San Diego’s music scene continues to draw in talent from around the world to its stages, coming for both the great weather and ability to play year round, as well as enthusiastic audiences. One of the more recent transplants is singer-songwriter Bob Peace, originally from Westchester, N.Y. and now a part of the Ocean Beach arts community. Peace has only been in the area a little over a year, but has already established himself around the county as a local favorite. He next appears at the Tower Two Café on Dec. 17. “I started performing ever so slightly in college but was quite fearful to let loose,” he recalls. “Music was always ‘religious’ for me, so to speak. For example, the way that Dave Matthews Band would ecstatically jam out really struck a chord with me in the ’90s. At 21, I had a weekly thing going in Montclair, N.J., where I was living. I think I made $30 plus a meal for three hours, but you can do that sort of thing when you’re 21,” he laughed. “I took a break from playing in my late 20s and have only recently gotten back into it, I reckon I felt again like I had something to share.” He was motivated to rekindle his musical career by a pair of music documentaries.
“Recently I watched a couple Netflix movies, one on Janis Joplin and one on Muscle Shoals (studio). Those really inspired me to be honest and share what’s deepest in your heart.” He includes Jimi Hendrix as a key influence. “I love Hendrix,” he said. “He was just a true and sensitive cat. I like artists like that. Sam Cooke, 2Pac, Brad from Sublime – anyone with soul.”
While his focus is on original music, Peace’s sets include plenty of choice covers. “Anything that moves people, I like to play,” he said, pointing out Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’” and Neil Young’s “Old Man” as crowd pleasers. Though currently a solo performer, he hopes to form a group sooner than later. “I started in Vermont in 2008 with a Cajon player and a double bass – what a sound!” he enthused. “I’d love to put together a similar group out here, but right now I’m solo, with looping. I prefer playing with a band, but it’s hard to get everyone on the same page.” Peace is currently in the studio, working on what will be his first full solo album release. “I released some underground stuff during my travels circa 2010 to 2015 and an album with a group, Peace, around 2008, but for this I’m back in the studio recording professionally,” he said.
Plans for 2017 include the new album, as well as more gigging and expansion into the world of music synch / licensing / publishing is a goal.
“Basically, what’s next is just continuing to play and get better and better,” Peace said. “I’d like to kind of make my mark on the SD and SoCal scene, I suppose, following this music thing as far as it goes. I think my message is pretty darn relevant right now: Peace!”
For his part, Peace is happy to be back making music, though he acknowledges things are tougher than ever. “Everything is so messed up right now in the world, I’m just doin’ my best and I’m pretty good at it. It seems to work out,” he mused. “I’m in it for the long term, but it’s just fun, ya know? Look at the Stones, bands like that. They’re havin’ fun, they love it. That’s the point. You lose that and you’re done,” he said, good naturedly.
