Louis Brice is a self-proclaimed "pop" artist who isn't insulted by the title.In fact, he said he is drawn to the pop genre because of its

ability to reach a large demographic.

At Brice's performance tonight at Hot Topic in the Nittany Mall, 2901 E. College Ave., he will attempt to reach the State College demographic for the first time.

Brice, 21, began writing pop music in high school, and he said the sincerity in his music makes it worthwhile.

"I do it because I love doing it," he said. "That sincerity shines through."

Hot Topic employee Neil Curtis said he would never classify Brice as a pop artist. The young musician shows different characteristics from some of the big names of the genre, he said.

"It's not fluff like Justin Timberlake," Curtis said. "There's substance to it."

But for Brice, music is not about which category it fits into.

"It's about reaching people and the emotional impact you can have on just one person," he said. "I do what I do, and I do it in the best way I can."

Originally from Quakertown, Brice grew up in a rather musical home. His father is a pianist and songwriter, which was definitely a major influence on him, Brice said. Stacy Middletown, Brice's mother, compares her son's musical style to Billy Joel's.

"Louis was always artsy," Middleton said. "He lives and breathes music. If Louis was on the phone, he would have one hand on the phone and the other playing the piano."

Brice said he loves the sound of the keys and calls the piano "a therapeutic instrument." He's taught himself to play by ear.

"It feels really nice to sit down and play, " he said.

Although Brice is self taught, Middletown says she witnessed her son grow as an artist after attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston. She said that in his time at the institution he learned how the industry works and became a much better songwriter.

Professor Livingston Taylor, one of Brice's former professors and musical influences, also saw Brice's growth when he had Brice in a stage performance class at Berklee.

"Brice is a strong force on stage -- he was a terrific student," said Taylor. "In my class, he became aware of his surroundings onstage."

Brice agreed that attending Berklee was a huge event for him. Taylor convinced him that although pop artists may be looked down upon for being part of the mainstream, few can deny that it's the easiest way for an artist to reach a large demographic.

But Brice isn't prejudiced -- he said he respects artists who choose to stay away from the mainstream and pursue their careers without the help of a major label.

So far, Brice is happy with where his career stands. He said although he has been booking a lot of shows recently, he would love to share his music on a larger scale some day.

"I want a full stadium of people, more into my music than I am," he said.

Hot Topic may be a smaller venue, but Curtis says he hopes

a lot of people come out for the event.

"The metaphors he uses are very intelligent," Curtis said. "He is the type of person you would see at a jazz or dive bar."