David Patrick Ohliger, known as Willpilot is a New York based singer,songwriter,producer. Willpilot was a result of a guest list mix up, at a birthday party for the legendary photographer Bob Gruen in 2001. Ohliger has been performing under the name Willpilot ever since.
Influenced by late 70’s & 80’s punk rock, Ohliger fronted various trio’s in his teenage years. The Gonads, Sinkhole & The Rosenbergs. Demo tapes even caught the attention of Jello Biafra’s, Alternative Tentacles label. Ohliger then started the guitar driven, indie-rock band The Sandpebbles, and despite great live shows the group struggled to find it’s footing in the hardcore scene dominating Long Island in the late 90’s. The Sandpebbles released a 7” and full length Up Towards The Dotted Line to favorable reviews but broke up shortly after their only U.S. Tour.
Ohliger then found a home in the local underground club scene while working for record label Ellipses Arts and DJ Times magazine. Now spinning at night, Ohliger’s music conscience was expanding. “DJ’s at that time were open to sharing their artistry with one another, the scene seemed less pretentious and more earnest, it was ear opening.”
Inspired by the nightlife and now armed with renewed musical inspiration, Ohliger renovated an old 16 track 1” TASCAM tape machine, moved to Huntsville,Canada with a girlfriend and recorded the debut Everybody is Everything. A stark contrast to previous efforts and a nod to some old souls and music icons, Lennon, Gaye & Sinatra. With a new sound realized and the ride up North coming to an end, Ohliger returned to New York, reborn as Willpilot, ready to start cutting a new musical path.
Willpilot performed solo and as a power trio to support the debut album Everybody is Everything in (2004) which ultimately grew into a seven-piece soul/punk band which is captured on the album OK Goodnight (2010). A return to solo efforts, Arrangements in Slimness (2014) and Shelter in Place (2018) emphasize a Lo-fi collage inspired psychedelic soul sound while the recent NO Winter (2021) is a focused American Rock album backed by various guest musicians and a string ensemble.
In between touring and recording, Ohliger has composed music for the romantic thriller and Canne’s festival premiering Love Stalker (2010) and the critically acclaimed documentary The Last Sermon (2020) as well as the short films The Last Westie (2009), Hard Times (2012) and the award winning animated Abyssus Abyssum Invocat (2013).
Ohliger is currently performing with a new band to support Willpilot & The Acoustic Shadows - NO Winter album which was produced by longtime collaborator Jamie Siegel(JRockStudios) and working on various projects at his Lake Ronkonkoma NY studio where he lives with wife Janet Kurnatowski (Jewelry Designer) and their adoring son Max.
For Booking please , see below contact form
Influenced by late 70’s & 80’s punk rock, Ohliger fronted various trio’s in his teenage years. The Gonads, Sinkhole & The Rosenbergs. Demo tapes even caught the attention of Jello Biafra’s, Alternative Tentacles label. Ohliger then started the guitar driven, indie-rock band The Sandpebbles, and despite great live shows the group struggled to find it’s footing in the hardcore scene dominating Long Island in the late 90’s. The Sandpebbles released a 7” and full length Up Towards The Dotted Line to favorable reviews but broke up shortly after their only U.S. Tour.
Ohliger then found a home in the local underground club scene while working for record label Ellipses Arts and DJ Times magazine. Now spinning at night, Ohliger’s music conscience was expanding. “DJ’s at that time were open to sharing their artistry with one another, the scene seemed less pretentious and more earnest, it was ear opening.”
Inspired by the nightlife and now armed with renewed musical inspiration, Ohliger renovated an old 16 track 1” TASCAM tape machine, moved to Huntsville,Canada with a girlfriend and recorded the debut Everybody is Everything. A stark contrast to previous efforts and a nod to some old souls and music icons, Lennon, Gaye & Sinatra. With a new sound realized and the ride up North coming to an end, Ohliger returned to New York, reborn as Willpilot, ready to start cutting a new musical path.
Willpilot performed solo and as a power trio to support the debut album Everybody is Everything in (2004) which ultimately grew into a seven-piece soul/punk band which is captured on the album OK Goodnight (2010). A return to solo efforts, Arrangements in Slimness (2014) and Shelter in Place (2018) emphasize a Lo-fi collage inspired psychedelic soul sound while the recent NO Winter (2021) is a focused American Rock album backed by various guest musicians and a string ensemble.
In between touring and recording, Ohliger has composed music for the romantic thriller and Canne’s festival premiering Love Stalker (2010) and the critically acclaimed documentary The Last Sermon (2020) as well as the short films The Last Westie (2009), Hard Times (2012) and the award winning animated Abyssus Abyssum Invocat (2013).
Ohliger is currently performing with a new band to support Willpilot & The Acoustic Shadows - NO Winter album which was produced by longtime collaborator Jamie Siegel(JRockStudios) and working on various projects at his Lake Ronkonkoma NY studio where he lives with wife Janet Kurnatowski (Jewelry Designer) and their adoring son Max.
For Booking please , see below contact form