Dj Pierre – Influences

Symphonic Winds played a huge part in how I write and produce. I played the clarinet and drums in symphonic winds from elementary all through high school. It influenced me greatly because, as we know, House music was very rugged. Most folks had no formal musical training. So the training I did have in H.S. directed my style, my vision. I ended up playing my own chords and directing musicians on how to play. I had more of a personal input in telling the musical story.

All things Comic Books. They transported me and stimulated my imagination.

Boosty Collins and Parliament – My brother used to play this so I got into it. I liked all the spacey weird sound in. It was up my alley even as a kid. I guess the ‘out there’ vibe and nature of an artist, book or film always left a mark.

Everything Kraftwerk. I was from the south suburbs of Chicago so I played the more electronic/european side of things like Kraftwerk. The city guys who were actually in Chicago were more into straight up disco. But I would venture out and Kraftwerk was what I found. If we thought Acid Tracks was amazing at first hearing it’s because we were exposed to the sounds of Kraftwerk. Their music trained my ear to recognise groundbreaking new material.

SuperNintendo Video Games. I used sounds from Contra III for one of my biggest tracks called ‘Atom Bomb’. Again, thinking outside the box always finding new ways to express what I’m thinking, even while playing a video game. Everything is music to me. My dad would tell the story that I would make a beat around the sounds of the washing machine at about 4 or 5 years old. So I think I was built this way.

Star Trek: It helped me understand that it was OK to think outside the box. To go where no man has gone before. That’s Phuture’s motto actually. We pushed the boundaries with Acid Tracks etc. As DJ Pierre I still push the boundaries. So as a kid it was great to be taken away into these other worlds via this TV show.

Fingers Inc. Distant Planet. Influenced me to write “Phantasy Girl”. Fingers Inc. had a large influence on me overall as a writer/producer.

This is a current on-going influence on me. When I play this I feel its a conversation between myself and God and, ultimately, the people. I’m saying to God I will be a vessel to share this message of hope and encouragement. I’m saying to the people: don’t look at your circumstances and stay stuck. Get up and know that there is a better tomorrow.

The Holy Bible: Transformed my life. Everything I do is centred in the words that have become real in my life. The way I live, the way I create. I pray before I sit down to make a track. I pray before I DJ. Music is Spiritual in nature. Have you ever wondered why a love song can cause a man to get down on one knee and cause that woman to say yes? A song can create hate, jealousy, love, pride, confidence, hope… So it affects us to the core, no matter what colour, background, race – you are affected the same way usually. That’s because we are spiritual beings and that song speaks to our spirit. So when I create music now I keep that as the centre of my world. Knowing that I can influence someone today with this track or vocal.

John Coltrane – He played the Sax. My father loved the Saxophone. My Uncle Nat Jones (my namesake) played the Clarinet and he played with Duke Ellington when he came to Chicago. I ended up playing the clarinet as well. So we all had a love for wind instruments. It made me fall in love with Jazz. The improvisational aspect of it totally captured me. Loved that they could just flow and cause you to feel what they feel at that moment. Instantly.