OUR STORY
Signal for Pilot began performing live 13 years ago in New York.
Band Founder and Drummer Chris ‘Jaws’ Ruzika was intent on creating a new type of sound that has its basis in Alternative Rock but is intermixed with an almost '80s style synth pop. The band refers to this new style as 'Alternative Electro Pop' or as guitarist Johnny Bernard likes to call it: ‘Stadium Indie.’
After performing for seven years up and down the East Coast and having amazing experiences opening up for national touring acts in the music mecca of New York City at venues like Webster Hall, Irving Plaza and Arlene’s Grocery, the band ended up feeling a bit burnt out, and knew they needed a change to renew their love and passion for creating new music.
Ultimately, they decided to relocate the band to Honolulu, Hawaii.
"We needed to step out of our comfort zones and sought to be reinvigorated by a total change of scene and scenery. The plan was to write a record in Hawaii and stay for a year. That one year out on the islands ultimately turned into four and half years – and no looking back!" - surmised Ruzika.
While in Hawaii, the band got to work recording and releasing a newly inspired EP: 'No Looking Back' which featured a more grounded roots and classic rock vibe mixed in with the Electro Pop style that is their staple.
"After recording that EP to rave reviews and still having a ton of songs leftover for another EP; we all felt this was much bigger than we previously thought and knew we needed to return to the Mainland and begin performing again in a place that could see our music get the exposure it deserves and go viral. But just like anything in life, things never go exactly as planned."
Upon moving to San Diego, the original lead singer needed to step away from music entirely, and COVID shut down the live music scene. But in the end, not all bad news is necessarily bad. While venues were shut down, SFP spent the downtime working really hard to refine the songs they wrote in Hawaii and bring their sound and music to whole new levels.
During this time, the band also took on a whole new life as they brought San Diego native lead singer Chase Manary, keyboardist Hugo De Bernardo, and bassist Jon Cruess. The addition the three new members really helped to elevate and round out the Electro Pop sound.
"Chase fell in love with our songs and sound and also brought a lot of new material he had sitting in his notepad. He also introduced us to legendary Producer Joey Bradford (Guitarist of ‘The Used’ and veteran of the Pop Punk scene), who we worked with to produce our upcoming album 'Next Level'. We recorded our first song with Joey – ‘Midnite Drive’ – in just two days. It was released three weeks later and hit the top 91 songs of 2021 for local radio station 91x San Diego and was nominated for Best Alt Indie Song at the 2022 San Diego Music Awards. From there we just kept cranking, and the full album is finally complete and due out on May 13, 2023!"
In addition to the SDMA nomination for ‘Midnite Drive’, Signal for Pilot has also been nominated for Best Indie/Alternative Band of the Year for two years in a row and by the Hollywood Independent Music Awards for Best Alternative Song for 'Upload.'
"We can feel this amazing momentum growing every day and couldn’t be happier that we decided to make the move to San Diego a few years ago. We love the music scene, the fans, the venues, and just the city as a whole, and can’t wait to share more great music with everyone. Stay tuned for 'Next Level' and please don't forget to follow us on Social Media and add your favorite songs to your playlist on Apple or Spoitfy. We are so grateful for all the love and support and can't wait to see you all at your favorite venues in the weeks and months ahead!"
Band Founder and Drummer Chris ‘Jaws’ Ruzika was intent on creating a new type of sound that has its basis in Alternative Rock but is intermixed with an almost '80s style synth pop. The band refers to this new style as 'Alternative Electro Pop' or as guitarist Johnny Bernard likes to call it: ‘Stadium Indie.’
After performing for seven years up and down the East Coast and having amazing experiences opening up for national touring acts in the music mecca of New York City at venues like Webster Hall, Irving Plaza and Arlene’s Grocery, the band ended up feeling a bit burnt out, and knew they needed a change to renew their love and passion for creating new music.
Ultimately, they decided to relocate the band to Honolulu, Hawaii.
"We needed to step out of our comfort zones and sought to be reinvigorated by a total change of scene and scenery. The plan was to write a record in Hawaii and stay for a year. That one year out on the islands ultimately turned into four and half years – and no looking back!" - surmised Ruzika.
While in Hawaii, the band got to work recording and releasing a newly inspired EP: 'No Looking Back' which featured a more grounded roots and classic rock vibe mixed in with the Electro Pop style that is their staple.
"After recording that EP to rave reviews and still having a ton of songs leftover for another EP; we all felt this was much bigger than we previously thought and knew we needed to return to the Mainland and begin performing again in a place that could see our music get the exposure it deserves and go viral. But just like anything in life, things never go exactly as planned."
Upon moving to San Diego, the original lead singer needed to step away from music entirely, and COVID shut down the live music scene. But in the end, not all bad news is necessarily bad. While venues were shut down, SFP spent the downtime working really hard to refine the songs they wrote in Hawaii and bring their sound and music to whole new levels.
During this time, the band also took on a whole new life as they brought San Diego native lead singer Chase Manary, keyboardist Hugo De Bernardo, and bassist Jon Cruess. The addition the three new members really helped to elevate and round out the Electro Pop sound.
"Chase fell in love with our songs and sound and also brought a lot of new material he had sitting in his notepad. He also introduced us to legendary Producer Joey Bradford (Guitarist of ‘The Used’ and veteran of the Pop Punk scene), who we worked with to produce our upcoming album 'Next Level'. We recorded our first song with Joey – ‘Midnite Drive’ – in just two days. It was released three weeks later and hit the top 91 songs of 2021 for local radio station 91x San Diego and was nominated for Best Alt Indie Song at the 2022 San Diego Music Awards. From there we just kept cranking, and the full album is finally complete and due out on May 13, 2023!"
In addition to the SDMA nomination for ‘Midnite Drive’, Signal for Pilot has also been nominated for Best Indie/Alternative Band of the Year for two years in a row and by the Hollywood Independent Music Awards for Best Alternative Song for 'Upload.'
"We can feel this amazing momentum growing every day and couldn’t be happier that we decided to make the move to San Diego a few years ago. We love the music scene, the fans, the venues, and just the city as a whole, and can’t wait to share more great music with everyone. Stay tuned for 'Next Level' and please don't forget to follow us on Social Media and add your favorite songs to your playlist on Apple or Spoitfy. We are so grateful for all the love and support and can't wait to see you all at your favorite venues in the weeks and months ahead!"