How ‘Heated Rivalry’s’ Composer Peter Peter Created the Show’s Sexy Score: ‘I Was Improvising Live’

In a recent interview, composer Peter Peter joined the chorus of global surprise at the unprecedented success of "Heated Rivalry," the Crave original series. Speaking to Variety, the Canadian artist reflected on the whirlwind experience, stating, "It was an honor, and it went so fast." He admitted that while he found the project edgy and cool, he never anticipated it becoming a worldwide phenomenon. "You can never know... I'm very honored by that," Peter added. The series, created by Jacob Tierney, skyrocketed to fame by depicting the secret romantic entanglement between two hockey stars, Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), captivating millions of viewers.

The show's atmospheric score, described by Peter as "sexy, connected, and ambient," has garnered significant attention in its own right. This project marked Peter's debut as a film and television composer, a notable shift from his established career as a solo recording artist with five albums to his name. His 2023 electronic album "Éther" actually served as the catalyst for his involvement, having caught the ear of creator Jacob Tierney. The resulting 34-track soundtrack is now available on streaming platforms, with physical CD and vinyl editions slated for release later this year. This move capitalizes on the music's popularity, a common strategy in the industry where a hit score can dramatically elevate a composer's career, opening doors to major studio projects.

Peter detailed a creative process that was heavily revised upon seeing the actual footage. Initially contacted by Tierney via Instagram during the scripting phase, Peter began composing with minimal direction, even researching hockey films like "Youngblood" for inspiration, which he found unproductive. His early demos for intimate scenes featured faster rhythms, but this approach was completely abandoned. "It was way more sensual and delicate than I expected," Peter revealed after viewing the first rough cuts. This prompted him to scrap most of his initial work and start from scratch, composing directly to the finalized episodes over an intensive two-month period.

Eschewing specific musical references, Peter emphasized an intuitive, jam-based methodology. He dismissed fan comparisons to the score of the film "Challengers," explaining, "I'm not someone who tries to draw inspiration from anything in particular. I jam on things." His primary aim was to authentically mirror the characters' internal emotional journeys, sometimes improvising live while watching scenes. A signature technique involved the series of "Heartbeat" tracks, where he manipulated tempo to audibly represent the protagonists' accelerating pulses as their relationship intensified. When asked for standout musical moments, he pointed to the "dark, sexy vibe" of "Inferno" for a penthouse sequence and the poignant beauty of "One Soul" accompanying a lakeside scene.

The overwhelming fan reaction to the music forced a change in release plans. While Peter's contract included a standard soundtrack clause, the full album was originally scheduled for a 2026 release. "The reactions were so out of this world that we had to start during the holidays," he confessed, leading to the accelerated launch. Looking ahead, Peter was evasive regarding early talks for a potential second season, which industry rumors suggest could involve musical contributions from pop stars like Carly Rae Jepsen and Miley Cyrus. The swift album release not only satisfies audience demand but also highlights how integral Peter's score has been to the show's identity and its breakthrough as a cultural touchstone.