Sonny Masicampo Pilot Haus
Photo by Cliff Braun
When did you first get into music? I was born and raised in Philippine Islands and did not move to America until my early 20’s. Music has always been part of my childhood. Listening to the radio got me started with music at a young age. It has always been a source of motivation and inspiration. I spend hours listening to songs by singer songwriters and bands from United Sates, England and Canada. I was intrigued by the words and melodies they make. This obsession got me started learning how to play the guitar so I can play their songs. It gave me joy every time I’ve learned how to play songs of my favorite singer songwriters and bands. Some of my early favorites are James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Bob Dylan, Jim Croce, Neil Young, America, Beatles, The Doors, and Bread to name a few. I began hanging out with friends having the same interest to play songs with them on my guitar. We found it very exciting and fun. Then we started playing at our school campus and coffee shops in the city allowing live music. Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music? My days with the Navy while we were out to sea inspired me to write songs and think about pursuing a musical journey someday. But because of family responsibilities the journey did not happen until early 2015 when I formed Pilot Haus. An original alternative rock band based in Aurora Colorado. With the help of local talents as Scott Alexander McTaggart on drums, Johan Bautista on bass/lead guitar and Julia Bautista on keys, we practiced and eventually recorded our first EP album INCEPTUS. Later we were joined by Andrew McTaggart, Cliff Braun and Pete Carstensen. Performing live shows around the Denver Metro venues as The Roxy Theatre, Herman’s Hideaway, Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom/Other Side, Colorado Dragon Boat Festival and the Denver Art Society followed. How has your music evolved since you first began performing? Since our early live performances, Pilot Haus live shows evolved into a more dynamic and high energy experiences. So has the music. Our second full album Breaking Zora and third full album Latitude were indicative of that concept. In a very good way, the influence of such alternative rock bands as Nirvana, Weezer, Pearl Jam, The Ramones and Green Day to name a few, significantly influenced this approach.
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