25 years after he helped invented acid house and 10 years after he became a born-again Christian, DJ Pierre remains devoted to both house music and God, attributing his recent career renaissance to both effort and regular prayer.
“Yes it’s true I’ve had a great year, man,” says Pierre, “GOD is good,” he enthuses (using capitalisation throughout his email responses).
“It’s about prayer and hard work,” the Chicago legend explains. “I’ve been putting in a lot of hard work and staying creative in the studio and I’ve also had some amazing DJ sets along the way so that didn’t hurt one either. I also now pay close attention to the industry and do good PR by making sure I let people know what I’m up too at all times,” he says.
Chatting to Skrufff several ago Pierre spoke candidly about struggling to find a label to release his album and the practicalities of embracing life as a Christian with all its ramifications.
“I stopped cussing (swearing), Jonty, and I forgave a lot of people and I let go of a lot of negative energy. And I became very honest with the way I did business. My heart basically changed,” he confessed.
“My purpose today is to use my gift to show people that we can be better, we can overcome fear with faith, hate with love. It’s all possible through GOD,” he declared.
At the time he also labeled people who download tracks without paying as thieves, a stance he continues to maintain today, he says.
“I’ve not mellowed about this issue at all, these people are more thieves than ever,” he insists, “It’s hard times for record labels out there right now so the industry needs the support of the consumer or else it will collapse.”
He’s also stayed resolute in his faith, being vindicated with an impressive turnaround in his fortunes in the last 18 months. While the general music industry is struggling, Pierre’s career has been thriving of late via high profile releases from tastemaker labels such as DJ Hell’s Gigolo and Slam’s Soma Records. He’s also just released a reworking of Justice’s track Stress (called Stress or Justice) on his own label Afro Acid, together with a slew of remixes.
The accompanying video (at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG41HoY8Q6s) shows thousands of ecstatic clubbers rocking out to the high-energy (excellent) peak time electro-house track, reflecting his deserved status as one of the biggest name DJs, both 20 years ago and today.
IHOUSEU: It’s 10 years since you were born again: have you had many moments when you’ve had crises of faith? What’s been the biggest test)?
DJ Pierre: “I’ve had o crises of faith at all. My biggest test is just staying strong when things that should happen don’t. So my test is just to be more patient and know that GOD is forever faithful.”
IHOUSEU: How easy is it to resist temptation, for example when you have gorgeous girls throwing themselves at you?
DJ Pierre: “Man, I’ve learned a long time ago when I was single that I’m not interested in a one night stand. I need an emotional connection. So when I’m away I’m really only flattered but not tempted.”
IHOUSEU: Many big name DJs still use drugs and sleep with prostitutes on tour: do you ever feel awkward mixing with these people (or do any of them feel awkward around you?
DJ Pierre: “I don’t know if they feel awkward around me, but I try not to judge anyone as I myself am not perfect. It’s easy to single those things out and start to feel like you’re better than someone but that’s not Christian-like. I have my own sins and failings to deal with. There may be other areas in life that they may do far better than I.”
IHOUSEU: Do you ever feel the urge to enlighten or help people you meet along the way: to pass on the wisdom of the mistakes you’ve made?
DJ Pierre: “Yes I do. Whenever the spirit moves me I take the opportunity.”
IHOUSEU: What have been the biggest mistakes you’ve made?
DJ Pierre: “Not moving toward GOD earlier in my life when I felt HIS call upon me.”
IHOUSEU: I read an article last week that Detroit is approaching 50% unemployment in real terms: how concerned are you about the future for Detroit? and America in general?
DJ Pierre: “I’m very concerned about Detroit to be honest, but I think Detroit’s problem is one that’s been there for decades dating back to the riots. So the bad economy just exposes it further. Now as far as America in general is concerned I think that we are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and I also thing it’s a bright day for America because we are finally looking like the Universal Health Care reform bill is going to get past the senate.”
IHOUSEU: What do you make of the financial crisis and these bankers demanding millions in bonuses; how much is the devil at work in what’s going on? (if at all?)
DJ Pierre: “Well the enemy uses our greed and lust to influence us. So anywhere you see an industry driven by greed and lust you are seeing the influence of the Devil over that industry.”
Justice Vs DJ Pierre (Stress Or Justice) is out now on Afro Acid Records.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8XPyPJgOA8 (Justice Vs DJ Pierre (Stress Or Justice)
http://www.myspace.com/djpierresafroacidproject
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWj5uMbhQ-M (DJ Pierre live in Antwerp)
