Pete RG

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.

Early life

Pete 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. 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.

Last December

In 1998, RG formed Los Angeles-based indie pop/Americana band Last December. He was the principal songwriter, lead singer and bandleader. They signed with a major label and had different sessions with different producers.

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. After the band drifted apart in 2007, he started producing different acts as well as writing music for television. It was described as "plucky fits of banjo, understated rhythms, and Pete's coffee coated vocals." 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.

Lightning Strikes

On 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".

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.

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."

Reaching for the Moon

The 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. Co-produced and engineered by Brina Kabler, the EP was released on October 9, 2015.

With a "soulful and rustic rock sound [celebrating] the splendor of life, it is five tracks of pure sonic goodness." It was described as "energetic, yearning rock based around ringing guitars and shimmering textures", "tight, danceable and at the same time really good rock n' roll", and "the warmth of a troubadour brought up on the traveling spirit songs of The Boss."

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.

RG will be releasing the LP Sentimental Fool in the summer of 2016 followed by a Fall 2016 tour.

4L Entertainment

In 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.

Discography

Singles

Year Title Album2012 "New Eyes" 2013 "Always Christmas" 2015 "Still Here"

Extended plays

Music videos