By: Staff
Pierce Merrill Unveils His Captivating Debut Single “Dance”
Upon first listen to this song, we’re immediately going to scream, “WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN OUR WHOLE LIFE?!” With what is absolutely the most incredible and exciting intro to a song we have heard in decades, "Dance" by Pierce Merrill feels like it’s gently flowing into your ears, and you can’t help but just listen, but then when the explosion hits, you just want to jump up and dance! If you’re not literally in a dance club when you put this song on, just close your eyes, and I promise you will think you are in one. Maybe you should mix a drink ahead of time so you can be more prepared for this song!
The supporting musical arrangement of this track has all the elements of a high-quality dance anthem. With excellence in production and engineering, it has such a fullness and power that it almost feels like an orchestral performance fused with dance and R&B. The guitar and swirling sounds in your ears are literally infectious candy, dare I say, it’s a drug! Pierce Merrill has taken ownership of the word “dance” with his genius production methods. The song then drops out momentarily so we can hear front and center the beautiful opening lines, “I need you tonight.” When you hear the beauty, power, and exceptional cadence of this incredible singer, you’re gonna wonder why you didn’t know him before today.
The mixing of the beat in the background and its creative reverb perfectly support this incredible singing. Pierce Merrill is dripping with sultry magnetism through sound. The drop and fill right before the next chorus create even more magic for this artist. What a tremendous song! Dance tracks can be one of the most difficult to create because they need to break boundaries, and Pierce Merrill and his team have done just that. The unique, beautiful vocals of this performer ooze infectious energy.
We definitely feel that this song is a huge win, and that Pierce Merrill is our new favorite artist. The kick-ass guitar halo solo builds back up to an EDM-style explosion of sounds that David Guetta would be jealous of. Pierce Merrill is a legend in the making, and we can’t wait to hear more!
Pierce Merrill’s “Dance” is a mesmerizing debut that perfectly captures the thrilling rush of connection and living in the moment. With its infectious melodies, powerhouse vocals, and top-notch production, this track is destined to make waves in the pop and electronic music scene.
You can find this release on any major platform; see below for links to take you straight to some of the profiles. Make sure to playlist, stream, and share "Dance" by Pierce Merrill.
Wait… there's more!
We had the chance to catch up with Pierce Merrill for an exclusive interview in "The Cage" Music Blog.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview
How long have you been making music?
I’ve been making music my whole life, but it wasn’t until last year that I decided to take it seriously. Releasing music has always been on my bucket list, and I realized that if I didn’t seize the moment, it might never happen.
What was your vision for blending '80s pop with modern electronic influences in “Dance”?My vision was to create a sound that feels both nostalgic and fresh. I’ve always been captivated by the analog synths and innovative sound design of the '80s, which brought such a vibrant and authentic energy to the music. I wanted to capture that essence while incorporating contemporary production techniques to evoke the spirit of that era while making it feel relevant today.
What specific aspects of the song’s production were most exciting?
It’s hard to pin down specific aspects as the whole production process was exciting for me. I’ve always been a “bedroom producer” and this was my first time in a real studio with real outboard gear. I had no idea what to expect, but it ended up being one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Just seeing a rough demo go from pre-production to a finished product was something I’ll never forget.
You had quite the team on this production, with Steve Molella, the drummer of Finger Eleven, co-producing, Nick Radovanovic mixing, and Mike Cervantes of the Foxboro mastering. Can you tell us how you met and wound up working with such accomplished and talented individuals?
I discovered Steve through a random YouTube video about mixing. The engineer in the video was raving about Steve’s ability to get a great performance out of the vocalist. That resonated with me, so I reached out and sent him a couple of demos to see if he’d be interested in working with me—and the rest is history. I only learned he was the drummer for Finger Eleven after we started working together! Steve’s just a great dude and super passionate about his work. I’m so happy to have worked with him on “Dance.”I met Nick through a friend who had just had a record mixed by him. I loved how that project turned out, and I knew he would be a perfect fit for “Dance.” Nick’s one of the most down to earth guys I’ve ever met and truly a master at his craft. He’s one of the best out there and I’m so privileged to have had him mix this record. Nick ultimately referred me to Mike at The Foxboro, who master’s most of Nick’s tracks. These guys truly knocked it out of the park!
In what ways do you think “Dance” stands out in the current music scene?“
Dance” fuses pop, indie rock, and electronic elements to create a truly unique sound I feel has been missing from modern day music. While it’s a bit more on the experimental side, it still incorporates a lot of traditional instruments to give the listener a familiar experience. My goal was to push the boundaries sonically while still creating music that’s engaging and easy to enjoy.
How do you plan to continue evolving your sound after the release of “Dance”?
I plan to keep experimenting with different genres and production techniques while staying true to the sound I’ve created. I’m excited to collaborate with diverse artists and explore new musical landscapes. I want to blend more global influences and deepen the emotional layers in my music, all while staying true to the core elements that resonate with my listeners. It’s all about growth and discovery, and I’m looking forward to what comes next!
What emotion do you feel inspires your desire to start a project, ie sadness, worry, happiness etc.?
A little bit of every emotion. For me, creating music is a form of therapy. It allows me to escape from the anxieties of the world and transform my feelings into something tangible.
Can you walk us through your songwriting process, including where you most prefer to be when you write and create the foundation musical arrangements?
My songwriting process usually begins with a simple melody for a chorus or verse, which I capture as a voice memo on my phone. These melodies often come to me unexpectedly—in the car, late at night, or during a walk—and sometimes they sit untouched for weeks or even months. When I’m ready to dive into an idea, I like to sit down with a coffee in front of my computer, typically early on a weekend morning. I open Ableton Live and start experimenting with different ideas in the Session View, gradually building a rough demo of the full arrangement. Once I have that foundation, I focus on fleshing out the top line vocal melody for the entire song. Lyrics are the last piece of the puzzle and tend to be the most challenging and time-consuming part of my process.
What instrument do you use as the foundation to start your musical creations with?
It varies, but most of the time, I start with Ableton’s stock grand piano plugin. I find it great for laying down basic chords that help shape the melody and arrangement of the song. Occasionally, I’ll come across a cool synth patch that inspires me and start with that instead.
What part of the music-making process is the most stressful, ie the creation, the actual release date, etc?
Definitely the days leading up to the release—specifically marketing and promotion. Making the music is the fun part, but that’s such a small piece of the process in this day and age. As an independent artist just starting out, you’re forced to wear so many different hats. It can get pretty overwhelming.
Most people love or hate social media—where do you land?
I’ve never been a huge fan of social media, but I recognize its importance for the success of independent artists. While great music can stand on its own, it often goes unheard without a strong social media presence. Growing up in the '90s, I miss the days when good music could sell itself. Now, it often feels like success hinges on going viral on TikTok and Instagram, which can seem forced and inauthentic. Can we please go back to those simpler times???
What is the most inspirational thing a fan, or anyone, has told or shown you about your music?
The most inspirational thing I’ve heard from a fan is when someone told me my music made them feel emotionally transported. My goal has always been to evoke feelings and create a genuine connection. Hearing that feedback reassures me that I’m achieving that aim and motivates me to keep pushing forward.
End Interview
We’re happy to have shared Pierce Merrill’s exciting journey with you and uncovered such inspiring insights about their creative process.
Now, click the links below to experience their incredible work firsthand!
Check out this latest release and listen to more of Pierce Merrill on Spotify & YouTube.
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