On November 27 at Fairfield Theater Company, the Brody Wilkinson Emerging Artist Series will feature two electronic artists, Pierce Fulton and NVDES as they stop by The Warehouse at FTC on their “Better Places Tour.” Talking Heads alums Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth, along with record producer Peter Katis will also be on hand for this performance.
Chris Frantz, founder of the Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club, and one of the curators of the emerging artist series, interviewed Pierce Fulton to learn more about his roots, influences, and connection to Fairfield, Connecticut.
Chris Frantz: We are looking forward to your upcoming show at FTC in our Emerging Artists Series. Have you ever been to Fairfield, CT before? Have you ever performed here?
Pierce Fulton: I’m really looking forward to it too!! And it’s funny because I was born in Bridgeport, CT! I lived in Fairfield until I was 9 and then moved to Vermont for middle school, high school and
college. A very large majority of my family lives in Fairfield so it’s always still felt like home and playing at FTC will be my first time playing in Fairfield which is big for me! The fact that it’s an all
ages show means my entire extended family can come and see me play, young cousins, aunts, uncles etc!
CF: How would you describe your musical style at the moment or do you prefer to avoid categorization?
PF: Well a majority of my music falls under the Progressive House categorization, which is totally accurate and I’ve mostly made Progressive House over my years pursuing music full time. I’ve been playing music my entire life though; well before producing electronic music I was playing guitar in bands and picking up various instruments in school music classes. 3 years ago, after I’d
established myself in the electronic scene a bit, I decided to bring back those early influences by injecting more recorded music into my electronic songs. The combination is what I describe as “electronic music with a live band feel” because typically I play and sing all of the recorded parts on my songs so it’s basically a band of myself with featured vocalists from time to time.
CF: Do you have any musical heroes, influences or mentors that people should know about?
PF: Like my past, my influences totally come from opposite sides of the spectrum. I was very fortunate to be raised by parents that have an excellent ear for music. My childhood was filled with the Rolling Stones, The Doors, Grateful Dead, Neil Young, and lots of really timeless rock music. And on the flip side, what got me into electronic music were artists like Eric Prydz, Above & Beyond, Paul Kalkbrenner and a lot of the more melodic house and trance sounds that came out of 2007-2010. After years of experimenting and teaching myself the ins and outs of producing and engineering on the computer, all of those influences started blending together unintentionally.
CF: How do you feel about protest music and people expressing their political views in song?
PF: I think it’s both very good and very bad. There are a lot of issues that people are too afraid to even think about, let alone talk about, and to be able to express that with music is so powerful in the really good way. But then I think about all of the mixed messages that one person can take in between the media, the art world, their family, friends, colleges, etc. Anyone’s opinion can get in front of millions of people these days so it scares me to think about how many are flying around the internet and how people who have a hard time having their own opinion might latch onto someone else’s.
CF: What can people expect from your show production wise?
PF: So I’ve been building up to a tour like this since I first started sprinkling live instruments into my electronic music. I’ve been collecting gear, learning live show tips, and slowly preparing my
songs to be played live rather than on turntables for close to 3 years. I even did some mock up sets in private years ago just to test techniques out that I was positive I’d one day turn into my actual show. And that was all just preparation for the past 3 months that I’ve spent deconstructing my entire catalog for a completely live and unique show experience each night, programing a light show that is tied to each musical element of each individual song (which means I can rearrange my set at any given moment wooo!), and simply practicing playing and singing my songs. As I said, I’ve been planning to make my show like this for a very long time so I’m putting 110% of myself into this tour and so far it feels incredible.
Join Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth, and record producer Peter Katis for Pierce Fulton and NVDES’ debut in The Warehouse on Monday, November 27. Tickets, information, and samples of the music can be found at Fairfieldtheatre.org.
NYSMusic was not present Thursday night but the setlist can speak for itself.
If there was one thing I would take from the weekend, it’s don’t sleep on 
The second half of the night was more of a relaxed set, with a beautiful “Amydst the Myst” to start the last opener. Towards the end, a very special guest came out to play with the band. Billy Comstock of Annie in the Water was originally Twiddle’s bassist and wrote one of the group’s most memorable songs, “Latin Tang.” The current bassist bowed out for a bit so the OG quartet could rock out for an incredible Tang we won’t soon be forgetting.
Eight bands are part of the Jam for Tots lineup this year, a charitable effort that brings live music and holiday season charity. Luke Weiler (Positive Mental Trip) has brought this series of shows to venues around Northeast, and has been expanded this year to span across New York State and includes 87/90 artists Intrepid Travelers, Cousin Earth, Formula 5, Space Carnival, Gowanus and Let’s Be Leonard, as well as Funkworthy and Chinatown Lights.
The group was founded in 2012 by Andre Walker (drummer) and Eric Rollin (vocalist). As a larger ensemble, the musicians within the group change from time to time. However, Walker and Rollin are the two members that have remained a constant over the years. Guitarist Ryan Sullivan, trombonist Elaine Mylius, and saxophonist Jon Weisbrot are featured within the current line-up, as well. Though Mistar Anderson started as a cover band, the group has expanded throughout the years and has begun to release their own songs, all of which hold a unique sound.
By the second song, “Cheap,” the audience was swaying in a sweet, dream like state normally reserved for sharing a bottle of merlot with old friends. With her hands in her pockets, Margo Timmins presented like someone you knew from college who was swaying and crooning to make you relax and smile. Real, human, and still incredibly talented, Margo’s haunting voice shared story after story from newer albums during the first set. “Mountain Streams” and “Missing Children” highlighted the mandolin as she whispered dreams of abandonment, disillusionment, and loneliness. Her style of pulling her mouth away from the microphone while still crooning along with the instruments added an intense harmony of layered instruments to the complex music.