bike tour

In the introduction to my story on Blind Pilot this week, I mentioned a gig they had at an organic farm 10 miles north of Portland. Yes, it was a birthday bash. And it was my first introduction to the band and its live act. But the thing was, I was there for the birthday, so felt a little strange talking with Blind Pilot while in the back of my mind thinking of story angles and simultaneously reminding myself to just relax and enjoy the evening. Being a scene reporter can get schizophrenic sometimes.

When I finally introduce myself to the dark-haired Israel Nebeker at the farm, his stomach is growling. “Do you know where I could get some food?” he asks. Rule #1 on a bike tour: You need energy, so bring plenty of snacks. Rule #2: Failing that, rely on the kindness of strangers. I offer Nebeker bread and cream cheese, which he wolfs down while other band mates join in.

Nebeker is a seemingly bashful fellow with a sensitive side. He’s not hard to engage in conversation, but he’s not a verbose self-promoter, either. Since they went through the trouble of paying a PR rep and all, I thought I'd arrange for a phone interview later the next week through their PR guy. What follows after the jump is that conversation. Also, to sample Blind Pilot's music ahead of their Sept. 3 gig at Sam Bond's, go to their MySpace page or tune in to Eugene Weekly's Signal:Noise music podcast, episodes 10 and 11.

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