Runnner - “Ur Name on a Grain of Rice"

SXSW 2022 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 3

Pairs Well With…Bright Eyes, Death Cab For Cutie, Sufjan Stevens

While Runnner’s music starts in a quiet, indie folk space, his songs have an ability to erupt with chamber-pop and classic-rock ambition at a moment’s notice. Merging dynamic and melancholic themes, Runnner’s sound can be deep and moving, or lightly, naturally delivered. The LA-based artist uses a variety of instrumentation including horns and banjo, accenting his songwriting that ranges from sweet ballads to borderline power-pop across his 2021 debut full-length Always Repeating. Consistently pretty and mostly in a pretty relaxed space, Runnner finds a way to make his music interesting and ever-changing through these lush instrumental bursts. It’s unique for an artist to take such a layered approach with Americana-based music and it pays off - Runnner blends pop, rock, electronic and folk influences with measured grace throughout his emotional, impactful tracks. Check out Runnner alongside other Run for Cover Records artists Mini Trees, Sadurn, Sun June, and waveform* at The Velveeta Room Wednesday night. (Kevin McStravick)