As eminent Baltimore funk quartet Pigeons Playing Ping Pong approach fifteen years as a touring act, the band presents Perspective, a twelve-track studio album. PPPP’s storied career has carried the artists across the country, a consistently ascending migration defined by the continuous achievement of milestones, building a success story made possible by an unyielding commitment to craft and a penchant for fun. Perspective is a summative assessment of the journey from a bird’s eye view.
The challenges presented by the current pandemic were daunting for a quartet composed of seasoned road warriors accustomed to performing over one hundred shows annually. Perspective became a creative stopgap during the challenging times, with each band member finding catharsis through the music.
“Our first thought was, ‘though we can’t play live, we have to keep the music alive, even if just for our own sanity,’” reflects frontman “Scrambled Greg” Ormont. “Music is our lifeforce and we have to keep the fire burning. So instead of watching the world go by, we quickly decided to pour all of our creative energy into the studio and rejoice in the healing power of music.”
Working safely out of Wright Way Studios in their hometown of Baltimore, the band dove headfirst into musical creation as the world sank into quarantine, bringing Perspective to life.
Heralded by four outstanding singles, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong enlisted the support of several acclaimed guest musicians throughout the record. “Indiglo,” released in November, is a sprightly song that combines PPPP’s signature uplifting funk with masterful keyboard work from Zach Gill (ALO). The song is a vivacious reflection on personal progression and an ode to the subtle complexities presented by life on the road.
The Funky Foursome returned in February with a never-before-heard original single called “Elephante,” an infectious dance groove energized by a jumbo horn line from Nashville funk collective Here Come The Mummies. The single also featured a medieval-themed music video, shot at Maryland’s Enchanted Forest.
Groovy, liquid jam “Move Like That” arrived in March with a captivating music video captured live at Cleveland’s Agora Theatre. The scorching dance-floor anthem included funkified percussive textures from Jason Hann of The String Cheese Incident.
Finally, fans celebrated the studio treatment of “Sir Real,” a lionzed rarity in the band’s extensive live catalog. Originally composed during a live show in a moment of divine improvisation, “Sir Real” is a cerebral nod to the band's adoring fan base, and the voltaic power of live performance.
LISTEN - “Indiglo”
WATCH - “Elephante”
WATCH - “Move Like That”
LISTEN - “Sir Real”
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
Perspective
Tracklist:
Elephante
Move Like That (ft. Jason Hann)
Lost in Line
Sir Real
Water
Lowdown
Su Casa
Distant Times
Paperboy
Whirled
Beanstalk
Indiglo (ft. Zach Gill)
PPPP is in the midst of their Perspective Tour 2022, hitting venues and festivals across the country throughout the spring and summer. Tickets for all shows are on sale now through the band’s website.
Hailed as “musical explorers” by Rolling Stone, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong—singer/guitarist “Scrambled Greg” Ormont, guitarist Jeremy Schon, bassist Ben Carrey, and drummer Alex “Gator” Petropulos—first took flight in 2007 at the University of Maryland, and has since gone on to play more than a thousand shows across the continental United States. Driven by a relentless work ethic and an ecstatic sound, the fun-loving four-piece built their reputation on epic, blissed-out concerts blending addictive funk grooves with psychedelic jams and intoxicating energy. Described by Glide as “a band that melts faces and pulls no punches," PPPP has also been praised by Relix as “joyous” and “dance-worthy,” while Jambase simply calls them a “powerhouse.” Acting as their own independent label, the quartet has released six studio albums, most recently ‘Perspective,’ a buoyant psychedelic funk odyssey propelled by sonic fireworks
“We hope you listen to ‘Perspective’ and are reminded that life is fleeting yet amazing,” said Ormont. “Remember the good times, be excited about the future, but most of all, dance your heart out every step of the way.”
Through their wildly enthusiastic live shows, the band has morphed into a cult-like phenomenon beloved by their rabid and ever-expanding fanbase, affectionately known as “The Flock.” For a full list of tour dates and more information, visit pigeonsplayingpingpong.com.
