With “Sounds Under Cedar,” the debut album from Echo After 9, the band shows off its musical diversity.
“The record reflects the broad range of influences each member brings to the band,” drummer Justin Hackett said. “As a debut, it represents our years of musical experiences, influences, and ideas coming together in one collection of songs.”
The album’s title comes from the rehearsal/recording studio, built by Hackett and guitarist Dan Pryor, where the album was written and recorded on Cedar Boulevard in Mt. Lebanon.
“In a very literal sense, we are the sounds under Cedar!” Hackett said.
The album explores a range of experiences, with many centering on human connection.
“The album reflects on how relationships can give life meaning, purpose and joy, but also how fractured or unhealthy relationships can magnify loneliness, uncertainty and loss,” Hackett said. “Whether through friendship, romance, family or community, connection remains a thread running throughout the record. The songs examine both the comfort we find in others and the challenges that arise when those connections begin to fray.”
For recent single “Grey,” singer Sarah Greenwald said the song came to life during the covid-19 pandemic.
”It’s a song about isolation and loneliness as a general theme, but the lyrics are based on a specific conversation born of that isolation. A high school acquaintance (friend would be too close of a descriptor for our knowledge of each other) reached out to me in a private message late one evening and we got rather flirty,” she said. “I knew even at the time nothing would come of it. I live in Pittsburgh, and he lives in a city on the West Coast. We have just about nothing in common. But it was a lively conversation and felt like a real connection at a time when I felt disconnected from everyone, even close family and friends.
“I allowed myself to dream for a moment about some alternate universe where talking to him again made sense, but of course we never did talk again. An isolated incident in a sea of isolation. I think ‘Grey’ is a relatable song for anyone who feels alone or cut-off from the world (whether intentional or not). It presents a glimpse of what it’s like to remember how to talk to another person when you’re sure you’d forgotten, however unlikely that conversation is to affect your life on the whole.”
Hackett filled in TribLive on what else we should know about Echo After 9:
Band: Echo After 9
Band members: Pete Giglione (bass); Sarah Greenwald (vocals); Justin Hackett (drums); Jake Lapergola (guitar); Dan Pryor (guitar)
Founding story: Echo After 9 came together through a combination of longtime musical friendships, chance connections and a shared love of alternative rock. Dan Pryor and I had previously played together in another band, The Elemental. When that band’s singer stepped away just a week before a scheduled show, we reached out to Sarah Greenwald for help. With almost no prep time, she learned six original songs in just days and absolutely crushed the performance.
Around the same time, I met Pete Giglione through our kids, who perform in School of Rock’s house band together. Sarah and Jake Lapergola also teach at School of Rock, creating another connection within the local music community. Dan, Pete and I began writing and rehearsing together before inviting Sarah to officially join the group. After writing a handful of original songs and finding our sound, we brought Jake into the lineup.
Origin of band’s name: We started kicking around the idea of using “Echo” in a band name because music has always felt like an echo calling us back … even as careers, families and life responsibilities have pulled us in different directions. No matter how busy life gets, the pull to create and play music never really goes away. The name also has a practical meaning: Jake and Sarah usually make it to rehearsal after 9 p.m.
For fans of: If you enjoy melodic, guitar-driven rock that balances nostalgia and energy, Echo After 9 may be right up your alley. Fans of Brian Fallon, The Smashing Pumpkins, Gin Blossoms and The Get Up Kids will likely find something familiar in our sound.
Influences: Our influences span several genres of rock music, which helps explain the variety of sounds found throughout the album “Sounds Under Cedar.” The artists that have influenced us as musicians include Jefferson Airplane, 13th Floor Elevators, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, The Police, Jane’s Addiction, Rush, Radiohead, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Alice in Chains. Echo After 9 blends the spirit of classic rock with the energy of alternative rock.
Releases: “Sounds Under Cedar” album, June 26, 2026; “Grey” single; “Commodore 64” single; “Lose It All” single
Next shows: June 11 at 31 Sports Bar & Grille, Bridgeville; June 26, album release party at Government Center, Pittsburgh
How to find them: The band is on all streaming platforms including Spotify.
Three other Pittsburgh area bands to check out: We’ll say two for our “first” shout-out: OrangeG (Sarah plays with them) and Mike Swindell (Justin drums for him); Normal Creatures; The Chomps
Favorite pizza shop: Alberto’s Pizza on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. However, we have to give a shout-out to Lebo Subs. While recording Sounds Under Cedar, we picked up sandwiches every day from them.
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