Stereoboard Interviews The Pierces - Catherine Pierce Speaks About New Album (Interview)
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
Written by Rob Sleigh
Earlier this month, ‘You & I’, the fourth album from New York-based folk-pop duo The Pierces, hurtled into the UK Albums Chart at Number Four, marking the sisters’ first Top 10 release on this side of the pond and a very warm welcome to the start of their current tour. In the four years since the release of their last album, 2007’s ‘Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge’, sisters Catherine and Allison Pierce, who are originally from Birmingham in Alabama, have been busy working on new music and contemplating their future. Also in that time, the pair teamed up with Coldplay bassist Guy Berryman, who co-produced ‘You & I’ with his production partner Rik Simpson. With a brand-new album out, The Pierces have a busy year ahead with a number of UK shows planned, including dates at Glastonbury, Hop Farm Festival and Summer Sundae Weekender. Stereoboard recently caught up with Catherine Pierce to find out more about the band and their new album.
How does it feel to have your first Top 10 album in the UK?
It feels great. It’s a bit surreal though. Our album was in between Adele’s two records on the charts. Crazy.
How would you describe the album to anyone that hasn’t yet had the pleasure of hearing it?
Lots of harmonies and very melodic. It has a nostalgic feel, but is still very fresh sounding.
It’s been a few years since the release of your previous album. What have The Pierces been up to in that time?
We are always writing and making new music, but there was a moment there where we were very unsure about our musical future. We floundered for a bit.
How different was ‘You & I’ to make compared with your previous work?
The making of each of our records was very different. This one was really fun because we had no label at the time and no deadlines, etcetera. We were just having fun and being creative working with friends. It was great.
You worked with Coldplay’s Guy Berryman on this album. How did that collaboration come about and what was he like to work with?
We met Guy in New York City years ago and he became a fan of our music. We had discussed collaborating at some point, but our schedules didn’t allow it until recently. He was wonderful to work with because he is so talented and really hard-working too.
Please could you tell us a bit about the lyrical themes on the album? Where did you find inspiration for your lyrics this time around?
We are usually inspired by relationships and things we are going through. Pain makes for good art.
How did you first get into music when you were growing up?
Our father is a musician so it's something that has always been a part of our lives.
Whose idea was it for the two of you to start writing music together and how did the band first come about?
Well, we’ve always sung together since we were like four and six, so it was just a natural progression. We started writing songs in our late teens. You know, when all the heartache and longing begins [Laughs]. We’ve always written separately for the most part though.
When did you start to realise that it was something you wanted to do long-term?
I think we always knew it was something that we’d do eventually.
How have the ambitions of the band changed since the beginning?
We got our first record deal really easily in the beginning, so I think we were a bit naive as to how much work it takes to make it. 11 years and four record deals later, we now know better. We are much more involved in everything and have more control.
You must be a very close family. What is it like being in a band with your sister?
It’s great for the most part, but we do have moments where we wanna kill each other.
You’re currently based in New York. When did you first move there and what effect did that have on your music?
New York grows you up quickly. We wrote our first two records while living in the South and they are very sweet, but we were pretty sheltered. You hear a distinct change in our sound on the third record. That one was written after living in New York City for a while. You can’t help but change and grow when you live there.
How does life in New York differ from where you are originally from in Alabama?
The energy is completely different. It’s hard to compare them. It’s two different worlds.
What have been the highlights of The Pierces’ musical career so far?
I’d say the making of our last record and the making of the new one. We love being in the studio and watching the songs take shape.
You’re currently on tour here in the UK, followed by a couple of festival performances later in the summer. What are you looking forward to most about the shows?
We’ve never headlined in the UK, so that is really exciting. So far, most of the shows have sold-out and the crowds have been amazing. We are really looking forward to Glastonbury too.
Have you played in the UK much before? If so, what do you like most about coming here?
We’ve toured here a couple of times. Once with Lissie and once a long time ago with Albert Hammond Jr. We love being in the UK. It’s hard to say what we like most about it. I guess I'd say the people.
How does it compare to playing back home in the States?
Shorter drives.
What can people expect from your live shows?
We’re playing with a full band and we’ve really gotten the live show to sound very much like the album. We want people to hear the songs that way.
Will you be planning some more dates for later in the year?
Yes. We’ll be here for most of this year and into the next. You can't get rid of us.
‘You & I’ is out now.
The Pierces UK & Ireland Tour Dates are as follows:
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How does it feel to have your first Top 10 album in the UK?
