CONNER EKO
Singer-songwriter · Astronomer · Bay Area, CA
Piano- and guitar-driven anthems with soaring vocals and big choruses. Conner Eko’s first full-length album, a cinematic indie-pop record inspired by the cosmic perspective, arrives in 2027.
Available for booking with The Cosmics (full band), as a duo, or solo acoustic.
Where It Started
My music career began in the late 1990s, when I was still in middle and high school. I played drums in garage bands, sat in with regional cover bands, and sang backup vocals and played percussion for the touring Western Pennsylvania blues band Black Cat Otis.
Earlier Projects
My first project, Dan Peluso Band, earned national attention with “Rabbit Hole,” which aired on Fuse TV and terrestrial radio and was placed on nationally distributed promotional compilation CDs. I then became the lead singer, synth player, and co-songwriter of the Pittsburgh indie pop-rock band Falling Andes. Our single “San Francisco” landed in regular rotation on 105.9 The X, and we toured regionally with songs like “Frantic” and “Start Again.”
The Detour
After high school, I was accepted to Berklee College of Music for songwriting. I chose a music business degree instead, which led to roles at Warner Music, Universal Music, and Island Def Jam Records. That detour kept going in ways I never expected: teaching high school science, helping discover exoplanets, and earning a Ph.D. in astrophysics in 2024. I used to regret not going to Berklee. Now I see the whole path, from record labels and high school classrooms to confirming the discovery of an exoplanet, earning my Ph.D. in Australia, and researching at the SETI Institute, as what makes my journey my own and gives my songwriting its depth and meaning. I’m proud and excited to share that journey with the world through original music.
Finding My Way Back
In 2021, a brain injury put most of my life on pause, and playing the old acoustic piano in my living room became one of the few things I could still do. Songs poured out. It felt like reconnecting with a long-lost soulmate, and it became the start of Conner Eko.
Conner Eko Today
As Conner Eko, I write piano- and guitar-driven anthems with soaring vocals and big choruses. My debut single “SINK” (2021) was remixed by Grammy-winning DJ StoneBridge and played on SiriusXM. In 2025, I released “Standing Up (Live in Studio),” a piano-driven power ballad about resilience and mental health, filmed live with a full band, and “A Farewell to Arms,” a Hemingway-inspired rock song featuring musicians from Japan, Brazil, and Portugal. Live, I perform with my band, The Cosmics, as a duo, or solo acoustic.
Music and the Night Sky
Today I’m an astronomy professor at Los Medanos College and a researcher at the SETI Institute, where I’m Co-Investigator on Celestial Harmonies: Connecting Skies, Cultures, and Communities. Guided by Two-Eyed Seeing, the project explores how astronomy and community sky knowledge can be shared through music and songwriting. In 2025, I performed my song “Our Skies” at Boise State University, the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, and the International Astronomical Union’s Symposium 399 in Melbourne, Australia.
What’s Next
My first full-length album, a cinematic indie-pop record inspired by the cosmic perspective, arrives in 2027. Part of it will be written during my summer 2027 role as Astronomer in Residence at a U.S. national park (announcement coming soon).
Featured Music Videos & Images
Peluso performing at 25th Street Recording Studios (Oakland, CA) as "Conner Eko" while recording a live-in-studio version of his new song, "Standing Up", set for release early 2025. Picture by Aaron Japzon (October 7, 2024).
Peluso as “Conner Eko” in the 2021 music video for “Christmas Morning Goodbye”.
Dan Peluso performing as “Conner Eko” at various shows in the Bay Area, CA and Pittsburgh, PA (2021-2022).
Rehearsing and recording music in home studio.
Peluso posing for the Conner Eko "Christmas Morning Goodbye" artwork.
Recording the song "I Didn't See You At All" live in the studio at the Vault Recording Studio in Pittsburgh, PA (2022).
Featured image from the "SINK" photoshoot with photographer, Joel Lawrence (2021).
Peluso performing a jump kick while performing the song “Castlevania” with Falling Andes at Webster Hall in New York City, NY (2012).
Peluso singing in “Dan Peluso Band” at Club Café in Pittsburgh, PA (2008).
Dan and Falling Andes co-founder/co-songwriter, Jordan Wood in 2010.
First Falling Andes show in New York City (2012). From left to right: Mike Boyer, Dan Peluso, Peter Natishan, Jordan Wood.
Peluso singing in Falling Andes at Brillobox in Pittsburgh, PA (2012).
Falling Andes at Stage AE. Pittsburgh, PA. 8 December 2012. Photo by Hugh Twyman. Band members from left to right: Toni Crough (Drums), Mike Boyer (guitar), Jordan Wood (keys), Daniel Peluso (vocals).
Falling Andes at Stage AE. Pittsburgh, PA. 30 March 2012. Photo by Chelsey Engel. Band members from left to right: Mike Boyer (guitar), Peter Natishan (drums), Mike Radage (bass), Daniel Peluso (lead vocals, keys), Jordan Wood (backup vocals, keys).
Recording vocals in my home studio.
Featured Songs
The above tracks were either written or co-written by me. I am also the lead singer on all tracks and played various other instruments in the recording (background vocals, guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, drum programming, sequencing, etc.) and helped with audio recording and production.
Featured Singles & EPs
Click on the artwork to be redirected to the bandcamp page for each release.
Conner Eko's May 9, 2025 release, “A Farewell to Arms,” delivers an upbeat, indie pop rock sonic story about Ernest Hemingway's classic novel of the same name. released May 9, 2025 Conner Eko - Songwriter, producer, lead vocals, rhythm acoustic guitar, piano Sérgio da Silva - drums (Portugal) André Vasconcellos - bass (Brazil) Davy Bergier - lead guitar (Japan) Audio editing: Yago Marques (Brazil) Mixed by Erik Medeiros (Denmark) Mastered by Luciano Vassão (Florida, USA)
This two-track release features a deeply personal introduction to Conner Eko's song ‘Standing Up,’ followed by the live performance of the track itself. In the audio intro, Eko shares the story behind the song, its raw and emotional origins, and the message of hope and resilience it carries. ‘Standing Up’ is a powerful anthem about overcoming life's darkest moments and choosing to rise, even when it feels impossible. It’s a song born from struggle, meant to inspire anyone facing their own battles to stand tall and seek the help they need. This release captures both the vulnerability and strength of the moment, offering a beacon of hope to anyone who needs it. The song was recorded live at 25th Street Recording Studios on October 7, 2024 with Conner Eko (piano and lead vocal) and a small group of excellent studio musicians (bass, drums, background vocals). credits released January 24, 2025 Standing Up (Live in Studio) Recorded live at 25th Street Recording Studios, Oakland, CA, on October 7, 2024 Music video directed by Aaron Japzon Standing Up written by Conner Eko Produced by Jacob Light of ModernTone Studios Production Management by Bridget Boyle Piano and lead vocals by Conner Eko Bass guitar by Paul Martin Sounder Drums by Rick Munoz Background singing arrangement by Marlo Goeller Background singing by Marlo Goeller and Angel Syriah Recording engineering by Gabriel Shepard and Chris Martsolf
Artist/Album/Release: Conner Eko / I Didn't See You At All / 9 September 2022 Info: Live in studio acoustic performance of the intimate song, "I Didn't See You At All", featuring falsetto vocals and powerful lyrical content. Recorded live acoustic at Vault Recording Studios in Pittsburgh, PA. Produced by Jimmy Hoyson, Isaac Sharp, and Conner Eko. Mixed by Jimmy Hoyson (6-time Grammy winner). Mastered by Mike Cervantes of Foxboro Mastering.
Artist/Album/Release: Conner Eko / Christmas Morning Goodbye / 3 December 2021 Info: An untraditional indie pop "Christmas" song about how saying goodbye to a loved one can be extremely challenging, but can also be a good thing (a "gift"), by allowing parties involved to open up new doors and "close the one with all their problems". Produced by Isaac Sharp. Mixed by Jimmy Hoyson (6-time Grammy winner). Mastered by Mike Cervantes of Foxboro Mastering
Artist/Album/Release: Conner Eko / Sink (StoneBridge Remix) / 3 June 2022. Info: Dance pop remix of "Sink" by Grammy-nominated producer, DJ StoneBridge. Received airplay on SiriusXM satellite radio. Executive producer: Rich Fayden Producer, mixing, mastering: DJ StoneBridge
Artist/Single/Release: Conner Eko / SINK / 3 August 2021. Info: Debut single from Conner Eko project featured in Spotify playlists and received digital press. Produced by Dan Peluso/Conner Eko. Mixed and mastered by Mario Borgatta (Foster the People, Death Cab for Cutie, Muse).
Artist/Album/Release: Falling Andes / Castlevania / 25 February 2014 Info: Recorded at Audible Images (Pittsburgh, PA) by Stan Kleja and Frank Soriano. Additional recording at Falling Andes' home studio and Frank Soriano's home studio. Produced by Falling Andes and Alex Smolinski. Mixed by Alex Smolinski (Butch Vig's Emperors of Wyoming, Lola Ray, Gym Class Heroes, Nada Surf). Mastered by Andy VanDette (Beastie Boys, David Bowie, Atomic Tom). Suggested Tracks: Castlevania, Follow Me, and Sunshine
Artist/Album/Release: Falling Andes / Frantic / 9 August 2011. Info: Falling Andes debut album. Produced by Falling Andes and recorded and mixed by Dave Hidek of Tree Lady Studios (Pittsburgh, PA). The first single, San Francisco, quickly garnered attention from music blogs, print publications, and college and AAA radio stations. The title track, Frantic, is the second single off the record.Suggested Tracks: San Francisco, Frantic, and Start Again.
Artist/Album/Release: Dan Peluso Band / EP / 1 September 2008. Info: First EP ever written, recorded, and released. Features the successful single, Rabbit Hole, which received radio play and other significant exposure. Produced, recorded, and mixed by Chris Olszewski. Mastered by Garrett Haines, Treelady Studio, Pittsburgh, PA, 2008. Suggested tracks: Rabbit Hole, Believe, and Letter Back to You.