The man known on stage as Peter Turns Pirate (PTP) has carved out an interesting the career with his music and music-related endeavours.
Not only has Reed gained respect from the music industry, but has done so at his own pace. And he is extremely optimistic about his future.
“I’ve had several big shows recently. I am scheduled for two very big one’s coming up,” said Reed. “On June 17, I’ll be at North by Northeast in Toronto and then I’ll head to Gothfest in Montreal the next day. Those are two big festivals and it’s a huge deal to be invited.”
Reed has always loved music but it was an invitation from some friends in high school to join a band to perform at an Orillia District Collegiate and Vocational Institute Battle of the Bands. Admittedly, the quiet type until you get to know him, Reed believes his buddies saw his extroverted side and knew he’d be right for lead vocals.
“I’ve always been the guy who likes to perform, but you probably wouldn’t know it unless you really know me or came to a show,” said Reed. “Once I’m on stage though it really comes out and it just feels natural.”
From 2000 to 2008, Reed performed in the local band No Data. During his time in the band, he started working on his solo project PTP. Having already been doing the majority of writing in the band, it was a natural progression to working as a solo act. When you grow up on the outskirts of town on a farm, there really is only one place to practice and record: the old family barn.
“It was my own recording studio and production center,” said Reed. “I could get away from all the noise and distraction and just focus on creating. I have so much equipment that I taught myself to use. I never went to school for any of it, but instead just read manuals over and over and practiced in that barn. The only bad part was working so much that I'd fall asleep out there. I would wake up in the middle of the night in a creepy barn and having to walk through it to shut everything off.”
Although PTP's music is classified as Industrial, Reed believes that some of his success is due to his past with other genres like metal. Although Reed enjoys all good music, his influences for PTP are often surprisingly different.
“First and foremost, Michael Jackson is the greatest stage performer ever and I definitely take from his art,” said Reed. “Jackson was very particular about every sound, move and moment he made; there was a perfection to it and I really like that. It’s the same as Nine Inch Nails. You may think they’re different because of musical sound, but both perfected their art through constant practice and meticulousness.” Reed also cites the influential Canadian industrial band Skinny Puppy as a huge influence.
Surprisingly, the biggest contrast may not be in Reed’s musical taste and inspiration for his music, but rather his off stage persona. While on stage, PTP is a loud, highly entertaining, music-meets-lights show. But screaming fans and dark night clubs are all left behind once the show is over and it’s time to go home.
Reed and his long time love Laura have been together for 16 years. They have been married for four. The couple became each other's first love while working at an Orillia establishment. They now have one young son and another baby on the way.
“She is what keeps me grounded,” said Reed. “Not that I’d be a heavy partier or doing crazy things anyway, but Laura is definitely the straight-laced voice of reason. She’s very supportive of all that I do and her voice is even heard on some of my songs.”
Recently, Laura displayed her great support for Neal when he realized it was time to follow another dream: starting his own business.
Reed previously worked a warehouse night job on the side for the last five and half years. Reed realized that in order to spend more time with family, focus on his musical passion and improve his mental health, he would have change jobs.
“That place was the worst,” said Reed. "I mean, we all at times hate our jobs. When it’s poorly managed and you’re there all hours of the night and morning because of it, you realize you’re in a dead-end job and it’s time to get out.”
That’s where Side FX Entertainment came in. The newly started company provides services such as a disc jockey for events, videography and an equipment rental. It was a natural move as Reed already had most of the equipment needed for the business.
“I started it up in November and have already filmed some videos for bands,” said Reed. "I’ve got all the equipment, smoke machines, Moog synthesizers, Kaoss Pad, you name it I pretty much have it. I even film real estate home tours. I use so much of the equipment in my PTP shows over the years that it was a natural to transition to this.”
Despite starting up a business and taking a chance in the entrepreneurial world, Reed will keep on performing and creating for PTP.
As a new dad, husband and business owner, one might think that any new material for his upcoming fifth album would be less aggressive and more relaxed. But then that wouldn’t work with the interesting anomaly that is Neal Reed.
“This next album is going to be heavier than the others,” said Reed. “Heavier and better production.”
Peter Turns Pirate will be heading to the U.S. in September for a 16-show tour.
