Top notch, introspective songwriting ties Peter Wise's new EP Without You Here together. The seven tracks explore lots of ground, from R&B jams ("Denial") and electropop soarers ("On The Ground") to piano ballads ("Go On"). But it's a coming-of-age tale at its heart. And a good one, too. 

We spoke with Wise about his musical background, his writing process and his favorite track on the EP. Stream Without You Here exclusively on Myspace and read on. 

What was the inspiration for the EP?

I wanted to make something that was less a collection of songs — as EP’s usually are — and more a body of work that felt like a cohesive, creative whole.  The first single I released, "On The Ground," is a statement about young adulthood, and the struggle I think most people feel in transitioning out of adolescence and into one’s early twenties.  The EP as a whole reflects that struggle through the lens of an unraveling relationship.

What is your writing process like?

My writing process fluctuates a lot.  When I started out writing songs I always started with the music.  I would listen to what the music was telling me to write about, and then come up with corresponding lyrics and a melody.  I still often begin with an idea or a title and build the song around that, but I’ve found myself more and more having a lyric idea first and the adding the music.  I’d say the songs on this EP split evenly between starting with the music and starting with the lyrics.  I find it very beneficial to be continuously tinkering with the creative process, so am always working to push myself in how I piece a song together

How did "Denial" come together?

Some songs come immediately and some songs come together in parts, and "Denial" was definitely the latter.  I actually came up with the the musical idea for "Denial" a good two years ago or so.  I wanted to combine the feel of a modern, Pharrell’s inspired r&b / pop song with some Eagles / Steely Dan inspired chords and  70’s harmonies.  It took me awhile to figure out what direction to take the song, and it wasn’t until I had the title idea of “denial” that the lyrics started to take shape.  I actually wrote the lyrics in two different stints of traveling, the second of which was on a plane to Tokyo of all places, so a lot of years and a lot of miles went into the creation of “Denial”.

Do you have a favorite song on the record?

Songwriting has always been a therapeutic endeavor for me, and ultimately is the reason why I write music, so I have a pretty personal relationship with every song that sees completion.  However to answer the question, right now I would say "Go On."  It’s a song I wasn’t sure I wanted to include on the EP as it’s not the most uplifting track that’s ever been made, and doesn’t really hide what it’s saying.  But there’s a vulnerability in both the song and the production which I’ve never ventured towards, and I’m proud of the fact that it’s more blunt, more explicit, and less opaque than anything I’ve released.

What’s next for you? 

I’m celebrating my EP with a show in NYC at The Bowery Electric this Friday night.  After that I’ll be out in LA doing a couple shows, before returning to the northeast for some more shows this fall.  I’m also working on a lot of new material which I’m hoping to start releasing in the winter / spring of 2017, so stay tuned!