Up in the lush corners of the Pacific Northwest, a new voice has been building a bridge between classic house, UK garage and the cutting edge of bass. Given Peace, born Given Peace Borthwick, might be best known for his emotive club-ready tracks like ‘Down So Bad’ and ‘Marbles’, but he’s also a community builder.
When not in the studio or behind the decks, he runs the Love of House collective, hosts beat battles and workshops across Oregon and Washington, and mentors the next generation of DJs and producers He has formed a unique style, fusing “classic house with techno, UK garage and drum-and-bass influences”. With upcoming shows including headlining his own NYE festival, playing with UK garage star MPH, and a recent appearance at festivals such as Shambhala and Burningman, now felt like the perfect time to catch up with one of the Northwest’s fastest-rising artists.
Given Peace Interview:
Your discography shows a string of singles over the last few years, from ‘Down So Bad’ on The Boat House to this year’s self-released ‘itallgoesaway’. How has your approach to music evolved?
Given Peace: I started off making straightforward tech house tunes. Over time I got more comfortable blending genres and working with vocals. ‘Down So Bad’ was a turning point because it combined a driving house groove with UKG vocal chops and ended up charting on platforms like Beatport and Shazam. It was a unique moment. I usually spend a lot of time planning out the sound, writing the song, and polishing everything, but with ‘Down So Bad’ I was honestly just having a shit day. I was sleeping on a friend’s couch, and after work I just needed to make some music.
I ended up writing the whole track from start to finish in about two hours. It is my most successful song to date, which was an eye-opener, and it made me much more comfortable putting my feelings into my production. My newer tracks are more experimental, and I feel much more dynamic with my workflow. ‘itallgoesaway’ leans into a melancholic side. That track was very personal; I lost a close friend, and making it was a form of therapy. This year at Burning Man I played a set on the Crystal Ship right after the Temple burn. If you know Burning Man, the Temple is a shrine to anyone you have lost. I wrote his name inside and left items to burn.
Seeing the Temple burn and then opening my set with ‘itallgoesaway’ was one of my favorite musical moments ever.
You grew up in the Pacific Northwest and began producing electronic music about thirteen years ago. What first drew you to making beats?
I have been involved with music my whole life. My parents encouraged me to play instruments early on, but I was always more interested in composing. As a kid, I would write my own songs on blank sheet music I had printed at the library. I eventually discovered GarageBand as a teenager, and experimenting on that software opened a door for me. It was a way to express emotions I did not yet know how to verbalize. Over the years I graduated to Ableton, learned to DJ, and dove deep into the underground dance music community.
That process of discovery and emotional release still drives what I do.
Your sound is a fusion of classic house, techno, UK garage and drum-and-bass. What influences shaped the “Given Peace sound”?
Given Peace: I am very influenced by UK-influenced sounds: grime, drill, garage, UK rap. Growing up I listened to everything from jazz to punk, but when I found garage and 2-step I fell in love with the swing and the energy. I also love techno’s precision and drum and bass for its intensity.
My sets often move between genres because the most exciting music feels alive and unpredictable. I love house music, and some of my favorite tracks I have made are four on the floor, but for my sets I feel it is important to move around a bit. From a selfish standpoint, I enjoy mixing different genres more because it keeps me on my toes when I am DJing. I also really love producing bass music, especially the more heady flavors, and it is a lot of fun to drop those into a set.
You’re not just a producer; you also founded Love of House, an underground collective that has become a driving force in the Pacific Northwest. What inspired you to start that?
Given Peace: The short answer is community. I noticed there were tons of talented producers and DJs around Portland, Seattle, and Bellingham who did not have many places to play. In 2023 I threw a small party under the name Love of House, and it grew into a series of events up and down the West Coast.
We have partnered with crews in Canada, held parties from San Diego to Bellingham, and even performed at festivals. We also run a weekly beat battle where producers can share works in progress, and we host workshops on music production, consent, and nightlife safety. It is about more than the party. It is about building a supportive network that cares about art and each other.
You recently performed at Shambhala and have a big night coming up supporting MPH. How does it feel to be representing the Love of House on those stages?
Given Peace: Shambhala was a dream. I have been going to that festival for years, and getting to play the Riverside stage and share my music with that crowd was surreal. The energy at Canadian festivals is unmatched. For the upcoming show, I am stoked. MPH is one of the artists pushing UK garage forward right now. I am stoked to have PAV4N MC for me. He is formerly of Foreign Beggars, which was one of my favorite groups, and he is an absolute legend. The show is November 29 at The Den in Portland.
Love of House has branched into a sister organization called Love of Bass. What’s the vision behind that?
Given Peace: A lot of us in the collective love bass music as much as house music, so expanding felt natural. Love of Bass gives us a banner to throw events that focus on 140, drum and bass, jungle, and halftime. The goal is the same: create safe, inclusive spaces where people can dance and local talent can shine.
We’re also planning to launch a label under the Love of House umbrella in 2026 to release music from our community.
You’ve mentioned that music is more than entertainment; it’s a way of life and a form of community. How do you maintain that ethos as your career grows?
Given Peace: Staying grounded is key. I still attend local shows, mentor young producers, and learn from others. The community element keeps me motivated when things get hectic. Many of my friends are artists, promoters, or fans who are not afraid to tell me when I am off track. Being part of a scene means showing up for others, whether that is teaching a workshop on consent or playing a benefit event. If the music stops being about connection, I am not interested.
What advice would you give to aspiring producers who want to break into the UKG/house scene?
Given Peace: Do not be afraid to experiment. UKG thrives on swing and unpredictability, so learn the rules and then break them. Finish songs even if they are not perfect because the more you finish, the faster you grow. Find a community, whether online or in person, and surround yourself with people who inspire you. And finally, have fun. It is dance music, it is supposed to feel good.
What’s next for Given Peace in 2026?
Given Peace: : A lot is in the pipeline. I am finishing an EP that blends UKG, drum and bass, and bass music with some exciting features. I am also collaborating with PNW vocalists and working on remixes for artists I admire. On the community side, we plan to expand our Love of House festival takeovers with daytime workshops and nighttime parties. I am grateful to keep doing what I love and to share it with people. See you on the dance floor.
