Blind Pilot returns with first new album in 8 years, plus concert tour dates

Blind Pilot fans can breathe a sigh of relief now that the sensational indie-folk act out of Portland, Oregon has announced plans to release its first new album in eight years.

“In the Shadow of the Holy Mountain” — the group’s fourth full-length to date and its first long play since 2016’s “And Then Like Lions” — is due out Aug. 16 on mighty ATO Records.

Yet, thankfully, fans don’t have to wait that long to get a sample of the music. Instead, they can just visit their favorite music streaming sites (like Spotify, YouTube, etc.) and dial up the cool new single “Just a Bird.”

The band — which is fronted by singer-songwriter-guitarist Israel Nebeker — sounds great on this warm and peppy new cut, further building up the anticipation to hear the full 11-song collection when it hits stores in mid-August.

And it sounds like Nebeker put his all into this new release, which follows a multi-year journey (including a trip to connect with his family’s roots in Scandinavia) to “reclaim his voice as a songwriter,” according to a news release.

“I was struggling with a lot of fear surrounding expectations of who I was supposed to be,” Nebeker says. “I’d lost my path with music.”

Judging by what we hear on “Just a Bird,” it’s pretty safe to say that Nebeker has found his path once again.

And that path will bring Nebeker and company out on the road for a lengthy tour that includes three dates in Northern California. Blind Pilot plays June 22 at Felton Music Hall, Nov. 9 at Harlow’s in Sacramento and Nov. 12 at the Fillmore in San Francisco. See blindpilot.com for more information.

.