Getting to Know Echo Pilot
The Alt-Rock Band Shares Their thoughts on the New Album and more
A few weeks ago, I was invited to check out a show at The ‘58, which is a venue located within the walls of Eastside Bowl. My friend and Rock Oracle photographer, Will Morrison, knew the lead singer of the band that was headlining that evening to promote their new album Notion. This is the second studio album release for the group known as Echo Pilot. Echo Pilot is a four-piece alt-rock band that features Ryan Van Abeele on guitar/vocals, Aaron Smith on guitar, Andrew Stuart Howsman bringing the bass and backing vocals and Dan Russell on drums. They were so fresh and energetic, and you could tell that this pack of musicians was looking to do big this through their music. I wrote about the show that night and listened to their new vinyl several times. They were also gracious enough to sign a copy of the show bill for me as well.
Now I was given a chance to sit down with the band and ask them all those questions that I wondered about while I was penning my original article. And yes, I scribe notes with actually pen and paper. I am old; therefore I am old school.
First of all, thanks to our mutual friend Will Morrison for turning me on to Echo Pilot. Your record release party at Eastside Bowl in Nashville, TN was fantastic. How do you feel about your sophomore album versus your debut record?
Will is the best! I’ve known him since 2019 and he’s a stand up gentleman who is always so supportive. Really appreciate you coming out to the album release show! We’re glad you enjoyed it and got to see us do what we love most! We feel great about ‘Notion’. This album shows the growth of the songwriting within the band. Both the first and second albums are something we’re very proud of, and this latest one just shows the moment in time of where we’re at musically and creatively. It keeps evolving which is something as an artist you strive for.
Where do you all meet and where does the name of the band come from?
We all met at varying times. Echo Pilot is the brainchild of Ryan Van Abeele (singer/rhythm guitarist) and was started in 2018. Andrew Stuart Howsmon (bass/backing vocals) auditioned and was brought on in 2022. Dan Russell (drums) was recommended by a friend and fan of the band and auditioned and was brought on in October 2023. Aaron Smith (lead guitarist) auditioned around that time as well and was officially brought on in January 2024. The name Echo Pilot was literally just thrown together by Ryan who thought the two words together sounded cool. There’s no awesome name origin story (laughter ensues).
Do you remember the moment in time where the band thought, “We could really do this!”?
We all individually have been grinding and working at “making it” in music for well over a decade now. As a band, once all four members started writing new songs together in early 2024 and understanding that we all are in this band for the same reasons, that’s when we all had this telepathic moment of “oh, we can actually go somewhere with this band.”
How do you develop your songs? Is there a clear process or does it vary? (i.e. – what is your creative process?)
Typically, Ryan comes to practice with ideas ranging from one riff to a rough draft blueprint of a full song and then we as a band jam on it and each add our own individual elements that make it sound like an Echo Pilot song. All four of us are capable of writing songs so there’s no specific formula to this process but rather what makes the most sense and what works best to serve the song.
I thought you guys have a sound that resonates in line with bands like the Foo Fighters, CCR and sprinkles of The Gin Blossoms. Do you like when you are compared to other bands or does that come as a disservice?
Being compared to well known bands (especially ones we consider heroes like Foo Fighters) is always a compliment! We’ve never seen comparison as a disservice to the band as the sound we create is ultimately up to the listener to interpret and comprehend in their own way. That’s the beauty of music.
Who are your influences?
Our influences individually range quite a bit. Collectively, we’re all influenced by bands like Foo Fighters, Green Day, The Beatles, The Smashing Pumpkins, Queens of the Stone Age, and Led Zeppelin.
Was there anything that didn’t make the new album that you wanted to squeeze in? Maybe a third album already in mind?
The latest album ‘Notion’ was meticulously crafted and planned out to where the 9 tracks on the album are what was ultimately intended. Since then though and with the addition of Dan and Aaron, we’ve already got enough new material for album three and the beginnings of album four.
What’s next for Echo Pilot. Is there a tour in mind? Maybe a summer festival?
Since the album release show at The 58 on March 8th, we’ve just wrapped our Spring tour of ‘Notion’ through St. Louis, Chicago, and Cincinnati. We have a few local Nashville shows sprinkled in throughout the remainder of Spring before our Summer tour of ‘Notion’ up the East Coast begins in June. More shows then to follow in other parts of Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama then an upcoming Fall tour of ‘Notion’ that has yet to be solidified.
If the band could open for any major act who would it be (past or present or both)?
A present act is no doubt the Foo Fighters. A past act is probably a coin flip but would most likely land on Led Zeppelin.
What song are you most proud of?
This question is impossible to answer and is the equivalent of asking a parent to pick their favorite child (more laughter).
Well my parents would have a clear answer.
I’d like to thank the band for chatting with me and getting this interview on the books. They are such a gracious and delightful group of humans. Be Sure to check out Echo Pilot when they are in your area. Supporting live music, musicians and independently owned venues is so important these days. Here is the link to those tour dates for Echo Pilot.
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