From community journalism to health care and higher ed, Mike’s career is powered by a passion to discover, create and share stories that connect people and advance strategic priorities.


My New Favorite Band isn't on Spotify

My New Favorite Band isn't on Spotify

My new favorite band isn’t on Spotify. Or on Bandcamp, Amazon Music, or Apple Music. They don’t have a Facebook page or an online merch store. But you can find them on Instagram.

My new favorite band is Banda Pipeliners or the Pipeliners Band, four guys from Brazil who play infectious surf music and 1980s cover songs with a tremendous amount of joy and energy.

I discovered Banda Pipeliners via an Instagram reel or story that popped up as a recommendation. I watched and I was hooked.

Like I do anytime I come across a new band, I went straight to Bandcamp to see if they had any music available. No luck. I searched the web and Facebook. Nothing. Finally, I sent a direct message to the band via Instagram. with this result:

I’ll take what I can get. I now follow of Banda Pipeliners on Instagram. I’ve been able to catch one of their live streams and I keep up on their posts and stories. I’m a sucker for surf music and a great guitar-driven cover song. Banda Pipeliners delivers both and they look like they’re having tremendous fun. That’s contagious.

While my new favorite band may not be on Spotify or Bandcamp yet, I’m hopeful for that merch site so I can get a Banda Pipeliner shirt to wear on these cold winter nights and properly represent Brazilan surf rock and roll in northern Illinois.

Don't Get Sidetracked

Don't Get Sidetracked

Sunset on the Hill