We recently connected with Piera Klein and have shared our conversation below.

Piera, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I’ve been immersed in creative expression for as long as I can remember. Since early childhood, I was drawn to the arts—singing, dancing, drawing, painting, acting, and writing songs on guitar and piano. At seven, I was invited to sing on a children’s album, and even at that young age, something about being in the studio left a lasting impression. But I didn’t take it too seriously at the time—I was also a competitive gymnast training for the Junior Olympics and a strong student. With so many interests, it was hard to know which path to follow.

Still, music was always my anchor. No matter what was happening in my life, I’d find myself journaling and writing songs—strumming my dad’s old acoustic guitar tucked away in my bedroom, or getting lost in the keys of the family piano. In high school, that became my form of self-expression and escape. But I also felt overwhelmed—uncertain about what I should focus on as a career path and unaware of the paths available to me.

After high school, I took time to explore the world and serve in a global humanitarian and mission-based organization in Europe and Asia—experiences that deepened my connection to human stories and gave me new perspective. And guess what – I brought my guitar and would play and perform when asked. Eventually, my path led me back to music. There was a moment when I came back, that I thought I should either enroll in a film school or dive straight into music. The answer came when, through a series of serendipitous events and providential unfoldings and was subsequently invited to sing several songs with a major songwriting team for network placements. All the songs were featured on well known shows like General Hospital, One Life to Live, and Greek, and shows on Soap.net. That experience gave me the encouragement I needed. I knew the next step was to venture out on my own as an artists and embrace all my creative talents – not just as a singer, but as a songwriter, and fledgling producer.

Simultaneously, I was deeply immersed in media production—hosting and producing over 150 shows for a nonprofit satellite radio network with a global audience. That work helped me understand my passion for connecting with humanity on a larger scale. By the time I released my indie debut album in 2019, I had already spent years building the foundation—writing, performing, producing, and telling stories across different platforms.

Looking back, I see now that I followed opportunities that allowed me to use my talents. Every song, every show, every collaboration was a step closer to claiming my identity as an artist. The journey wasn’t linear, but it was always leading here, and to this day, I’m still on that journey…

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Piera Klein—artist, producer, and co-creator of the dark electronic synth-pop duo PIERA, based in Downtown Los Angeles. Our music blends vintage synthesizers with modern electronic textures to create expansive, cinematic soundscapes rooted in emotional depth and sonic exploration. Alongside my collaborator Micah Plissner, we strive to create work that doesn’t just entertain, but stirs something deeper—a visceral, emotional, and often unspoken connection to the shared human experience.

My journey as an artist began early—I first stepped into a recording studio at a young age to sing on a children’s record, and shortly after I was writing my own songs. Before launching my career as an independent artist, I had the opportunity to collaborate with an Emmy Award-winning songwriting team, contributing vocals to network television shows like General Hospital and One Life to Live. These early experiences affirmed my belief in the transformative power of music.

PIERA’s work lives in the space between the seen and unseen. Influenced by artists like Jean Michel Jarre, Björk, Kraftwerk, and Radiohead, we’re drawn to sound as a medium for both intimacy and scale—often stepping outside of traditional pop structure to create immersive, theatrical compositions. Our debut album climbed to #1 on the RMR Charts and received airplay on over 50 college radio stations. We’ve since performed alongside some of the most iconic names in 80s synth—BERLIN, Oingo Boingo, A Flock of Seagulls—and continue to evolve our sound through new releases like “Hide Your Body.”

But beyond the sonic realm, my artistic mission is about awakening. I believe in art as a catalyst for expanding awareness—what I call “arousing our consciousness.” In a time of disconnection and distraction, music can still reach that sacred space where we remember our shared humanity. That’s what drives me: to create work that reminds people they are not alone in their feelings, their fears, their longing. We’re here, together, wired for connection, and music is one of the purest ways we remember that.

Outside of music, I’m also deeply committed to social impact through my work with Visionary Women, a nonprofit spotlighting female changemakers and driving conversations around leadership and justice.

For me, art isn’t a side project—it’s a way of life, a vehicle for truth, beauty, and transformation.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

FREEDOM. Freedom to create. Freedom to explore. Freedom to make mistakes. Freedom to own my achievements. Freedom to express my emotions in public. Freedom is like oxygen, and when you use it for self-expression and feel the resonance of others, it’s pure alchemy. Something happens in room. Something transformative: there’s a merging of kindred spirits, a sense of unity among like-hearted souls. In those moments, art becomes more than just creation-it becomes a shared experience, and that is truly beautiful.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Artists need uninterrupted time and space to cultivate their talents and deepen their craft. I wholeheartedly support public spaces—whether community centers or residency-based venues—that provide safe, accessible opportunities for artistic growth.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pieramusic.net
• Instagram: @piera.music
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPSWTyHfVlj5ska7izX60nw?view_as=subscriber

Image Credits

Black and white images taken by Cameron Dunbar at PIERA’s loft in DTLA.
Color images taken by Lindsay Best at PIERA’s loft in DTLA.