Peter Hollens

Not to be confused with Peter Hollins.
Peter Hollens

Vocalist and producer Peter Hollens
Background information
Born (1982-03-04) March 4, 1982
Origin Eugene, Oregon
Genres Pop, A cappella
Occupation(s) Recording Engineer, Vocalist, Producer, YouTuber
Instruments Vocals, Vocal percussion
Years active 2002–present
Website http://www.peterhollens.com

Peter Hollens (born March 4, 1982) is an American singer/songwriter, producer and entrepreneur. He has been involved with a cappella music since 1999 when he and Leo da Silva founded the University of Oregon's a cappella group, On The Rocks, known as the first official collegiate a cappella group in Oregon.[1] He regularly releases new music videos to his YouTube channel.

Career

Originally from Ashland, Oregon, Hollens graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal performance. Since his graduation from the University of Oregon, Hollens has become involved with collegiate a cappella,[2] including recording, producing, and judging a cappella competitions throughout the United States. In 2010, he participated in NBC’s The Sing Off receiving acclaim from The Sing-Off judges Shawn Stockman, Nicole Scherzinger and Ben Folds for solo performances leading his group, On the Rocks.[3][4] They were eliminated 6th out of the 10 groups performing.

Hollens records and produces from his home studio in Eugene, Oregon, and also has recorded for Sony and Epic Records. Hollens's recordings include tracks for "The Sing-Off Season 2-Greatest Hits" as well as many collegiate a cappella albums for such groups as On the Rocks, Divisi, Cornell's Chordials, the Duke's Men of Yale and the Whiffenpoofs.[5] He has also recorded Sing-Off Season 2 winners, Committed, the Backbeats, and the Grammy Award-winning group The Swingle Singers.[6]

In 2011 he started his own YouTube channel, mostly posting music videos with multi-tracked a cappella covers. Repeatedly teaming up with other artists, he frequently collaborates with Lindsey Stirling and Taylor Davis. As of August 25, 2016, his channel has almost 1.5 million subscribers. To support his musical endeavors, Hollens joined the newly founded crowdfunding platform Patreon in 2013.

In 2012 he released his first album.

In 2013 he collaborated with Eric Whitacre to record the learning tracks for "Fly to Paradise", the song for Eric's Virtual Choir 4.

In 2014 he signed a deal with Sony Masterworks.[7][8] Peter released a self-titled album on October 27 of that year.

In 2015 Hollens joined the social video platform Reactions as a way to promote his YouTube music videos. As of January 5, 2015, Hollens is ranked 3rd on the social video app.

Also in 2015, he performed guest lead vocals for Brian Wilson's album No Pier Pressure on the song "Our Special Love".

Personal life

Hollens is married to Evynne Hollens, founder of the a cappella group Divisi. Evynne has her own YouTube channel, posting music videos, occasionally collaborating with her husband. Their son Ashland James Hollens was born March 30, 2014.

Notable recordings

2011:

2012:

2013:

2014:

2015:

2016:

Discography

National television appearances

On October 22, 2010, On The Rocks announced that they were going to be appearing alongside nine other groups on the NBC competition-reality show The Sing-Off. Although Hollens had already left the group, he was invited back to join for the show.[12] The first four episodes taped in August and September 2010, with a live finale on December 20. On The Rocks placed fifth among the ten groups, appearing in all five episodes. All ten of the groups made an appearance on the live finale and helped congratulate the group Committed on winning the prize and a Sony Recording contract. A holiday album was released featuring songs from all ten groups. Individual tracks (live and studio) were also released through iTunes.

Songs performed

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result
2013 Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards[13] Collaborative and Solo Performer Awards/Best Song By A Solo Performer “Shenandoah" on Covers Vol. 2 Won
2014 Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards[13] Collaborative and Solo Performer Awards/Best Song By A Solo Performer “I See Fire” Won
2015 Game Audio Network Guild Awards[14] Best Game Music Cover/Remix Award "Baba Yetu" (Civilization IV) feat. Malukah Finalist
2015 Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards[13] Collaborative and Solo Performer Awards/Best Folk/World Song "Black is the Color of My True Love's Hair" feat. Avi Kaplan Won
2015 Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards[13] Collaborative and Solo Performer Awards/Best Pop/Rock Song "Dark Horse" feat. Sam Tsui Nominated
2016 Game Audio Network Guild Awards[14] Best Game Music Cover/Remix Award Assassin's Creed Syndicate - "Underground" Won
2016 Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards[13] Collaborative and Solo Performer Awards/Best Song By A Solo Performer "Now We Are Free" Won

References

  1. ↑ Zimmerman, Steve (29 January 2004). "Hidden passion no longer". Ashland Daily Tidings. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  2. ↑ Ehrlich, Brenna (20 May 2011). "Our Favorite YouTube Videos This Week: The A Cappella Edition". Mashable. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  3. ↑ "On The Rocks". NBC Universal. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  4. ↑ ""The Sing-Off" Episode #2.1 (2010)". IMDb. 2010. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  5. ↑ hyperdel (16 February 2011). "An Interview With Peter Hollens". Contemporary A Cappella Society. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  6. ↑ "Peter Hollens '05 Sings to Make a Change". University of Oregon Alumni Association. May 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  7. ↑ "Sony Music Masterworks Signs One-Man A Cappella Vocalist & YouTube Star Peter Hollens". broadwayworld.com. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  8. ↑ "YouTube Singer Peter Hollens Earns Record Deal From Sony Music". Mashable. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  9. ↑ Eugene (14 February 2011). "Firework Cover by Peter Hollens, NBC's The Sing-Off Season 2-Contestant". PRWeb. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  10. ↑ Silver, Curtis (6 April 2012). "Epic Video: "The Dragonborn Comes" by Peter Hollens & Lindsey Stirling". Wired. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  11. ↑ http://www.patreon.com/creation?hid=611961
  12. ↑ "An Interview With Peter Hollens". CASA. 16 February 2011. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 "http://www.casa.org/cara2013w" CARA 2013 Awards. Accessed 30 May 2016
  14. 1 2 "http://www.audiogang.org/awards/2015-awards/"Game Audio Network Guild 2015 Awards. Accessed 30 May 2016
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