Broken Prism Studios

This report focuses on the contemporary musician Isaac Pierce and his musical project, Ten-Speed Music. It aims to provide a comprehensive overview of their work, drawing from the available research.

The Connection Between Isaac Pierce and Ten-Speed Music

Isaac Pierce is a musician whose artistic endeavors are often presented under the name Ten-Speed Music.¹ While sometimes appearing as a solo act, Ten-Speed Music also expands to include collaborations with other musicians in live performances.¹ The 2012 EP titled “(https://open.spotify.com/album/7H66DmZlMEEDdifEtC1sym?si=VO2TVkDRQOutZo2zkfHDsw)” ³ and the song “Snow-Plow Song,” performed by Isaac Pierce “in the Ten-Speed Music style” ³, clearly establish this connection. Online platforms such as Bandcamp, Apple Music, and SoundCloud often list releases under both names, indicating they are closely intertwined.³

Musical Genre and Style

The music of Ten-Speed Music is described as “spectral, folk-rock”.¹ This blend suggests a foundation in folk traditions with the energy of rock music, further characterized by an ethereal or atmospheric “spectral” quality.¹ Lyrically, the work is described as “your own abstracted autobiography,” hinting at personal themes explored in a metaphorical or less direct manner.¹ One reviewer noted Isaac Pierce’s vocals as “soothing until they’re haunting,” which aligns with the “spectral” aspect of their sound.³ Robert Sarazin Blake describes the music as having a “wistful howl” that connects the artist’s inspiration with his craft.¹

Key Personnel and Collaborators

Isaac Pierce is the central figure behind Ten-Speed Music.¹ Live performances often feature collaborations with musicians such as Ben Sutter, Sun Mor, and Lauren Joyce.¹ Luna Pierce is also credited with additional lyric support on the song “Snow-Plow Song”.³

Discography and Notable Tracks

The discography includes a self-titled EP, “(https://open.spotify.com/album/7H66DmZlMEEDdifEtC1sym?si=VO2TVkDRQOutZo2zkfHDsw),” released in 2012.³ The song “Snow-Plow Song” is a notable track available on various platforms.³ Apple Music lists the album “Soft Rush of Days” (2016) and the “Ten-Speed Music – EP” (2012) under the artist name “Ten-Speed Music,” both featuring Isaac Pierce.⁶ Additionally, Apple Music features an artist named “Isaac Pierce” with the EP “You’re Awake, You’re Beautiful” (2012) and the album “Ike – Some Kind of View” (2022).⁷ The track “Holding Back the River (feat. Isaac Pierce)” appears on the “Soft Rush of Days” album under the “Ten-Speed Music” artist profile.⁶

Live Performances and Online Presence

Ten-Speed Music and Isaac Pierce actively perform live. Upcoming shows include performances at The Waypost in Portland on April 6, 2025 ¹, with an early show featuring Heligoats and Isaac Pierce on the same date.⁸ Past performances include a show at Conor Byrne in Seattle.⁵ Another upcoming show is scheduled at The Raccoon Motel in Davenport, Iowa, on July 10th, featuring The Heligoats and Ten-Speed Music.² Isaac Pierce is also listed as performing at The Burlington in Chicago on July 8th.¹⁰ Online, Isaac Pierce/Ten-Speed Music can be found on Bandcamp (https://tenspeedmusic.bandcamp.com/) ¹, Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ten-speed-music/1511227693) ³, and SoundCloud (https://soundcloud.com/tenspeedmusic).³ A YouTube channel is also mentioned.³

Meaning of “Ten-Speed Music”

The name “Ten-Speed Music” likely references a ten-speed bicycle, suggesting versatility and adaptability.¹¹ While “ten-speed” isn’t a standard musical tempo, the number ten might imply a moderate or versatile pace.¹⁴ The band Coheed and Cambria has a song titled “Ten Speed” which uses bicycle imagery metaphorically.¹⁷ There is also an unrelated Irish band called “Ten Speed Racer”.¹² Ultimately, the specific reason for the name remains open to interpretation, possibly chosen for its sound, imagery, or personal significance to Isaac Pierce.

Critical Reception

Early reception of Ten-Speed Music appears positive. The 2012 EP was described as having “seductive stripped-down cerebral folk magic”.³ Robert Sarazin Blake praised the songwriting and the connection between Isaac Pierce’s artistic inspiration and musical output.¹

Conclusion

Ten-Speed Music is the musical project of Isaac Pierce, characterized by its “spectral folk-rock” sound and introspective lyrics. With a history spanning over a decade and a presence in both live performances and online platforms, Isaac Pierce continues to evolve his musical expression through Ten-Speed Music.

Works cited

1. Ten-Speed Music Portland Tickets, The Waypost Apr 06, 2025 …, accessed May 14, 2025, https://www.bandsintown.com/e/106628472-ten-speed-music-at-the-waypost?came_from=253&utm_medium=web&utm_source=city_page&utm_campaign=event
2. The Heligoats & ten-speed music @ The Racoon Motel – WQAD-TV Events, accessed May 14, 2025, https://www.wqad.com/events-calendar/?_evDiscoveryPath=/event/106861170n-the-heligoats-ten-speed-music-the-racoon-motel
3. ISAAC PIERCE /TEN-SPEED MUSIC – Global Texan Chronicles, accessed May 14, 2025, https://globaltexanchronicles.com/ten-speed-music/
4. Ten-Speed Music Portland Entradas, The Waypost 6 de abril de 2025 | Bandsintown, accessed May 14, 2025, https://www.bandsintown.com/es/e/106628472-ten-speed-music-at-the-waypost?came_from=209
5. Ryan Barber & The Riches, Ten-Speed Music, Jonny Gold – EverOut, accessed May 14, 2025, https://everout.com/seattle/events/ryan-barber-the-riches-ten-speed-music-jonny-gold/e61632/
6. Ten-Speed Music – Apple Music, accessed May 14, 2025, https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ten-speed-music/1511227693
7. ‎Isaac Pierce – Apple Music, accessed May 14, 2025, https://music.apple.com/us/artist/isaac-pierce/350211619
8. Heligoats & Isaac Pierce at Waypost EARLY SHOW – Sandy Post Events, accessed May 14, 2025, https://www.sandypost.com/local-events?_evDiscoveryPath=/event%2F106496199n-heligoats-isaac-pierce-at-waypost-early-show
9. Isaac Pierce – Songs, Events and Music Stats | Viberate.com, accessed May 14, 2025, https://www.viberate.com/artist/isaac-pierce/
10. Chad Price Peace Coalition // Isaac Pierce // The Heligoats // Jeff Dean Tickets | $11.33 | Jul 8 @ The Burlington, Chicago | DICE, accessed May 14, 2025, https://dice.fm/event/2wglwa-chad-price-peace-coalition-isaac-pierce-the-heligoats-jeff-dean-8th-jul-the-burlington-chicago-tickets?lng=en-US
11. The 7 Key Elements of All Music | School of Rock, accessed May 14, 2025, https://www.schoolofrock.com/resources/music-education/the-7-key-elements-of-all-music
12. Ten Speed Racer Biography, accessed May 14, 2025, http://irishmusicdb.com/t/tenspeedracer/tsr_biography.htm
13. David Berchtold – Biogrophay, accessed May 14, 2025, https://davidberchtold.com/david-berchtold-biogrophay/
14. How do musicians know how fast to play a piece? And why are the terms in Italian? | Symphony Nova Scotia, accessed May 14, 2025, https://symphonynovascotia.ca/faqs/symphony-101/how-do-musicians-know-how-fast-to-play-a-piece-and-why-are-the-terms-in-italian/
15. Tempo – Wikipedia, accessed May 14, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempo
16. What tempo marking would you call this? : r/musictheory – Reddit, accessed May 14, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/musictheory/comments/1475i63/what_tempo_marking_would_you_call_this/
17. r/coheed’s Song of the Day #24: Ten Speed(Of God’s Blood & Burial) – Reddit, accessed May 14, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/coheedandcambria/comments/1alwkz/rcoheeds_song_of_the_day_24_ten_speedof_gods/
18. Travis Stever – Wikipedia, accessed May 14, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travis_Stever
19. Daily reminder that Ten Speed is a song about a bicycle giving a depressed dude writing advice. : r/TheFence – Reddit, accessed May 14, 2025, https://www.reddit.com/r/TheFence/comments/prlgvs/daily_reminder_that_ten_speed_is_a_song_about_a/
20. Ten Speed Racer, accessed May 14, 2025, http://irishmusicdb.com/t/tenspeedracer/main.htm