By Eric Frank
July 13, 2024

Greg Ormont of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong performing on stage with pink and orange swirling lights

The Personal Side of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong

When I first spoke with Greg Ormont over a decade ago – bright-eyed and bushy-tailed on what was perhaps the band’s first tour out west, their musical careers a blank slate in its nascent stage – the concept of balance seemed almost foreign to him.

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong consumed his life, the scene had engrossed him, and life was constantly go go go! Prioritizing anything else was largely out of the question. Of course, that drive and dedication has been the fuel that has run the PPPP engine for some fifteen years now. But time has a bona fide relationship with change, and with it, Ormont and his fellow fowl have matured significantly.

Today, Greg Ormont version 2024 finds himself tweaking the balance between family and music amidst the band’s near-constant growth, a lineup change, and countless shows, festivals and tours. There’s a lot to look back on, a lot currently happening, and a lot to consider for the future.

Ormont generously took time to chat with me for COjam’s inaugural episode of Eternal JamNation, our new video podcast series that selects musicians, artists, and industry pros to discuss their music and its impact on their respective local communities. If you or someone you know is interested in appearing as a guest on Eternal JamNation, please head over to our Sonic Portal™.

Here’s what Ormont had to share.

Balancing Music with Family

Greg Ormont of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong performing excitedly on stage in front of red lights

Life on the road is a balancing act with the responsibilities (and joys – let’s not forget the joys!) of parenthood. Income is tied to being gone and the consequence is a dual responsibility that pulls simultaneously in opposite directions. It’s a struggle that even small-time local musicians have to contend with, let alone a musician of national acclaim.

“Balance was not something I talked about in almost anything in my life,” recalls Ormont, “[but] there is no perfection in balancing family life and being a touring musician.”

Ormont, like many in the biz, has a natural proclivity for making others happy. He draws energy from both a joyful audience and the happiness of his family. But even the most ardent people-pleasers can't satisfy everyone all the time. For Greg, maintaining open communication with both his bandmates and family has become a crucial skill to hone for managing this ever-evolving balance. It’s never perfect, but it helps keep everyone aligned.

Jeremy and Greg and Little Pigeons

Jeremy Schon and Greg Ormont of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong in black against orange backdrop

One of the key factors in Pigeons Playing Ping Pong's success is the chemistry between Ormont and his longtime bandmate, Jeremy Schon. The two met on the first day of school at the University of Maryland and have now been playing together for over fifteen years. Kinda bro-mantic, eh?

“My life changed entirely when I met Jeremy,” recalls Greg. While Schon introduced Ormont to the world of jam music, they now together navigate parenthood, as Jeremy and his wife have two children of their own.

“It’s nice to be able to do it together,” shares Greg. It’s just this type of parallel growth that can solidify a band, thus ensuring their continuation as a unit. Because, on the flip side, divergent life paths are all too often a recipe for a band’s dissolution.

Fun fact: baby pigeons are called squabs.

How Many Albums Do Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Have?

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong have built an impressive discography since their inception, including a collection of seven studio albums and two live albums. Their studio journey began with Funk E P in 2010, followed by Psychology in 2014, both self-released and reflecting their early exploration of psychedelic f-u-n-k.

Onward they flew, releasing Pleasure in 2016 (I think I wrote a review of this album back then, but can’t seem to find it) and Pizazz in 2017, each contributing to their growing reputation for high-energy, feel-good music. The band maintained momentum with Presto in 2020, Perspective in 2022, and their latest effort, Day In Time, was released in April of 2024.

Greg Ormont of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong holding guitar in recording studio pointing at camera

In addition to their studio work, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong have also captured their rip-roarin’ live performances on two live albums: The Great Outdoors Jam (2017) and Stop Making Cake: Halloween 2019 (Live in New Haven, CT), released in 2020. These live recordings capture a moment in time along with their unique ability to connect with their audiences — The Flock, as it were.

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong performing on large stage with multicolored lights to large audience in parking lot

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong: Day In Time

Released on April 26, 2024, Day In Time marks the seventh studio album from Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and represents the next chapter in their evolving sound and life-path.

Produced by the band in collaboration with Steve Wright, the album genre continues to deliver the energetic, uplifting, and downright funky party music that fans have come to expect. But as Ormont details, PPPP have explored new sonic territory, a wider dynamic range, and themes outside of their fowl-based table-tennis norm.

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong Tour

Greg Ormont, Jermy Schon, Ben Carrey and Alex Petropulos toured heavily during the summer of 2024, teaming up with fan favorites Andy Frasco & The U.N. and up-and-comers, Dogs In A Pile, out of New Jersey.

Members of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Andy Frasco & The U.N. and Dogs In A Pile performing live

“It’s controlled chaos, man!” Ormont reveals. The tour proved to be a rowdy trifecta, rivaling most festivals in terms of length, sit-ins, and sheer energy (I mean, have you seen these bands?!). Make sure to watch the full video for Greg’s recollection of the tour’s best moments.

Greg Ormont of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong singing lovingly to Andy Frasco playing organ

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong have announced an exciting string of shows to close out 2024, with a total of 17 performances across 11 different cities. The tour kicks off in Naperville, IL, on October 25 and concludes with a two-night run in Pittsburgh, PA, on December 30 and 31.

The band will be joined by a number of talented supporting acts throughout the tour, including Kendall Street Company, who will accompany them for several dates in cities such as Indianapolis, Nashville, and Washington, D.C. Other supporting bands include Yam Yam, Residual Groove, Polyrhythmics, Underground Springhouse, and Mihali. With a mix of standalone performances and support from these incredible artists, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong's 2024 tour promises to deliver the high-energy, feel-good vibes that fans have come to love.

Jam Cruise 21

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong are scheduled to play Jam Cruise 21 in February of 2025. Joining them on the bill are STS9, Snarky Puppy, Thievery Corporation, Galactic, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Andy Frasco & The U.N., The Nth Power, and a host of other heavy-hitters in the jam community.

Viva el Gonzo

Rounding out their current string of shows and solidifying one helluva start to 2025 is Viva el Gonzo, a 3-day extravaganza set in San José del Cabo, Mexico. In addition to Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, the musical getaway is set to include Goose, The War on Drugs, Tycho, Mihali, Eggy, Andy Frasco and more.

Flock n’ Family: The Balancing Act of Pigeons’ Greg Ormont