When Peter Karagounis was just 15-years-old, his parents realised he had a gift. Listening to him singing around the house, they quickly pointed out that his voice could very well turn into a career in music. Now, at the age of 22, Peter has not only impressed his friends and family, but also the four judges on this season’s Australian Idol.

Born and raised in Melbourne, Peter always knew he had a deep love for music.

“I’ve always been involved in music and I’ve always loved to sing,” Peter tells Neos Kosmos.

“It started getting a bit serious when I was about 15-years-old, and that was when my parents said to me ‘Peter, you can actually hold a tune, so how about we get you started on some lessons?’ That was when it all began.”

He immediately fell in love with the possibility of a potential career in music, and after a few years of singing lessons, Peter decided music was no longer a hobby to him.

“It took a while for me to see the potential with my voice, and as I kept getting better and my range got bigger I just fell in love with it day after day. That was when I realised I could do this as a career,” he says.

Peter has had an appreciation for Greek music from a very young age, when he would listen to it in the car with his parents.

“I always say that Greek music can’t be translated into English. Some of the lyrics just won’t make sense, and that’s one of the things I love about it.”

Growing up, his favourite Greek singer was Pantelis Pantelidis. These days, he is all about Greek pop, with his current favourite being Greek-American artist, Evangelia, whom he hopes to one day collaborate with.

“The way she blends contemporary pop with traditional elements of Greek music is incredible,” he says. “I would love to one day sing with Evangelia, I think that what she comes out with in the music that she makes is very similar to what I do with my music. I would love to incorporate my Greek heritage into my original music.”

Peter Karagounis at the Australian Idol auditions. Photo: Supplied

This year, Peter decided to audition for Australian Idol, where he was placed in the Top 24.

“Going on Australian Idol was absolutely lifechanging for me.”

“Even though things didn’t work out as I wanted them to, the whole experience from start to finish was such an honour and I’m so grateful for all the support that I’ve had around me, as well as the life lessons that I’ve learnt.”

During his time on the show, Peter learnt the importance of performing well under pressure, as he not only sang in front of judges Kyle Sandilands, Meghan Trainor, Amy Shark and Harry Connick Jr, but also in front of national television.

“It’s full on,” he says, speaking about his experience.

“You have to be switched on 24/7, there are early morning calls even if you may be performing at night, it’s just a lot of stress and anxiety. Walking down the corridor towards the judges felt like it took ten years because of how nervous I was.”

Despite all the nerves, Peter impressed the judges and made it through to the Top 24, but his time on the show has now come to an end.

So, would he do it all again?

“I probably wouldn’t audition again any time soon. I think that the next thing in my life is to focus on my own craft and making sure that I’m getting back in the studio and songwriting. I’m focusing on releasing original content, which is what every artist wants to do,” he says.

“But you never know what opportunities might arise in the future. Maybe one day I might consider trying again.”

These days, Peter plans on getting back into the studio and working on releasing some of his original music.

At just 22-years-old, he certainly has some big aspirations for the future.

“One of my biggest dreams would be to represent either Australia or Greece at Eurovision,” he says.

“That would be my dream come true.”

Peter Karagounis performing at the Australian Idol. Photo: Supplied