A cappella Vocalist Peter Hollens Forges an Intense Performance of 'I See Fire'

December 12, 2013

Peter Hollens Turns Up The Heat With YouTube Cover of 'I See Fire'

Peter Hollens' latest creation is a masterpiece video cover of the intense Ed Sheeran song 'I SEE FIRE' from "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" in intricate a cappella with body percussion. 

Exhibiting dedication to his art, Peter Hollens typically records himself performing the parts of a song 60, 80 or over 120 times then overlaps them together, creating musical works of depth and complexity. Peter's version of 'I See Fire' was created with 98 vocal tracks as well as additional tracks of body percussion. 

Incredibly haunting, soul-stirring themes of impending tragedy are depicted in both the heartbreaking lyrics and their skilled delivery by Peter Hollens; the expert lighting and cinematography serve to emphasize a fiercely desperate situation.

Providing all of the sounds himself alone, this begins with a single voice then slowly increases in its complexity, dozens of layers of a cappella vocals and body percussion increasing to such a subtle yet intense climax that the sudden ending...causes you to suspect you've been away on an epic adventure and surprised that you made it safely home.

Peter's videos, including this one, usually display several inset scenes of him creating the various sounds that accompany the lyrics in place of instruments; it is fascinating to see how it all comes together to create the elaborate result. He says, "I try to show people how I make the sounds because otherwise they don't believe it."

Peter Hollens is a professional vocalist in Eugene, Oregon. He has an impressive vocal range, more than four octaves; he often produces music in the style of intricate solo a cappella with beatboxing; one of his standard catchphrases on his videos is "all the sounds you hear are made with the human voice and mouth".

Peter chooses not to sign a contract with a record label, and he believes it is no longer necessary for artists/musicians to become successful by 'being discovered' or by participating in reality TV shows. "I purposely have no desire to ever do that," he said.

Peter currently has 65 music videos on his YouTube channel at
https://www.youtube.com/user/peterhollens/videos 

His music is available for purchase at iTunes or at Loudr for as little as a dollar.
Artists receive a larger percentage of sales when purchased via Loudr than any other purchasing interface. Loudr offers MP3, FLAC, and Apple Lossless formats.

Peter Hollens website: http://www.peterhollens.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeterHollensMusic

Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/+PeterHollens/

View Peter Hollens' music video of "I See Fire" at http://youtu.be/yymS1Pb7JfM  

While the video is playing, click the cog at bottom to increase the audio & video quality to HD; High Definition may cause lag if viewed on a portable device.

Lyrics to "I See Fire"

Oh, misty eye of the mountain below
Keep careful watch of my brothers' souls
And should the sky be filled with fire and smoke
Keep watching over Durin's sons

If this is to end in fire
Then we should all burn together
Watch the flames climb higher into the night

Calling out father, oh, stand by and we will
Watch the flames burn auburn on
The mountain side

And if we should die tonight
We should all die together
Raise a glass of wine for the last time
Calling out father oh,
Prepare as we will
Watch the flames burn auburn on
The mountainside

Desolation comes upon the sky

Now I see fire
Inside the mountain
I see fire
Burning the trees
And I see fire
Hollowing souls
I see fire
Blood in the breeze
And I hope that you remember me

Oh, should my people fall then
Surely I'll do the same
Confined in mountain halls
We got too close to the flame
Calling out father
Hold fast and we will
Watch the flames burn auburn on
The mountainside

Desolation comes upon the sky

Now I see fire
Inside the mountain
I see fire
Burning the trees
And I see fire
Hollowing souls
I see fire
Blood in the breeze
And I hope that you remember me

And if the night is burning
I will cover my eyes
For if the dark returns then
My brothers will die
And as the sky's falling down
It crashed into this lonely town
And with that shadow upon the ground
I hear my people screaming out

And I see fire
Inside the mountains
I see fire
Burning the trees
I see fire
Hollowing souls
I see fire
Blood in the breeze

I see fire
Oh, you know I saw a city burn and I...
And I see fire
Feel the heat upon my skin (fire)
And I see fire
Woohoohoooooooo (fire)
And I see fire
Burn auburn on the mountainside

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