Peter Cornell

Peter Cornell began making music in Seattle, surrounded by the names who made the 90s one of the most productive decades in music history. Mother Love Bone, Alice In Chains, Queensryche, Nirvana and Soundgarden all provided fuel for the Pacific North West’s miraculous music explosion. Peter's first band, Inflatable Soule hit the ground running, sharing stages with the likes of Ann & Nancy Wilson, Counting Crows, Cranberries, Sister Hazel, Seven Mary Three and Smashmouth. In 1998 Peter went on to form Grace, touring the US and attracting airplay, but recalls that “after a couple years I found that I was still looking for my "true voice" in singing and songwriting. I moved to NYC and knocked around for a while, writing and researching, looking for a compatible artist to collaborate with.” Together with bassist Keith Mannino, he created hard rock band Black Market Radio - the springboard that led to his first solo album, Champion.

“I built a studio in my apartment in Brooklyn, locked myself inside and created a body of work on my own,” says Peter. “I took my time and made the record I wanted to make.”

Drawing on a lifetime’s experience, Champion’s songs are rich in emotion and rooted in the blues, evoking elements of everything from grunge to glam, Beatles to Bowie. They tell stories of anger and regret, fear and compassion. But although the musical mood is often dark, Peter Cornell is counting his blessings: “not the least of which is having my brother, Chris Cornell, in my corner every step of the way,” he says. “He is my mentor.” Former Pearl Jam drummer Dave Abbruzzese also plays drums on Champion, which is set for release soon.