INTERVIEW: RUN iN RED — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

RUN iN RED

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TIME to speak with the mighty RUN iN RED…

about the single, Fade Away, and what its story is. I learn how the band got together and what the scene is like in Dublin right now; if there are new artists we need to look out for – they talk about gigs and future plans.

I discover whether the guys will come to the U.K. and what they hope to achieve before the end of the year; if they have favourite memories from their time in music; what advice they would give to fellow artists – the guys select a song each to end the interview with.

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Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?

Hi, Sam. Great, thanks. We’ve been getting all the final prep work done for Fade Away - the video and single - which we just released yesterday!

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

We’re a three-piece transatlantic band with members from the Dublin, New York and U.K. music scenes. We have a lot of experience in the music industry and are channeling that into RUN iN RED - to take it as far as we can. We released our debut E.P., The Revelled Theory Mind, in 2017 and are about to release our next single, Fade Away, on June 14th - and will celebrate that with our own show in The Sound House, Dublin on June 29th.

This will be the first single off our upcoming second E.P, Undercover, Overthrown. We like to describe our music as having an urgency and importance in realising one’s self in relation to the experiences life gives you. ‘Run’ represents urgency; ‘Red’ represents a passion for life: ‘Run in Red’.

What is the tale behind your latest single, Fade Away?

As you may already know, RUN iN RED is a transatlantic band with Neil being from Baltimore in the U.S. Fade Away was written about being homesick and in love at the same time and the choices you must make that will affect every bit of your life ahead.

Is there more material coming a bit later this year? What are you working on?

Yes! We plan on releasing at least one more single and video from our second E.P., Undercover, Overthrown, in August and are working to gain a slot at one of the later summer festivals. After that, we are releasing the full E.P. and will then be back to record again come the autumn.

How did RUN iN RED get together and start life?

Neil and Paul met through an audition and kept in touch with some rehearsals and writing. Following that, RiR started initially as a solo project with Neil, and then, by connecting with Paul again in 2016, the two started to record demo tracks and improve the sound of the band. Jim joined the band last August to complete the line-up and fill the sound - and we have been going strong ever since.

Dublin is where you are based. What is the city like for an upcoming young band?

We have a lot of previous experience in music scenes, in cities, all around from the likes of Baltimore, New York; Derry, Belfast and, of course, Dublin. The benefit with Dublin (is it) being a smaller city with a global reputation. We are able to cut through a lot of static media to reach people in this town who appreciate our music.

Do you remember the musicians that inspired you growing up? Are there any key discoveries that stand out?

We are inspired by good quality songs and production - songs that connect and make you feel something. Ones that you can still get something out of even after ten listens. Because we three have different backgrounds, it adds to the complexity of our sound. From Dave Matthews Band, John Frusciante; Beach House and Yeasayer to Pink Floyd, Radiohead; Primus, Jeff Buckley; Van Morrison, The Police…we could go all day!

Where are you heading on tour? Where can we catch you?

We want to capitalise on this new release by getting our name out there more and then work hard to get a slot at one of the later summer festivals in 2018. As we have a member from Baltimore in the U.S., and all have experience in the industry, we would like to get our music to audiences stateside as soon as we can. We have also been offered slot at a festival in Basle this summer.

Have you performed in the U.K. at all? Might we see you here?

We have two members from the North of Ireland and, playing in previous bands, we have played in Derry, Liverpool; Belfast and London - and will definitely be booking more dates in the U.K. this year.

What do you hope to achieve in 2018?

We'd love to gain a larger following through our releases and some support slots and then set up a modest autumn tour. Additionally, we will be recording our new tracks for release in late-2018. We have our own recording studio in Dublin city centre, so we are constantly writing and working on our music and stage show.

We have also started setting our studio space up to film a series of cover and original songs, primarily for our YouTube channel. We have built up a very strong following on Instagram, Facebook and Spotify as an independent act and will continue to grow that fanbase; planning to capitalise upon this with constant engagement, live shows and releases.

Have you each got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

Jim: My favourite gig ever was with a Blues band that toured the North of England. A friend of ours ran a little Staffordshire pub and we played the last night before he gave the keys to a new landlord. Seemed like the whole town turned up - it spilt out into the street and, as everyone nipped home for their instruments, we gained about a dozen extra members with harmonicas and brass, accordions and all sorts. Not so much a lock-in as a block party; until everyone fell over. Great night.

Neil: Performing in The Rock Shop in Brooklyn, N.Y. was a highlight because I spent time living in N.Y.C. and would always go and see my favourite bands perform there; then, one day, I found I was on stage…

Paul: Playing at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin as a relatively unknown act in 2013 was a great experience.

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

I think the Weeknd because I really like that tune, I Feel it Coming, and that guy seems pretty chill. U2 would be an obvious one, but to watch them closely and learn how they do things and bring their audiences on a journey would be amazing. Not to mention the opportunities and people you could reach.

As for the rider: a warm-up rehearsal room would be great…and then some basics; plus, alcohol and a PlayStation would keep us happy!

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Record any way possible, release often...and promote the hell out of your music. Don’t wait for perfection: get out and take the risk now. You can always get a nine-to-five again or play in a cover band - but some opportunities only come around once.

IN THIS PHOTO: Stone Sea/PHOTO CREDIT: Kelly Levacher

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Stone Sea, who we supported recently, as well as The Barefoot Soldiers and Daniel Sean Kenny.

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

At the minute, things are very full-on in the lead-up to the release and headline show so, right now, even when we’re not playing, there is constant work going on behind the scenes. We love it, though. When we do get time away it’s great to just do nothing and have no deadlines for a while.

Then, before long, we usually find we want to be back and playing! Neil was recently on holiday with his wife in Malta and ended up on stage at a gig at a show in Valletta - so that is a form of relaxing for us in itself!

Finally, and for being good sports; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Yeasayer - Henrietta