Want To Know How to Be Positive Despite Criticism? How to Encourage while Entertain? Check Out RunnerRunner
In 2008, five musicians gathered in Huntington Beach, CA to start a new project for all of them. It was a pop/rock band called RunnerRunner. Members Ryan Ogren, Peter Munters, Jon Berry, Nick Bailey, and James Ulrich came from their respective previous endeavors including Rufio, Over It and Don’t Look Down. They named the new band after a poker term. “After the flop comes out – if you have the better hand than I do I would need to go runner runner on the last two cards that come out,” says Nick. “It basically means beating the odds. We apply that to music because there’s so many bands and artists that go unheard. We’re also really good track runners,” he adds.
I had the chance to chat with Nick for a bit on the phone a few weeks ago. While our time was short due to another interview I was on the way to, I was able to get some information from him on how the band started, what they stand for, their new record and what drives these guys to keep making music. He’s a super personable guy and “hanging out” as he called it, was quite enjoyable.
The band is currently gearing up for their tour with Good Charlotte, then one with A Rocket To The Moon, and then a slot on Bamboozle. They’ll be playing brand new songs of their debut self- titled full length that dropped on Tuesday. Skeptical if you want to purchase the songs? No worries. Head over to their site and stream the album for free. Now there’s something that doesn’t happen very often.
In case you hadn’t heard before, RunnerRunner enjoys being rather unconventional. What happens when users on one of the biggest music sites continually tears a band apart? Well, I’d guess either retaliation or retreat. Not so in this case. When AbsolutePunk members continually bashed RunnerRunner’s musical style last year, the band got smart. They started an ad campaign featuring a 47 second video of Nick delivering a very pointed, effective message.
“A lot of critics and music lighteners are so quick to give a negative opinion or talk trash about someone they don’t like,” he told me. “They way to look at it is that music is an amazing thing – so go find the stuff you like and love and enjoy it and the feelings that good music gives you. Some people are just unhappy in life in general because they dwell so much on the negative. It’s important to realize that music is subjective. I just, I’m a positive person. We’re a very optimistic band and fueled by positivity.”
This positivity continues to translate into the bands’ songwriting process. For example, “Dedicate,” one of the tracks on the new album, features the story of Nick’s cousin and his suicide. The lyrics employ listeners to look at the world from a different perspective and not lose hope, while still being incredibly sensitive and empathetic to the situation. “Things can be okay,” Nick says of the song. “You just have to keep believe there’s a lesson and keep praying.”
With the band’s busy tour schedule, chances are they’ll be in a city near you…or at least within a few hours and a mini road trip. So why not grab some friends, pile in and go for it? Each night is sure to be a good time with the bands’ energetic and passionate show. “We just really want to entertain people, so come out and see us play and have a great time,” Nick encourages. “Ryan is a pretty funny guy so he likes to tell some jokes on stage. We get people laughing and having a good time and want to sound good and make people enjoy themselves.”
Tour dates can be found HERE. Enjoy!
