Peter Argyropoulos, better known by his stage name Pete RG, is an American singer-songwriter and producer based in Los Angeles. After being the lead singer and principal songwriter of the band Last December, he embarked upon a solo career. Since then, he has recorded and released an LP and two EPs. All were met with positive reviews. He is also the founder of 4L Entertainment.
Pete RG | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Peter Argyropoulos |
| Born | Los Angeles |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Labels | 4L Entertainment |
| Members |
|
| Website | pete-rg |
Early life
editPete RG's father, James Argyropoulos, grew up in a small village in the mountains of Southern Greece. He emigrated to the United States along with his parents and siblings when he was a teen. Pete grew up in Venice Beach, Los Angeles.[1] He learned music from his parents, who were aspiring musicians in the 1960s and 1970s. He grew up singing, playing drums, clarinet and keyboards. In his senior year of high school, Pete RG began playing guitar.[2]
While at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pete formed a cover band where he sang and played guitar.[3] During his first year, he wrote his first song, called The Sun Does Rise.[2]
Last December
editIn 1998, RG formed Los Angeles-based indie pop/Americana band Last December.[4] He was the principal songwriter, lead singer and bandleader.[5] The band's members included lead guitarist Jason Koehler, bassist Adam Kury and drummer Scotty Kormos. Their debut album Without Wings followed in the fall of 1999.[6] They signed with a major label and had different sessions with different producers.[3]
In 2007, Last December teamed up with producer-engineer Brian Malouf to co-produce their acclaimed 2007 full-length album Hailstorm. Even with the band's success, Argyropoulos began writing new songs for a solo project beginning in 2003.[7] After the band drifted apart in 2007, he started producing different acts as well as writing music for television.[3]
Solo career
editPete RG broke out as a solo artist in 2013. His name is Peter Argyropoulos, but since he was called "Argy" as a kid, he decided to use the artistic name Pete RG.[2] His debut full-length album as Pete RG was New Eyes.[8] It was described as "plucky fits of banjo, understated rhythms, and Pete's coffee coated vocals."[9] New Eyes was co-produced by producer and engineer Brina Kabler, RG's musical partner, who would go on to co-produce his next EPs.[10]
Lightning Strikes
editOn February 10, 2015, RG released the EP Lightning Strikes. A collection of six songs, the EP was preceded by a lyric video for the single Still Here. The song was described as having "a country edge to it while producing a U2-esque vibe".[5][11]
Lightning Strikes was recorded and mixed primarily at RG's personal studio in Santa Monica. Additional tracking and mixing was done by engineer Brian Scheuble, who worked with such acts as U2, Elton John and Sheryl Crow.[12]
The EP met with good reviews, which pointed out that RG is "speckled with hints of Neil Diamond, Leonard Cohen and Matt Berninger, [and] blessed to have a voice so unique, so enchanting and so captivating."[10] The reviewers noted a change in style: "leaving behind the Americana and folk stylings of New Eyes, Lightning Strikes veers more towards Pete Yorn than that of say Pete Yarrow."[10]
On March 3, 2015, RG and Kabler promoted the EP with a month and a half long tour across the U.S.[5] They were joined by Kury and Noah Lebenzon on lead guitar. Since Kormos was not able to join them, Pearl Jam's original drummer Dave Krusen was recruited and became a permanent member of the band.[12][13]
Reaching for the Moon
editThe EP Reaching for the Moon was also recorded in RG's private Santa Monica studio. This time lead guitarist Kevin Haaland was brought in to collaborate with RG, Kabler, Kury, and Krusen. The first single was called Divine.[2] All of the songs were written in the same key, the key of C, as they all began as an attempt to finish the same song, Our Escape.[14] Co-produced and engineered by Brina Kabler, the EP was released on October 9, 2015.[15]
With a "soulful and rustic rock sound [celebrating] the splendor of life, it is five tracks of pure sonic goodness."[16] It was described as "energetic, yearning rock based around ringing guitars and shimmering textures",[17] "tight, danceable and at the same time really good rock n' roll",[18] and "the warmth of a troubadour brought up on the traveling spirit songs of The Boss."[19]
Pete RG himself described his sound as "indie rock in the vein of bands like The National and The War On Drugs with some Bruce Springsteen and Neil Diamond added to the mix," adding that his major influences included U2.[2]
The EP was promoted on RG's American tour from September 19 to November 14,[14] including several stops at Pianos in New York City as part of a monthlong residency.[15]
On February 23, 2016, it was announced that Pete RG will be supporting Candlebox on their Disappearing in Airports tour.[20]
RG will be releasing the LP Sentimental Fool in the summer of 2016 followed by a Fall 2016 tour.
4L Entertainment
editIn 2013, RG founded imprint, indie-rock label 4L Entertainment with former Beggars Group & Matador Records tour marketing director Alex Moreno. Both Lightning Strikes and Reaching for the Moon were released by 4L. Moreno, the label's general manager, also booked both RG's Spring and Fall 2015 tours as part of 4L's in-house tour booking division.[21]
Discography
editSingles
edit| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | "New Eyes" | |
| 2013 | "Always Christmas" | |
| 2015 | "Still Here" |
Extended plays
edit| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | New Eyes | 4L Entertainment |
| 2015 | Lightning Strikes | |
| 2015 | Reaching for the Moon |
Music videos
edit| Year | Song | Album | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | "New Eyes" |
New Eyes | Cary Gallagher |
| 2012 | "Alone" |
New Eyes | Nathan Shepherd |
| 2012 | "Hailstorm" |
New Eyes | Cary Gallagher |
| 2013 | "Always Christmas" | ||
| 2015 | "Let It All Go" |
Lightning Strikes | Simon Chan |
References
edit- ^ Alex Obert (November 29, 2015). "On The Line with Pete RG". Journey of a Frontman. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e Lilledeshan Bose (November 18, 2015). "EXCLUSIVE: Pete RG Premieres 'Divine' Lyric Video". Myspace. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
- ^ a b c Denny Dyroff (March 26, 2015). "On Stage: 'Two Funny Philly Guys' hit Phoenixville". The Unionville Times. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
- ^ "Pete RG to Release LIGHTNING STRIKES EP 2/10; Lyric Video Out Now". Music News Nashville. January 8, 2015. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
- ^ a b c Bear Frazer (November 23, 2015). "Pete RG Catches Lightning On New EP". Arena. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
- ^ Jason Ankeny. "Last December". AllMusic. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
- ^ "Pete RG: Biography". Last.fm. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
- ^ "Video premiere: "Let It All Go" by Pete RG". The Big Takeover. March 12, 2015. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
- ^ David Pitz (April 12, 2012). "Music Video Premiere: Pete RG". Baeble Music. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
- ^ a b c Gregory Robson (February 10, 2015). "Pete RG – Lightning Strikes EP". Absolute Punk. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
- ^ Michael Haskoor (January 8, 2015). "Listen to Pete RG's 'Still Here' From Upcoming 'Lightning Strikes' EP". Diffuser. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
- ^ a b Dan Harr (January 8, 2015). "Pete RG releasing 'Lightning Strikes' EP Feb. 10". Music News Nashville. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
- ^ "On the Beat With Dave Krusen of Candlebox: Talks Recording and Touring". Modern Drummer. February 29, 2016. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
- ^ a b Timothy Anderl (September 19, 2015). "From The Horse's Mouth: Pete RG on Reach For The Moon". Ghettoblaster. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
- ^ a b "EXCLUSIVE: Listen to Pete RG's Passionate Exploration of "True Love"". Elmore Magazine. September 8, 2015. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
- ^ Jon Berrien (October 20, 2015). "LA based Pete RG reveals his EP 'Reaching for the Moon' track-by-track". Ground Sounds. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
- ^ Chris Steffen (October 5, 2015). "Album Premiere: Pete RG, 'Reaching For the Moon'". AllMusic. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
- ^ Shayne Hanley (September 7, 2015). "Pete RG Talks about His New EP, Upcoming Tour and Being Likened to "Neil Diamond on Steroids"". Pancakes and Whiskey. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
- ^ Sjimon Gompers (August 21, 2015). "Week in Pop". Impose. Retrieved February 26, 2016.
- ^ Joe DiVita (February 25, 2016). "Candlebox Reveal New Single 'Vexatious' + 2016 U.S. Tour". Loudwire. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
- ^ Morgan Y. Evans (September 30, 2015). "INTERVIEW: Pete RG". Spacelab. Retrieved February 26, 2016.