Acclaimed Greek vocalist George Perris has released the stunning music video for his spellbinding cover of Billie Eilish’s “My Future,” amplifying the track’s quietly triumphant mood with cascading Balkan percussion and gloriously soaring Middle Eastern strings.
The single is featured on George’s recently released third full-length English-language album No Armor, an exquisite glimpse into the songs that have shaped him into a global phenomenon and the most widely renowned Greek singer of his generation which ushers in a new chapter in George’s life both personally and musically.
The cover of “My Future” holds a special place in George’s heart following the international news of his coming out.
“At the start of lockdown, I’d gone through several years of big changes in my life, so I threw myself into psychoanalysis to try to focus on what I needed and wanted,” Perris says in disclosing the cover’s origins. “As soon as I heard ‘My Future’ I knew I had to create my own version of it: it’s a big part of the puzzle in terms of not just reflecting on the past but looking forward to the future and where I’m going next in my life.”
This week, Perris has become the newest member in the family of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors from around the world who defend children’s rights in every corner of the planet; other Goodwill Ambassadors include Audrey Hepburn, David Beckham, P!NK, Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, and Nana Mouskouri. Check out the video of global pop icon Nana Mouskouri welcoming George to the UNICEF family.
In a testament to the incredible depth of his musicality on the album, Perris reinterprets an extraordinary range of artists including Joni Mitchell, Billie Eilish, ABBA, Stephen Sondheim, and Nana Mouskouri, infusing each song with the enchanting vocal presence he’s brought to many of the world’s most illustrious stages.
Despite its endless eclecticism, No Armor is indelibly rooted in Perris’ deep understanding of just how profoundly songs can impact our lives, and his lifelong commitment to creating music that lifts the spirit and strengthens the heart. Co-producing alongside composer/arranger/pianist Alexander Livitsanos, Perris assembled a lineup of prestigious Greek musicians to record his first-ever album in Greece—a pivotal factor in forging its distinctly Mediterranean sound. Thanks to their use of traditional instruments like the bouzouki and qanun, Perris’s collaborators ultimately added a decidedly Greek texture to the beloved songs that make up his musical DNA.
The album features stunning covers of West Side Story‘s “Somewhere” and his inimitable spin on the ABBA smash “I Have A Dream,” showcasing footage from Perris’ recently released third PBS concert special George Perris: A Sunset in Greece. Both the music videos and special were filmed at the 2,500-year-old Temple of Aphaea, making George the first artist in history to perform at an ancient Greek temple.
George Perris: A Sunset in Greece is the follow up to Perris’ two previous PBS specials – George Perris: Live from Jazz at Lincoln Center and George Perris: Live From The Acropolis – which have amassed over 160 million total viewers worldwide. Fusing his passion for the arts and humanitarianism, Perris is also an avid supporter of the Horatio Alger Association, a nonprofit educational organization that grants scholarships to students facing adversity.
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