Chris Pierce draws on a deeply soulful vocal approach reminiscent of classic stylists such as Donny Hathaway and Bill Withers while maintaining an easygoing, primarily acoustic approach that aligns with fellow contemporary singer-songwriters including John Mayer and Jack Johnson, thereby bridging multiple eras of music. A native of Los Angeles, Pierce toiled as an up-and-coming local performer until crossing paths with Seal during a 2004 living-room performance, after which he received an invitation to serve as the opening act for the British artist’s global tour. Static Trampoline appeared as his first studio release in 2005, with the Japan-exclusive live set Music in the Moment arriving the following year. Seeking wider exposure, Pierce began licensing material to television programs such as Grey’s Anatomy and What About Brian as well as to advertising spots, supplementing these placements with consistent concert activity and mounting online interest alongside airplay on adult-album-alternative outlets including southern California’s KCRW. His next studio effort, Walking on the Earth, reached listeners in spring 2008.
