All In London Talks to DJ Pierre

We caught up with the legendary Chicago DJ and producer DJ Pierre to talk all things house, Acid Trax and Tinie Tempah.
All In London Talks to DJ Pierre picture

Hello there and first of all how does it feel to have been on top of the scene for the twenty years or so that you have been working?

I'm humbled to be still considered for major events, production collaborations and remix requests. I do what I do, because I still love it. I don't look at the years really...nor the accolades. I just continue to do what I do and next thing I look around and 20+ years has passed! So I am thankful for that. It's a blessing.


And how do you manage to keep it fresh, new and I guess, vital. Is it a case of pressure as a legendary DJ/Producer to always be one step ahead in the house scene?

Innately I guess. If you look at my progression and work the sounds have always been a head of the curve. They've always been sort of different from what's out there as in Acid Trax and my WildPitch stuff. So it's natural for me to take what's current and re-interpret it my way or just do something totally new from scratch.

I'm also open-minded. I accept the evolution of music. Not all of it, but I accept and vibe to productions by Bart B More, Tommie Sunshine, Dada Life, Boys Noize etc. I feed on the vibe and then I merge my own creativity with it. The end result is "Acid" out on BNR Trax now or "Strobe Lights, Laser, Disco" out on Dimmak in July.


You’re joining forces with Marshall Jefferson and Steve 'Silk' Hurley & DJ Skip to play the Pioneers Of House Music event on July 28th. How do you feel about being united with your fellow Chicago house legends? How well do you know them and have you worked with them before?

Happy to be working with the Pioneers of House brand, and working with everyone is a natural progression. It’s a great line-up for the first edition and Marshall had a lot to do with who I am today and my career, honestly. He is still very relevant to the scene. He is "The" Pioneer.

Steve Hurley needs no intro. He belongs on this line up and I am excited that he is teaming up with Skip to present something new, a revamped version of himself. S&S Experience is the modern version of Silk with an added punch from DJ Skip.

I'm happy to see that evolution because far too many times, some Chicago DJs accept the term old-school and they never grow! They never elevate. They become what the people want them to become...old school. There is no creative growth in that.


What was your first break and first big record and did it set you on your path?

First big break as a DJ was DJ-ing for Lil Louis at The Bismarck in Chicago. My first big Record was "Acid Tracks" with Phuture. As DJ Pierre it was " Pierre's Phantasy Girl". Felix Da Housecat made his first appearance to the world on that track as well. He played keyboards on it.


Do you think House is having a renaissance right now or that the music is so strong it's never really gone away? What kind of a set will you be playing and do you have any secret weapons you can share with us?

House has evolved. A DJ Pierre House set 5 years ago is totally different from a DJP House set today. My sets will feed off the audience so it's not pre-planned but it will be a true Afro Acid set. It may include some classics, some techno, some electro, Acid and whatever else finds its way in. Afro Acid's motto says basically there are no boundaries to creativity. So if I play a true AA set then you never know what you are going to get.


How does playing London compare to other countries and how do you feel about us as a city – we’ll steer clear of the weather though!

Ha ha. The UK has been my home on and off over the years. I've spent more time in London than anywhere else in Europe through most of the 90's, so it has a special place in my heart. London also has its relationship with me...at times I'm deeply loved and at times it's like they can't figure me out, you know? But, London has always supported me and for that I support her.


House and dance is so much ingrained in British music, are there any UK artists whose music you feel a real affinity for?

The UK got it a long time ago. The US is just getting on the bandwagon. I like Tinie Tempah that 'Pass Out Track." That joint he did with Labrynth is kool as well. Holla at your boy Tinie! "Dynamite" by Taio Cruz is hot. Can't front on it.


You grew up in Chicago and then moved to NYC/New Jersey, how much of an influence did the neighbourhoods around you have on your path towards music? Were there any other major influences such as key people, DJ's, producers or clubs etc?

Great influence! In Chicago my skills as a DJ were honed. I used to be scratching Pierre using 3 turntables destroying DJ's in battles! As a DJ in Chicago you cannot be 'Ok'. You have to be GREAT. That competitive environment made me a very technical DJ to this day.

As a producer in Chicago you had to be unique and find your niche because the best in the world was there. So again I naturally sought to be the best at whatever productions I did. So Chicago was my school with Lil Louis, Ron Hardy, and Marshall Jefferson as teachers.

New York/New Jersey taught me how to run my brand and business. I moved away from Chicago because the labels were corrupt and the competition became toxic. I was on top and some people wanted me down. So the very thing that made me, wanted to destroy me.

So I moved to NYC and I started working as a producer with Jive records then onto Strictly Rhythm as an A&R and producer. My business sense was developed somewhat there, and I saw how a label was operated. The New York club scene in general was very influential at the time. I had my studio and developed as a producer there with Barbara Tucker ‘The Horn Song’ and David Morales etc coming to my studio. I formed DJP Records and then Afro Acid out of that experience.


So after over twenty years, what does the future hold for DJ Pierre?

The last few years has been the most challenging and the most creative for me as an artist. Learning and integrating all of the new technology such as Tractor took some doing. I stretched myself working on remixes for The Human League, Hot Rod, Jill Scott and Django, Django. My new release on Boys Noize's label "Acid" reflects the level that I am now. It had to be current and interesting for a unique label like BNR to want it.


And before you leave us, can you tell us something you think we should all be listening to before we head out the door on a Saturday night?

Definitely 'Acid" on BNR and ‘Strobe Lights, Laser Disco’ which is coming out on Steve Aoki's label Dimmak soon. Also, the heads will love this. I just finished a remake of "We Are Phuture" with Carl Cox and DJ Spank of Phuture. Really did it justice. That will be out in July as well on Bush Records.

DJ Pierre headlines the Afro Acid meets The Pioneers Of House Music event alongside Marshall Jefferson and Steve ‘Silk’ Hurley’s S&S Experience on Saturday July 28th 2012 at The Coronet. A huge line up also featuring Tom Stephan aka Superchumbo, Bart B More, Booker T, Richie Fingers, 2 Good Souls, Huckle Finn, Chalk E White and many more.

Published Jul 25, 2012