Taking its name from the pilot boats that guide freighters through the treacherous mouth of the Columbia River, the band Blind Pilot sprang from Astoria’s swirling nexus of tides and mountains.

“This landscape has always resonated with me,” says guitarist and singer Israel Nebeker, who grew up south of Astoria. “This place has always been a really important place where the river meets the ocean. That’s the biggest draw for me, the energy that buzzes in the tides and in the land.”

Nebeker and bandmate/drummer Dobrowski joined us for our live Astoria show to talk about what drew them back to Astoria and what they’re working on, as well as to play two songs with cellist Sergey Antonov: “3 Rounds and a Sound” and the brand new “And Then Like Lions.”

You can read the full story here: http://www.opb.org/radio/programs/state-of-wonder/article/blind-pilots-israel-nebeker-and-ryan-dobrowski-on-making-music-in-astoria