A brief chat with Run Boy Run

Arizona bluegrass-influenced band Run Boy Run plays the Walnut Room in Denver in June, so we spoke with Fiddle man Matt Rolland.A

Yellow Scene: When did the band form, and what was the mission?

Matt Rolland: The band started back in 2009. We formed in Tucson, and all of us were students at the University of Arizona. The goal back then was to play old time string band music. We all love that Appalachian style of music. We started out playing old time tunes on front porches. But, as the band solidified into the current lineup, we started writing our own music and playing around with the instrumentation. The band started to develop and change. It evolved into something that has roots in bluegrass music, but it’s more about folk songwriting and three-part female singing. I’d say that the goal, the mission, has changed over time but back in it’s origins, it was very humble in nature.

YS: Who are your main influences?

MR: Within the genre, a band called Crooked Sill. They’re a great band that reinterprets old music, and they also have a cello in the band. Also Nickelcreek was a big influence on all of us early on. Also, the Wailin’ Jennys and, maybe a little bit better known, Alison Krauss has been a big influence on the girls.

YS: Do you like playing Colorado?

MR: We love Colorado. It’s been one of our home bases away from home. The band, in many ways, got its kickstart by winning the Telluride band competition at the bluegrass festival back in 2011. Ever since then, it’s been a really good source for us to keep coming back year after year. We played Denver a number of times and we get up in the mountains whenever we can. We’re happy to be coming back.

YS: What are the plans for the set?

MR: We’ll be playing songs from our newest release, Something to Someone, and this it our vinyl release tour so we’ll have vinyl for sale. We’re doing songs from that album as well as new material that we’re working up for the next album. We’re always looking to the future. Expect to hear a lot of three-part female singing. We have three strong female singers. Also our signature not-quite-bluegrass string sound.

YS: When this tour’s done, what’s next?

MR: We’ll be touring most of the summer. We have a break, and then we’ll go back out on the road for two months in early August. We’ve been touring the country since October. We’ll start working on a new project late fall/early winter.