Hailing from the Glens of Antrim, Runabay is a six-piece band. They have been described as alt-folk or indie, but the intricate and adventurous nature of their songwriting means they rarely fit into predictable pigeonholes. Since the bands formation in 2014, they have strived to constantly evolve and develop their sound. To that end, this new track is a departure from previous releases, with a shift in sound and a changing aesthetic. Recent influences ranging from Daughter to Public Service Broadcasting have informed and modified their sound which now consists of shades of electronic, folk and indie culminating in a soundscape of intrigue and beauty. Right from the off, the riff from the new single grabs the listener and commences a journey through emotion and euphoria towards an epic conclusion.
Runabay have featured on and been championed by the likes of Steve Lamacq (BBC 6 Music), Tom Robinson (BBC 6 Music), Ralph McLean (BBC Radio Ulster) and have appeared on official high profile Spotify playlists of late, including Best of Indie Folk 2016, Alternative 2017 New Music Friday, Fresh Finds: Six Strings and Best of Ruby Sessions 2016.
They have also gained plenty of accolades including being nominated for ‘Irish Single of the Year’ in 2015, along with a string of glowing press features from Hot Press Magazine, ChordBlossom and Culture Hub NI.
The band’s live performances have been hailed as ‘joyous’, and with influences including Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes and Glen Hansard among others, 2018 promises to be a landmark year for the band. The band are set to release their debut album in early 2019.
“Blink of an Eye is essentially about putting yourself out there and getting shot down whilst trying to keep a brave face” explains frontman John McManus.“It’s a serious song with a kind of self-deprecating edge to it. The narrative is reminiscent of that old adage, ‘If you didn’t laugh, you’d cry’”. The video concept was borne out of the narrative that people have various personas they employ throughout the day, as a means of creating a barrier to their inner struggles. In this insta-age, where people strive to convey a perfect public perception, this video seeks to address this notion and makes the point that rarely are things as straightforward as they appear through the lens of a camera.
UPCOMING LIVE DATES
Dalriada Festival, Co. Antrim – 14thJuly // American Bar, Belfast – 26thJuly // Sunflower Fest, Co. Down – 27thJuly // Stendhal Festival – Co. Derry– 11thAug // Moira Calling, Moira – 8thSeptember
Website runabay.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/runabayband
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/runabayband/
Spotify https://soundcloud.com/runabayband
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/runabayband/
