Members Forever on the edge of the next great change, fumbling towards infinity; the songs of Passenger & Pilot reflect the passion and uncertainty of the ever-restless heart. Released in the winter of 2011, the band's freshman effort, "The Calm Before", explores how the future and past meet the present moment. Songwriters China Langford and Jonathan Hirsch compose works that evoke the barren and hopeful landscapes of love and loss, set against the soaring and intricate string arrangements of Lara Cushing and Chikin Kelley, with bassist Nathan Smith, shaping and grounding the songs. The San Francisco based orchestral folk outfit has established itself as a mainstay of the local music scene. The SF Chronicle describes them as: “Sweet, slow and utterly delicious.” Scoutbob writes, “Passenger & Pilot is the type of band that can command a stage, whether it’s standing under a tree in Hayes Valley Park or silencing the whole of Amnesia with just one beautiful song”. The SF Weekly describes Langford as having, “The kind of spacious and soulful voice you hear on old Stax-Volt 45s that provides its own kind of banked fire”. They have shared the stage with Fences, Darren Hanlon, Trainwreck Riders, among many others. Evoking images of Dakota snowstorms & Desert sunsets, flooded San Francisco streets & shadowy winter days, the songs of Passenger & Pilot will stay with you, wherever you go.
A night of acoustic music in the beautiful Studio Grand in Grand Lake, Oakland. Bring your mom. Bring your friend. Bring your friend's mom. Bring your mom's friend. Or whatever. Just come. We want to sing for you.
Pretty please come help support this gem of SF! Viracocha has been like our band's second home over the years..no words can express strongly enough the fondness we feel for this place.