Why I’m Excited to Bring Pierce Crask to Wesley’s Place

(and Why You’ll Want to Hear Him Live)

There are some artists who sound good on a recording, and then there are artists who feel like they were made for a listening room. The kind of performer who can walk onstage with a guitar, start a song, and have the whole room leaning in within a minute.

That is exactly why I am so excited that Pierce Crask is coming to Wesley’s Place on Friday, January 9.

When I asked Pierce to describe his live show in three words, he didn’t hesitate. He said it is “Dynamic, heartfelt, entertaining.” That is a pretty perfect description of what I hope every Wesley’s Place concert feels like. I want people to walk in, take a breath, settle into the room, and have a night that feels both meaningful and fun.

One of the things I loved most about Pierce’s answers is how he thinks about the audience. I asked him what he has learned over the years about connecting with people in the room, and he said, “I’ve learned that if you put expressing yourself to an audience above impressing an audience, you have a much greater chance of connecting with them.” That is exactly the kind of artist we want to host. Not someone trying to show off, but someone trying to share something real.

Pierce’s songs often begin the same way life does, with ordinary moments that turn into something more. When I asked where his songs start, he told me, “My songs usually start with actual life events. The title song on ‘Rising River’, for example, was inspired by a flood in my basement. ‘Well Crap, My Basement Flooded’ didn’t make for a very interesting song, but it set me on my way to ‘Rising River’!” That made me laugh, but it also made me think, because it says a lot about his writing. He can start with something frustrating and everyday, then shape it into a song that carries meaning.

I also asked which song is getting the biggest reaction in his set right now, and he said it is “Butterfly Song.” Pierce described it as “a very simple, direct and succinct song with a clear message people seem to really relate to.” I love that. Sometimes the simplest songs are the ones that land the hardest, especially when the room is quiet enough to hear every word.

Pierce is also the kind of musician who cares deeply about the experience of a live show. I asked what he hopes people feel when they walk out the door, and he said, “I hope people leave the show feeling they got their money’s worth; that I gave them the best show I possibly could; and they’ve been able to escape the insane world on the other side of the venue door for a little while.” That is one of the best descriptions I have heard of what a great concert can do. For a couple of hours, you get to step out of the noise and back into something human.

One reason I think Wesley’s Place is a great fit for Pierce is that he loves what a listening room allows. He told me, “Because it’s a listening crowd in a quiet room, you can throw in subtle nuances to your performance that would be lost otherwise. That makes for an unbeatable experience for both listener and artist!” That is the whole point for me. The best nights at Wesley’s Place are the ones where you can feel the connection in the room, where the songs are not competing with anything else.

And here is something special about this show. Pierce said he is excited because it gives him a rare opportunity to bring out some of his vintage instruments. He told me, “I’ll have a couple Martins and Gibsons from the 20’s and 30’s as well as my steel guitar.” Many of our regulars love the sound and character of older instruments.

Pierce wrapped up his invitation with a line that made me smile. He said, “Don’t fret, Netflix will still be there when you get back home!” He is right, of course. And I think this is exactly the kind of show that will make you glad you left the couch.

If you love good lyrics, strong musicianship, and a performer who can make you laugh and feel something real in the same set, I hope you will get off the couch on January 9.

Pierce Crask at Wesley’s Place

Friday, January 9

Doors 6:30 PM | Music 7:00 PM

Tickets online and at the door

$20 suggested donation for adults

Save $2 online with code EARLYBIRD at checkout