David Patrick Ohliger is an American musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who records under the name Willpilot.
He is also known for his contributions as a singer, rhythm guitarist and songwriter for the post-punk/hardcore band The Sandpebbles.
In 2004, he debuted his first full-length Willpilot album Everybody is Everything. Willpilot began performing in small local venues as a one man show in 2001. The name Willpilot was a result of a guest list mix up at a birthday party for the legendary photographer Bob Gruen. Ohliger has been performing under the name Willpilot ever since.
Ohliger started playing guitar and writing music at the age of 16. 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 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 New York 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 Tour.
In his 20’s Ohliger found a home in the NY underground club scene while working for record label Ellipses Arts and DJ Times magazine. DJing at night, Ohliger’s music conscience was expanding. “DJ’s at that time were open to sharing their craft with one another, they seemed less pretentious and more earnest than the live music scene at the time, it was ear opening.”
Inspired by the nightlife and armed with renewed musical inspiration, Ohliger purchased a 16 track 1” TASCAM tape machine, moved to Huntsville,Canada with girlfriend and recorded the debut Everybody is Everything. A stark contrast to his 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 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 EP EL ROJA (2006) and 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 produced by longtime collaborator Jamie Siegel(JRockStudios).
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 and recording with new band Willpilot & The Acoustic Shadows, 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
He is also known for his contributions as a singer, rhythm guitarist and songwriter for the post-punk/hardcore band The Sandpebbles.
In 2004, he debuted his first full-length Willpilot album Everybody is Everything. Willpilot began performing in small local venues as a one man show in 2001. The name Willpilot was a result of a guest list mix up at a birthday party for the legendary photographer Bob Gruen. Ohliger has been performing under the name Willpilot ever since.
Ohliger started playing guitar and writing music at the age of 16. 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 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 New York 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 Tour.
In his 20’s Ohliger found a home in the NY underground club scene while working for record label Ellipses Arts and DJ Times magazine. DJing at night, Ohliger’s music conscience was expanding. “DJ’s at that time were open to sharing their craft with one another, they seemed less pretentious and more earnest than the live music scene at the time, it was ear opening.”
Inspired by the nightlife and armed with renewed musical inspiration, Ohliger purchased a 16 track 1” TASCAM tape machine, moved to Huntsville,Canada with girlfriend and recorded the debut Everybody is Everything. A stark contrast to his 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 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 EP EL ROJA (2006) and 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 produced by longtime collaborator Jamie Siegel(JRockStudios).
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 and recording with new band Willpilot & The Acoustic Shadows, 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