Today we’d like to introduce you to Echo Pilot.
Hi Echo, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
The four of us have been a band since January 2024. Though there have been other renditions of Echo Pilot in the past, this lineup has been together for a couple of years. We released our first album, A Day Like This, in June of 2022. Our second album, Notion, was released in February of 2025. The current lineup all met through different ways. The band was created by Lead Singer and Guitarist Ryan Van Abeele in 2018. Ryan met Andrew Stuart Howsmon (Bass/Backing Vocals) through a Nashville Musicians Facebook page. Ryan saw Andrew’s cover of Queens of the Stone Age’s “No One Knows” and had him try out for the band. Aaron Smith (Lead Guitar) had been in the scene with another rock band when he initially reached out to have Echo Pilot play a show with his band back in 2022. When it was time to find another guitarist, Ryan remembered Aaron and his Gibson Trini Lopez that he would shred on. Ryan reached out and they jammed and everything just fit perfectly. Dan Russell (Drums) was introduced to the band through a fan. This fan later became Dan’s significant other and is a prominent person in the Nashville arts scene. Dan’s power and precision came in strong at audition’s and landed him the job. The band has been playing shows all across the Midwest, East Coast, South, and Mid-South regions. They are embarking on a two and a half week Midwest Spring tour coming up in April. It starts off Thursday, April 16th at Melody Inn in Indianapolis, IN.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This band has seen plenty of growing pains. The most significant of which is lineup changes whether it’s been due to members leaving to start families or pursuing other projects. One thing though has been a driving force through all of this and that is Ryan’s drive and passion to keep the band going. Through all of the change and doubt that comes through we persevere. The four of us now are absolutely the four that are meant to be for this band. This band had to go through the hard times to get to where it is now, which is an extremely cohesive unit that has an undeniable chemistry on and off the stage. All of our visions align when it comes to what we want to do as musicians and what’s best for Echo Pilot.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We’re a rock band. We specialize in making and performing music that is honest and not processed. It is about as analog as it gets. While we don’t take ourselves too seriously, we take the music and our craft very seriously. We’re known for a very lively and energetic sound that can bring people together. Our authenticity comes through in the music and we hope it develops a trust with the listener. We like writing songs that people can sing along to. A catchy chorus, to us, is one of the most important aspects of a song along with lots of infectious melodies.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Being the truest form of yourself. With that comes honesty. We think people can see that through our music and our social media. We’re not trying to be anything we’re not. We also work to not let outside noise get into our bubble. We have a tight knit group and trust each other to be themselves, which is necessary to create authentic music.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.echopilotmusic.com/
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/echopilotmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/echopilotmusic?
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@echopilotmusic?si=-OftEolg17al4tum
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@echopilotmusic?_r=1&_t=ZT-951EnWQVpYT
