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The AutoPilots’ united rock ‘n’ roll sound is the combination of many moving parts that have fit together seamlessly.
The four founding members graduated Vandebilt Catholic High School together in 2009. Although they were familiar with one another, they didn’t play as a full group until after graduation, and even then, it was spontaneous.
“It finally came up one night at a party: ‘Hey, why don’t we jam together?’ With one jam, we wrote a song, and the rest is history,” the band’s lead singer and bassist Gabriel Delaney said.
The product is tight rock ‘n’ roll sound that complements the catchy melodies Delaney pens.
Joining Delaney are Ethan Belanger (lead guitar), Zach Blum (drums) and Matthew Meche (rhythm guitar). The AutoPilots are also launching new keyboardist, Jordan, whose addition allows for more creative exploration.
“He’s a white boy who can stroke the keys like Ray Charles or Stevie Wonder,” Delaney said. “He’s got the soul. He’s one of the first dudes I’ve been able to sing with who can harmonize with me on the spot, almost no effort. Our voices just blend together naturally, I think.”
Delaney spent a year and a half in San Francisco, but the collaboration with his Houma band mates not only continued, but it improved in many ways, he said. He returned to his hometown about a year ago, and now The AutoPilots are gearing up for their next phase.
“We’re always off on our own, so we’re always writing different parts, and we’ll really just come together now and then and jam and throw all our stuff together,” Delaney said. “It’s almost a collaborative effort of four different songwriters, sometimes.”
Now and in the coming months the band will inflict a renewed focus on garnering attention from beyond Houma.
“We’ve never really felt like we were shooting for any goal,” Delaney said. “It never had to be grandiose; we just wanted to play rock ‘n’ roll for whoever wanted to hear it. … I think we’re getting to the point now where we’re ready to get on the road and start taking things to the next level.”
