Debut EP from Pierre-Stéphane

Hailing from Ottawa, producer and singer-songwriter Pierre-Stéphane has spent more than a decade developing his own unique musical vision. An artist with an knack for crossing stylistic boundaries, he draws equally from rock and hip hop, creating music that reflects both influences while offering a sound that’s entirely his own. Away from the studio, his everyday life is based in construction, working as a glazier, a profession that’s become just as important to his creative outlook as the records that first inspired him.

Pierre-Stéphane allows both his artistic and professional worlds to inform one another, transforming the glass, steel and architecture he encounters each day into unexpected creative fuel and that balance between craftsmanship and creativity sits at the heart of everything he does. His influences stretch from the guitar-driven innovation of Jimi Hendrix to the lyrical flair of Jay-Z, combining two musical styles that shape his own perspective, bringing them together in search of a sound where expressive guitar work and hip hop impact can overlap within the same musical space.

Alongside the demands of construction work, paying rent, practising guitar and continuing to write songs, he’s built his own voice through sheer determination. During a trip to Toronto, he installed a glass door at the CN Tower while also taking the opportunity to immerse himself in the city’s music community, an experience that perfectly captures the context that continues to shape his career. Live performance has also played a role in influencing his development, with appearances across Toronto’s open mic circuit providing opportunities to test out his material in front of audiences.

Those experiences, combined with years of songwriting, have helped him build the confidence to pursue a sound that’s showcased on his debut EP titled GLASS. Entirely written and produced by Pierre-Stéphane himself, the project serves as both an introduction to his musical world and a highly personal document of a significant turning point in his life. Recorded inside a small townhouse in South Ottawa after being forced to leave his parents’ home, the EP distils the uncertainty and emotional side of building independence while continuing to chase artistic ambitions.

GLASS embraces complete honesty, with the five tracks reflecting the pressures of work, the complexities of relationships and the ongoing process of personal growth, creating a scene shaped by real-life challenges. The title itself feels particularly fitting; glass is both a material Pierre-Stéphane works with professionally and an image that reflects the themes running throughout the EP. Transparent yet strong, fragile yet capable of supporting towering structures, it mirrors the contradictions of the experiences documented across the record.

Kicked off by “Hot Girls,” the bounce of piano, tapped percussive shots, swirl of hazy textures and vocalisations is met by Pierre-Stéphane’s soulful leads to set up a grooving jam that develops with bright brass pips and steady rhythmic punch. Slipping into rap flow, his voice rolls above the colourful arrangement to craft an engaging musical experience that’s memorable and original in equal measure. “The Birds” is counted into a jaunty piano-led sound that glides with breezy rhythmic sway as smooth vocals float above the intricate flicker of guitar and pulse of drums to deliver a charming musical moment.

“Monster” begins with an intense vocal sample of Samuel L. Jackson’s famous Snakes on a Plane line before progressing with slick guitar rhythms and Pierre-Stéphane’s compelling vocal leads, building into a lively slice of bluesy, psych-tinged indie rock music. “Nineveh” floats with woozy guitar chords and warm bass notes as alluring vocal leads drift above, framing his poignant songwriting in a delicate setting.

Closing the EP with “Trust,” the pulse of popping bass and gliding synth textures is met by rustling percussion and overlapping vocal layers, leaning into a moody alternative R&B soundscape to present an infectious finale to Pierre-Stéphane’s incredible debut EP. With GLASS, Pierre-Stéphane confirms his status as an artist able to bring together various musical styles, offering listeners an honest portrait of strength, independence and the determination to build something meaningful on his own terms.

Listen to GLASS below