Arizona Public Radio | Your Source for NPR News
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
KNAU Arizona Public Radio is integrating new audio software into both news and classical services. We thank you for your patience and support through the transition.

Blind Pilot: From Bicycles To The Big Time

Friends since college, Israel Nebeker and Ryan Dobrowski have a special connection that serves as the essence of Blind Pilot. The pair's minimalist folk-pop sound revolves around simple melodies, sparse drumming and captivating vocals, while its lyrical bent often calls to mind folk-rock contemporaries such as Neutral Milk Hotel, Fleet Foxes, The Shins and Iron & Wine. Last year, the duo went on a West Coast bicycle tour, which took Blind Pilot from Vancouver to San Francisco. Around this time, the pair recorded 3 Rounds and a Sound, a warm but haunting debut.

The band's touring plans have grown more geographically ambitious since then: In August, it'll perform in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, in support of The Decemberists and Andrew Bird. This time, Blind Pilot's stage performances will feature a large backing band to provide rich horn arrangements and other elaborate instrumentation.

Copyright 2009 XPN