Sahara Smith debuted in 2010 with Myth Of The Heart, a T-Bone Burnett-helmed record that earned the young singer-songwriter three Austin Music Awards. Even with all the recognition, she opted for a band for her second effort, teaming up with Okkervil River’s Lauren Gurgiolo and Michael St. Clair and snagging Brian Beattie (Shearwater, Okkervil River) as a producer. Smith dubbed the group Girl Pilot, taking the name from a 1940s comic book that she discovered as a teenager.
With an album on the horizon, Girl Pilot plays tonight at the ABGB, and we’ve got an exclusive song as a preview of Smith’s new sound. “Place Of Peace” features a duet with fellow Austinite Bill Callahan, and you can download it below.
–Art Levy