Two longtime, and powerful voices in the Los Angeles music community came together at The SoCal Sound studios for a live on-air interview and performance on More Music In The Morning with Nic Harcourt + Jet. Chris Pierce and Garrison Starr came in ahead of their co-headlining show at The Troubadour to chat and perform songs that speak loudly and directly to the moment we’re living in.

Starting off the conversation, Nic Harcourt remembers back to the Los Angeles wild fire benefit concert where the two had performed together, along side many many other Los Angeles musicians, in order to raise funds for those affected by the wild fires earlier in the year. An important theme that has been getting carried within their music, and largely the whole region, is the ability for this particular location to be a place of acceptance and creative refuge. While often misunderstood from outside, Southern California has long been a city where artists can thrive, find community, and begin again. That also carried into their show they went onto play at The Troubadour.
Pierce starts the performance with “American Silence”, which is a song that was originally released in 2021 that continues to resonate and call for awareness and collective responsibility. Chris often speaks of the importance of amplifying independent voices at a time when opportunities for artists and venues are increasingly becoming limited. For Chris, live music is all about bringing people together, sharing perspectives, and reminding listeners that community matters!
Garrison Starr followed that performance with a performance of “Better Day”, in an intimate acoustic setting. shared how opening about her personal history—once something she felt unable to talk about—has become a source of connection with audiences. She also reflects that telling her story with honesty and compassion, the audience can see themselves within her stories, and able to create a moment of shared understanding and healing.
Closing the session, there was a very special performance of “The Dark End of the Street” that featured both Pierce and Starr singing it as a duet, which underscored the intimacy and emotional weight of the morning, all live on-air. This was a reminder of what live music on The SoCal Sound does best:: spotlight independent artists, foster connection, and amplify a community of songwriters and audiences embrace stories that bring us closer together.

Chris Pierce will be playing an evening with Astrid Young in Solvang, CA on Jan 25, 2026; for more information click this link: https://www.chrispierce.com/tour.html
and to keep up with when Garrison Starr will be playing southern California soon, visit her website by clicking this link: https://www.garrisonstarr.com/

Support The SoCal Sound & The SoCal Sound Sessions
Your clicks, comments, and subscriptions not only boost these artists—it also helps The SoCal Sound grow our reach and continue showcasing what makes this music community so vibrant.

Stay Connected with The SoCal Sound
Stream this full session on TheSoCalSound.org or through the free SoCal Sound app—now Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible. Don’t miss future sessions: sign up for our email newsletter for exclusive content, ticket giveaways, and station updates.
- · Filmed & Edited & Photographed by Matt Blake
- · Audio by Tristan Dolce
- · Host: Nic Harcourt
The SoCal Sound is member-supported public radio. Your support keeps sessions like this on the air and online.







