INTERVIEW: PIERCE BROTHERS
Folk-pop duo Jack and Pat Pierce, better known as the Pierce Brothers leap into their newest era with their latest album ‘Atlas Shoulders’. Pierce Brothers first gave a glimpse into their debut album on their single ‘Back End Roads’. The single pulls from the idea of home and the magnetic connection to one’s haven. We chat about how this album manifested from the group’s experiences, including touring life on the road, and how ‘Back End Roads’ cements the album’s themes and ideas concentrated on longing for home, and other issues involving anxiety and depression. Pat Pierce answers some of our questions below!
Not only are the lyrics to ‘Back End Roads’ so vivid and set the scene for the kind of sanctuary that Wilson’s Prom is to Pierce Brothers, but ultimately so does the sound and the entire feel of the song.
Can you talk about adjusting and getting the sound to depict the homely and freeing nature of Wilson’s Prom?
Everyone has a place like Wilson’s Prom that they have, to escape the rest of the world. The influences of the tune came mostly from what we’d be listening to driving down there over the years.It’s a summer vibes tune, plain and simple. About getting away from the grind and a throw back to the more mellow summer anthems that dominated our youth. We immediately thought that this song could be a single; and even though it’s quite mellow we all got so excited about it. The drums are vibes that throw back to Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Dreams’, while melodies and choruses are more Australian folk that we’ve always loved.
Why did this sound, to you, best encapsulate the Wilson’s Prom atmosphere?
Whenever I’m in that special place, my state of mind is much more chill and moves at a slower pace than whatever it does in the city or on tour. The music I listen to reflects that, and I guess the music that came out of this reflects that as well.
Can you talk about how the noise of travelling and that constant on the go of being a musician influences such a raw song that touches on your roots?
I’m writing these answers in a pink ‘green room’ in the middle of the Netherlands, having been away from home for more than two months. There are several plastic heads with weird wigs sticking out of the walls and about 15 different crew members wandering around, setting the stage, while we wait to load our gear on. It’s not your normal situation, but it is pretty amazing. But after this long on the road all I’m thinking about is getting home to Melbourne, and as soon as I have the chance getting out of the city and going surfing.
How has the balance in travelling been, between embracing and immersing yourself in travelling, against that longing and desperation of home and that minimal life and the small pleasures?
This tour has actually been pretty incredible. We did a month on the Tash Sultana tour, which was pretty amazing. For an act like us, playing such large crowds sold out (even though we were just the support) was perfect for us. We got everyone onside early and following up with all of our own headline dates around Europe meant that nearly every show of this tour has been incredible. It also helped that we share a lot of friends in the Tash crew, so we really felt like a family. That said, being away from home takes its toll and after nine weeks, it gets old. We’re hitting the tail end of this tour and looking forward to a few days off before things get hectic again back home for the release.
Can you share how this particular track aligns with what people can expect from the upcoming album?
When we were writing this album we had a bunch of different and conflicting influences and we wanted to do all of them at once. We started writing this after the release of ‘Go Farther In Lightness’ by Gang Of Youths, which to us is one of the best albums released in the last decade. We really took a hard look at our lyrics and songwriting after that, pretty much asking ourselves, “How the fuck are we going to make anything near this level of genius?” Bands like Fleetwood Mac, Fleet Foxes, Angus & Julia Stone, and The Lumineers were all influences on us in some way or another on this album. It lead to a pretty eclectic mix of sounds on the record, but there is an overall warmth and energy that we feel we’ve finally translated from the stage, which I think connects the tunes together.
Is the album an extension of this sound, or can we see more of an experimentation and diversity?
This is a difficult question to answer, as it’s pretty subjective. I personally think that there’s a bunch of different sounds and influences, but someone else listening to it might lump it in to the same sound all over. Perhaps I’m too close to it. The main idea of this album was to do something we’ve had trouble with in the past, and bring our live onstage energy to the studio. In this regard, I feel like we’ve achieved something.
Thematically as well, how does this song pave the way for the album – are the songs similar centered around stepping back from the frantic and chaotic aspects of work and life, or does it take a more holistic view on life?
Overall the thematic tone of the album certainly angles inward, although in varied ways. There are several songs about depression, anxiety and the trepidation of choosing an uncertain life like this. ‘Holding On’, the final track on the album is purely about PTSD and the effects of it in a relationship. However, we also wanted to bring some light onto that shade. Songs like ‘Trip Lovers’, ‘Juno’ and ‘Back End Roads’ are all love songs with a positive energy.
Something we’ve almost avoided in the past as we’ve always thrived on the melancholy of love. So, in saying that we also have some more tragic love songs in there like ‘Wasted’, ‘Waiting’ and ‘Reckless Hearts and Restless Hands’. Overall the themes run through from one to the other and tell a story of our lives and where we’re at, and like I was telling you about where I am right now, that story is not normal. It’s varied. But it’s amazing.
You guys have been making music for quite some time now, and are fortunate enough to have released some EP’s, and now you’ve made the leap into releasing a full-length album. What made you guys feel that this was the time?
We’ve wanted to make a full-length for a long while now. When we signed with Warner the plan was to get stuck into it immediately, but as touring plans changed we went for an EP first. After that we put together a full-length album, but had an idea of splitting the album in sections, to try something new. Finally our schedules and writing has brought something together that we’re stoked with, and we really just can’t wait to get into the world.
What gave you the knowledge and belief that now is the time to put this full and complete body of work to the world?
I don’t think we have that knowledge or belief yet, but once we were happy with the 11 songs we worked the album down to, and listened through, we felt like we’d put together something special. Trepidation is a major theme in ‘Atlas Shoulders’, which translates to release time as well.
Can you talk about the significance of the timing? Has the long road helped you in refining ideas and honing in on your strengths? What have you benefitted from taking your time?
We started writing ‘Atlas Shoulders’ in October 2017 and started recording in various studios around Australia in February 2018. We finished principal recording for the album about five days before heading over to Europe to start our 2018 EU/UK tour. Fitting the recording and finalising the record around our touring schedule was pretty hectic, but we definitely benefited from taking the measured approach and not rushing anything out. In saying that, as soon as we’re back on home soil, we’re beginning work on the next album. We’ve already got a few songs down and are itching to get back into the studio and demo out as many as possible! Maybe a studio near the beach…
Lastly, can you talk about the name ‘Atlas Shoulders’ and how you believed this best represents the upcoming collection of new music?
There’s a song on the record called ‘Stand Up’ which references Atlas’ shoulders. This particular song is about working the music grind. Playing a thousand shows and trying to make happen it in the studio. Atlas had the world on his shoulders and when we’re working and travelling and were trying to get it all together we felt the same way. The song ‘Stand Up’ came from that. With anxiety, depression, love and harmony all explored throughout the album, we figured that ‘Atlas Shoulders’ would be the best representation of the completion of our work.
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