Project of Seattle-based singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Paul Hiraga, Downpilot has released several critically lauded albums in the U.S. and Europe on Tapete Records. Downpilot's graceful, languid music is informed by elements of folk, slowcore, and modern psychedelia, reinforced by calm yet powerful soundscapes. 2023's The Forecast, the seventh Downpilot outing, presents a diverse array of styles, from thoughtful midtempo pop to more experimental yet still melodic rock. - AllMusic

This is the site for Danny Newcomb and the Sugarmakers.  Danny Newcomb lead vocals and guitar, Rick Friel bass, Eric Eagle on the drums.  Our debut record, Masterwish, is coming out August 1 digitally on Hockeytalkter/rock candy mountain records. I grew up playing a Gibson SG, starting out learning Deep Purple songs, Cheap Trick and Kiss, and the Beatles.  Love the power of the guitar mixed with a sweet idea.  Where else do you need to go? It wasn't wanting to arrive somewhere (besides the stepping off a tour bus part,) that made me play, it was wanting to be inside the song, wanting the song to be as good as a tough riff, intricate as an off beat time change, and as universal as a christmas carol..... I played everyday, sometimes all day.  Shadow was the first real band, and we rehearsed 5 days a week, loud as we could, but there was always melody -- maybe not in the vocals -- but in the guitars. I met Carrie Akre after Hammerbox had split up.  When I first heard her voice on playback I knew that something good had happened. Goodness released a debut independent, and got signed to Atlantic. We toured with Candlebox, opened for Oasis, opened for Pearl Jam, played Vladivostok, ran out of money in Indiana, re-signed to Immortal records and toured some more. We released two full length records, an ep, and several live recordings. Later I wrote songs for and helped found the Rockfords with Mike McCready and Rick and Chris Friel.  Carrie sang on that project, and we recorded a full-length for Epic, and then an ep. So I got a taste of doing what I wanted, but not how I wanted. I had dipped into sessions with drummers over the years, recording songs that I never brought to my other bands -- music that was all mine -- not just the guitar, not just the words, but me.  Yeah.  I had to sing my own songs. I started recording with Ian Moore, going slowly.  Rick Friel was part of the core that got it moving.  Eric came in during those sessions at Ian's suggestion, and he and Rick made that sound on the first day.  I took the tapes to John Goodmanson to mix, but I had a couple more ideas for new songs as well.  We ended up recording another 8 tunes that all made the cut. So that is Masterwish.  A long road to a place I've always wanted to end up, but wondered if I ever could find it.  My place, the heart of the song. wish you the best, Danny