Meet Pierce Murphy | Musician and Graphic Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Pierce Murphy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pierce, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I think on one hand it’s an undeniable compulsion. You’re kind of afflicted with creativity as much as blessed. But it felt like a duty, also. David Bowie once said in an interview that he felt like he wanted to contribute to the culture that he operated in. The loudest voices in our culture are often not creative, or not purely so. We’re generally not driven by humanity, but by profit and profitability. And that mentality dominates so much our our way of life. I want to be a part of the alternative conversations. One that has the ability to consider things beyond their monetary potential. To hold up and help entirely different systems of value to thrive. Money is a fine tool, but if it’s your god, you’re gonna see some pretty serious problems surface.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My mind races almost constantly and I find inspiration in everything. And I’m very nearly obsessive in my ability to focus, meaning I work fast and thoroughly. And though these don’t sound like artistic concepts exactly, they yield them in my experience. Being curious, eager to be wrong, and to embrace the unknown has been central to my progress as an artist.

And that mentality has opened a lot of doors. I have a pretty large and diverse skill set just out of the curiosity it takes to thoroughly explore the things I love. That’s provided me some really interesting opportunities that others might not have been able to manage. Now, am I killing the game? Not exactly. I’m too preoccupied with enjoying myself. Hustling has never been a strong suit. But I’m very happy with where I find myself today, and the future seems bright on all fronts.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love Middleman, the cocktail bar on Colfax and Cook St. In fact, it’s where my wife and I had our little Covid friendly wedding celebration. The people there are as lovely as the drinks, and Bo at Misfit Snack Bar housed within Middleman is easily one of the best chefs in the city. Then we’d have to go check out anywhere that serves Sweet Bloom Coffee, cus it’s probably the most amazing cup you can get in this country. Cheeseman Park is a great spot for a picnic and hang, and I really love the Arvada Center for shows (though, full disclosure: I work as their in-house creative content designer, so I’m a little biased). For music, anywhere Ramakhandra or the O’Connor Brothers Band are playing, I’d be there (again, disclosure: these are friends and collaborators, but they’re also just a damn good time). Also Dazzle and Nocturne constantly host the absolute best jazz the city has to offer, which is very near and dear to me. And to round things out, the Museum of Contemporary Art is such a beautiful, community minded place. They bring in world class artists and exhibitions, and they do right by the city and her people.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My main shoutout should definitely go to my wife, Sameera Ahmed. She’s an extraordinarily skilled commercial makeup artist, esthetician, creative, and business person. She’s helped me find inroads into a culture and climate I didn’t understand and showed me ways I can be true to myself while working with the structures I want to change and effecting that change from within. She’s helped my hone my crafts, taught me skills I didn’t have, and provided a kind of support and love I could never have imagined without her. She’s a consummate inspiration to me and so many others who know her.

Additionally, my family is unendingly supportive and inspirational, and I’ve benefited from learning from some of the finest artists I could have ever asked for, many of whom I work with regularly today. I feel so much gratitude for the people that I’ve known–very nearly all of them, really–for helping me to become who I am.

Website: piercemurphymusic.com

Instagram: @piercemurphy

Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/712KKX3mjkTVHUtdXS5sQn?si=z7mGy2EtRMCFl07bBTtdQg&dl_branch=1