHAT DOES THAT PROCESS LOOK LIKE?
Writing has always been a form of escapism and therapy for me. I grew up in a white predominant area & the only way I knew how to not suppress my feelings and get my emotions out was to write it down which was how Young, Black, British was born. I can only speak on the experiences that I have been through so I had to learn to live through things, experience them and take whatever comes my way, good or bad, and use that as my fuel to make the music that you hear today.
YOU’VE MENTIONED THAT NAS’ ILLMATIC WAS THE ALBUM THAT TAUGHT YOU HOW TO NOT ONLY WRITE BUT PRODUCE AN ALBUM PROPERLY, SO PIERS ARE WE GOING TO GET THIS LONG-ANTICIPATED ALBUM FROM YOU IN 2021?
I’ve been working quietly over the last 3/4 years on new music, and what you’re seeing now is just the tip of the iceberg. I want to release a few more tracks before we get into album mode but in 2022 you never know.
NOW I’VE NEVER BEEN TO YOUR HOME TOWN IPSWICH, SO TELL ME THE TOP 5 THINGS TO SEE/DO THERE?
Well there’s not a lot of things to do but if I had to say 5 top things, in a particular order
Try out the Dry Ski Slope
Head to the marina on the quayside and have a drink and some food
When it’s sunny go sit and have a picnic Christ church park
Go Jimmy Farms and see some animals
Watch a play at the Wolsey or Regent Theatre
POST LOCKDOWN, WHERE WILL WE FIND PIERS JAMES?
Out of the UK, getting Wavey somewhere other than here!
GARMENTS USED
Olubiyi Thomas
Nicholas Daley
Song Of Mute
Clarks Originals