MyMusicMonthly: Run Toto Run

I have decided that SaveOurShoes could get a bit interactive and have some regular features here (along with outfit posts and lusting).. So without further ado...

MyMusicMonthly is going to be a lovely interview or random bit from a band SaveOurShoes really likes and thinks you should like too. And what a better way to start than asking the great band Run Toto Run a few questions.

I have already mentioned this band before... And I finally saw them live after gate-crashing a birthday party in Camden (long story). We sang along even though we didn't really know the words...(Another long story).

Rachael and Matt kindly answered my questions..

So RunTotoRun, how would you describe your music to us?
Matt: We would describe our music as super awesome-o music but that's a

genre we just invented and probably not all that informative. Popular
opinion, on the other hand, has us down as electro pop.

SOS: What inspires you? Your music? Your colourful videos?

Matt: We're quite into the aesthetics of music at the moment, the idea that the words and notes are a line drawing, and the sounds and delivery are the colour. It's probably why we enjoy covers so much - I mean who doesn't love a nice bit of "colouring-in" :) with that in mind; our musicial inspirations are the goosebumps that cover your arms when the perfect bassline kicks in under the sidechained synth pads that have gradually built to a frenzy as the seemingly innocuous sounding verse has become this dancefloor shaking beast of thing without you realising and you can't help but nod your head. We also like pictures of kittens.

SOS: In honour of LFW, would you like to perform for any particular designers? Or just sneak in to have a peek (My email ate some emails so this question should have been put up a month ago..stupidspamfilter)?

Rachael: I think we're magpies when it comes to clothing and there's no particular designer we'd pick to play for, when it comes to stage attire I think a lot of the time in the past we've fallen into the category of costume, we've toned it down a teeny bit of late, but I was making peacock feather wings and adapting all sorts of things to look that bit more special on stage. We're really interested in working with some young designers, in terms of off stage I admire the classical simplicity of designers like Chanel, but on stage we'd ideally bring a bit of drama and flair so we're very interested in collaborating with some exciting young designers with a vision for stage attire, something you'd never see walking down the street.

SOS: What kind of show would you like to put on (no budget restrictions!)?
Matt: We've worked with a string section before, and if money were no object it'd be really cool to musically explode the whole thing -drummer, a variety of acoustic and electric instruments, a steel drum orchestra (pro tip: one of those things would make me vomit blood) and then get some mad live visuals going on, elaborate "the knife"-style costumes, and of course an unusual venue... like a cathedral or train station or something...

SOS: Is there anyone in particular you would like to dress you and the band?
Matt: David Bowie - boys got skills yo. If he could make us look a tent

as awesome as he does we could die happy.

SOS: Who influences your personal style? Is there any particular person's wardrobe you would like to raid (fashion music or anywhere!)
Rachael: I'd say currently we're being dressed by Chorlton Oxfam and a little help from a haberdashery and a sewing machine, but as above we're really very interested in trying some new designers work.

SOS: Do you read blogs? Any favourites (bar us of course!)?
Matt: We're loving FUC51, its seems to be causing quite a stir, also breaking more waves is another good 'un, la blogoteque(?) Is great for its 'take away shows', then its gotta be paint my album, failbook and photobomb :D

SOS: If we asked you to DJ for us, what 5 tracks would you play?

Matt: We'll dj for you any time sos! Being forward thinking, new music
types we'd probably start with a bit of "discovery - so insane", then maybe a little "yeasayer - ambling alp", folllllowed by "caribou -odessa" then we'd throw in some of our good pal "totally enormous extinct dinosaurs - sickly child" and seeing as though it's the last song of the night (and we have an obnoxious streak) we'll finish on a bit of "dj scotch egg - scotch bach"

SOS: House is burning. You can grab 5 things!
Matt: Keys, wallet, cigs, phone, cd's - let the rest of it burn, we're insured

SOS: Would you like us to mention anything else?

Lots of lovely press bits...

"Brilliant electro from Manchester's best-kept secret"

XFM top 20 artists to watch in 2010

"Like Sufjan Stevens going mad with samplers and keyboards"
The Manchester Evening News

"A curious mix of anti-folk and airy, Postal Service-indebted electronica"
The NME

""Run Toto Run have spent the last few months having their name bandied around, mainly as one of the new bands you'll be hearing a lot more of in the future, and by the sort of DJs and publications people trust on these matters."
CMU DAILY

"A delightful blend of high tech and lo tech acoustic and marvellous song writing"
Tom Robinson-BBC 6Music

“Their Hype Machine-topping version of Passion Pit's 'Sleepyhead' points to sound musical brains: RTR’s big break may not be far off. ”
NME Online

“ We love everything that is layered around Rachael Kichenside's immaculate vocals”
Record of the Day

"A great little record"
Steve Lamacq about Plastic Gold.

"Reminiscent of an electronic Belle & Sebastian or a modern-day St Etienne...everyone here appears to be completely under her spell, dancing like loons. "
The News of the World.

“Lead singer Rachael Kichenside has the single most beautiful voice you are likely to hear this year.
The Liverpool Echo

I can't recommend these guys any higher. Now, go listen and dance. We have their demo on repeat in our kitchen. Coming soon to a festival near you.

Peace!

Fi xx