WANTED: Band for Science Center Tour w/SETI Astronomer & Singer

Berkeley CA

Description

SUMMARY AND MUSIC TYPE: I am a singer-songwriter and PhD astrophysics student. I also have a research position at the SETI Institute (search for extraterrestrial intelligence). I am looking for a band to play regional and in the future national shows. The plan is to rehearse with me for a new science center tour idea I have that is also approved by my supervisor at the SETI Institute and will likely get their help in getting this all going and off the ground. MUSIC TYPE: indie rock, retro indie singer-songwriter, synth pop mix THE IDEA: SETI, in addition to being interesting science, gives us a cosmic perspective and could help us be a better species to each other and other life on this planet. Thinking about the possibility of life elsewhere makes us think about what may cause an intelligent species to go extinct (e.g. climate change, nuclear war, pandemics, asteroid impacts, mass extinction events, etc.) and this perspective can (hopefully) be inspiring to help people to see humanity as one and on one planet to work together to solve our collective problems. I want to do a ~60 minute science talk for the general public about SETI and these concepts, but have a band back me. We would perform my original songs that have a SETI/cosmic perspective theme in between portions of the science talk and the band would also play some background music to coincide with my talk. We would conclude with playing a several songs as outro. I and the SETI Institute have connections with many science centers and there is high probability for us to be booked for our first show at Cal Academy of Sciences in San Francisco and/or Chabot Space Center in Oakland. After we have a successful few shows, my science team would like to work on booking a national tour for us. I was recently booked at the Space Center Houston for this idea, but as a solo artist (main image above is the flyer from that), which gave me this idea. Additionally, I want to perform "music only" shows at independent music venues that also have a cosmic theme, but the first main goal is to get this science center show ready to go. INSTRUMENTAL NEEDS: -drummer -one lead and rhythm guitarist (must play both and mainly electric, but some acoustic is okay) -bass or keyboard player (must play synths and have some synths, bonus if you play keyboard/synths and bass guitar, ) (HUGE plus if you can also sing background vocals--I need at least one, but ideally two others in the band that can do backups) OTHER DETAILS/REQUIREMENTS: -you must be experienced in playing one of the instruments above and have your own professional gear -you must be willing to rehearse 2-4 times a month -you want to be involved in an exciting and unique original music project combining art and science -be willing to have photo shoots and wear outfits that conform to the band's brand (tbd together, but you must have an open mind) in shoots and shows -No cover music! Although I'd love to learn a few covers and may in fact want to learn 1-2 for our science center shows, this is an original music type of situation so if you want to play many shows at bars/restaurants playing covers than this band is not for you. -Pay: I can't pay you for rehearsals, but if/when we get booked we will split profits fairly from up front payments and/or ticket sales and merch. This is a unique idea. How many astrophysicist singer-songwriters do you know doing this? It has potential to turn into something special so if you're entrepreneurial and can see the potential and are excited about my idea, then let's do it! ABOUT ME & MUSICALLY: I have been the lead singer in several indie rock bands and currently perform and release solo under the name "Conner Eko". I have released several songs with press and have even received satellite radio play on SiriusXM. In our band, I will be the lead singer, but I also play keyboard and rhythm guitar on some songs. See https://linktr.ee/connereko for all the links. My latest single is an acoustic "live in studio" track. Here's the YouTube for that: https://youtu.be/8J3h41CoHLo See https://www.seti.org/our-scientists/daniel-oconner-peluso so you can see that I am actually with the SETI Institute THE BAND: We'll name ourselves something like "Conner Eko and the Cosmics" or "Conner Eko and the Galaxy Band" or something like "Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers" except my name with some space-themed name TBD. TO APPLY: Send me a little description of why you are interested, what you play, if you can sing backup vocals, your experience, location, availability, and links to you playing (we could also meet to jam if you have no links). I'll let you know if interested and then we can set up a time to chat and jam a bit to see if it's a good fit. Thanks for taking the time to read, listen, and apply!