New Run Toto Run single + demos

So, I heard you guys asking, what's been going on with DNC favourites Run Toto Run? Well they've been putting some fancy new demos up on their myspace for a while now, with a bold new direction in mind.

Usually when a reviewer says "bold" it's like when something is "interesting" and not necessarily good. This is definitely not the case, the new tracks are capital BOLD and also really amazing.

The new direction is more electronic and more ballsy, tending towards Yeah Yeah Yeah's latest territory, and is exemplified perfectly in brand new single Hater.

Check out this and their more recent demos on their myspace.

Also below is their cover of Bombay Bicycle Club's "Always Like This".

Run Toto Run & Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs @ Be@Proud Galleries, Camden, 15/08/2009

Tonight settled a short-held ambition to go to a gig at the Proud Galleries at the old Horse Hospital in Camden, and the opportunity to see DNC favourites Run Toto Run, as well as previous recommendation Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs.

Run Toto Run kicked off tonight's "Be@Proud" to a swelling crowd, a member short and recovering from a bout of (possibly pig-related) flu. As well as ably showcasing their Plastic Gold EP, including new single "Catch My Breath", there's a couple of new tracks being debuted here and they're pretty damn good.

The new tracks, both newly arranged around the loss of a member, continue where the strength previous material left off, combinining the avant-garde electronica of the criminally underrated Metronomy with the toytronica sounds of Psapp. The only trouble comes from the venue itself giving the Manchester band a taste of support-band-itis - tonight's symptoms involving the synthesised bass sounds bottoming out, making the PA sound like the abused speakers from an eighteen year old's Vauxhall Nova. While the vocals are thankfully unaffected, this time.

Although clearly unsettled by the internal problems they've faced in the last couple of months, the band are soon in full swing before the set is cut off all too soon, only to be revived with an unintentional encore of their cover of Passion Pit track "Sleepyhead" after the DJ cut them off early. But overall, a solid set from a band who can only get better and better. I even enjoyed "Full Stop".

Myspace

Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs head to the stage next. Or rather, one guy in a boiler suit with a laptop. The beats start out cheesy, and not in a post-modern knowing sort of Chromeo way, but in a "Back 2 The 90s" "Ministry of Sound Anthems" kind of way. But dwelling on the modernity of the music is clearly not the intention, this is music that you can't do anything but dance too.

The set continues to improve and impress, throwing in the odd remix into his oddball mix of SMD electro and summertime house. Ultimately though, I can't help but feel that an album of this, as demonstrated by Diplo, is a little too tough to handle entirely sober and will not break anyones pre-conceptions just yet. Not that he is pretending to.

Myspace

Run Toto Run remixed by Magic Arm

Yes yes, I've given Run Toto Run quite a bit of blogspace recently, but this is all entirely justified, I promise. They've let slip to the blogosphere a sneak preview of new single Catch My Breath (due out mid-September) with a remix by fellow folktronica fella (geddit) and Manchester co-habitant Magic Arm.

While you should expect a feature on their debut album at some point in the future, for now you should definately check out what he's done to Run Toto Run; in their own words, he's made them "sound like Dizzee Rascal".

Have a listen:

MP3: Run Toto Run - Catch My Breath (Magic Arm Remix)

REVIEW: Run Toto Run - Plastic Gold EP

This review is being written in the post-Glastonbury malaise of once again ogling hours of footage both on TV and online and still managing to miss millions of bands I wanted to see, and then promising myself that I'll definitely go next year.

So when I received a copy of Run Toto Run's self-produced EP, released by the lost and lonely singles club, I couldn't wait to hear something that wasn't introduced by Jo Whiley.

Lack of Whiley-ness aside, the EP is nothing short of fantastic, with every track capable of leading and not a bum note within its 17 minutes of wholesome Indie-pop goodness.

Opener and lead track "Plastic Gold" seems to cross paths with Australian twee-mongers Architecture in Helsinki without loosing touch with the listener, maintaining a hushed intimacy through lead singer Rachael's cautiously fun vocals, sitting just right in the mix to balance them with the upbeat music behind.

"Good Coat" is my personal favourite, sounding like Lemon Jelly's summery electronica made all the more accessible.

"Catch My Breath" brings together the softer side of Crystal Castles with the toytronica of Psapp, linking Xylophone and grimey chiptune beat in perfect harmony. A perfect example of the many layers within Run Toto Run's music, each instrument remaining distinct yet still producing a lush soundscape.

Their self-control is evident in the more stripped down "Breakdown", with instruments whispering alongside Rachael's vocals before the rest of the band join her in glorious harmony.

The ballad of "Alice" is the perfect closer to this thoughtful and enchanting EP, which leaves an impression far greater than its quarter hour length. Each song is as lovingly crafted as the last, beckoning the listener further and further in with their summery tunes and positive beats. Twee without overpowering, summery without being sickly sweet and positive without being preachy.

On top of this is the band's general good humour, taking the time to get in touch with this lowly reviewer and coupling the EP with a hand-written note despite the band themselves earning the attention of the national press and some radio airplay.

(Oh and the by the way guys, it wasn't me.)

9/10

Plastic Gold EP is out now and availiable via the band's website www.runtotorun.co.uk.

The B of the Bang and Run Toto Run @ The Fat Fox 11th June 2009

This somewhat late review is testament to the fact that I've not been in a very musical frame of mind of late, but had a quick chance to go to my first (and thanks to the end of university, last) gig at the Fat Fox's live music night the Hong Kong Gardeners Club.

First up to an audience somewhere around eight, and almost begging them to come closer, was Lonely Joe Parker, whose solo acoustic set while entertaining, was largely forgettable. (This may also have been because it was about 2 weeks ago.)

Myspace

Next up were The B Of The Bang, launching their album at the show, and showcasing it at length. Amongst the folk-tinged tracks performed by the collective, they also held a meat raffle and had a full unplugged singalong in the front row. Decked out looking like Miami Vice, frontman Wit has the crowd in his hands for the entire set, stopping short of inviting the entire venue onstage.

Myspace

Eventually, to an unfortunately emptier room, Manchester's Run Toto Run commence their hastily re-scheduled gig. Their stripped down folktronica and determination to avoid anything largely resembling traditional rock instrumentation has found a fan in this reviewer. Where some bands use this multi-instrumentalsim as a pure gimmick, the violin and flute are used sparingly, almost leaving you begging for more. The only downside being new track "Full Stop", which largely sounds a like the soundtrack to a drunk clown falling down some stairs in a Chuckle Brothers' show. Apart from this there is more than enough here to sell me their EP, and expect a review of that here soon.

Myspace