Run Boy Run plays Historic Cowee School Concert in Franklin, Aug. 22

Bluegrass and folk band Run Boy Run, based in Arizona, will perform at the Historic Cowee School Concerts in Franklin on Saturday, Aug. 22.

Press release from event organizers:

August 22: Historic Cowee School Concerts, 51 Cowee School Rd., Franklin, NC
7 pm, $15

Existing comfortably in the tension between tradition and the musical frontier, Tucson five piece Run Boy Run blends bluegrass, folk and the old timey American vernacular with touches of classical and turn of the century details. Their new album Something to Someone, released October 28th on Sky Island Records, has been praised by Performer Magazine, All Music Guide, PopMatters, The Guardian, and others. The album was recorded at historic Bear Creek Studios in Woodinville, Washington with producers Ryan Hadlock and Jerry Streeter (The Lumineers, Brandi Carlile, Elephant Revival), whose attention to detail shines in Run Boy Run’s multi-voiced and multi-stringed arrangements. It’s no surprise that the band counts Garrison Keillor of NPR’s ‘A Prairie Home Companion’ and renowned Irish fiddler Kevin Burke among their growing legion of fans.

The band is brother and sister Matt Rolland (fiddle, guitar) and Grace Rolland (cello, vocals), sisters Bekah Sandoval Rolland (fiddle, vocals) and Jen Sandoval (mandolin, vocals) and bass player Jesse Allen. With three strong female voices, singing separately or in harmony, and deeply rooted familial connection to traditional American music, Run Boy Run didn’t come lately to their sound; it’s in their collective blood.

The unique sound of the band is rooted in the traditional music of the Appalachian South, continuing a sense of innovation in traditional American music put forth by bands such as Nickel Creek, Crooked Still, and The Wailin’ Jennys. Run Boy Run continues this journey into music that is dynamic, orchestral, and brimming with beauty. Three strong female voices weave a tapestry of sound, and the award-winning fiddlers cut a path for a tightly formed rhythmic front. Every arrangement is – at its core – captivating.

From winning the band contest at Pickin’ In The Pines (mere weeks after forming in 2009) and a special appearance at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival in 2012, to two appearances on NPR’s ‘A Prairie Home Companion’ (host Garrison Keillor was also impressed enough that he penned the liner notes to the band’s debut album), they were tagged by Paste Magazine as “One of the top 10 Arizona bands to hear now.” They’ve been making fans across the U.S. with their open-ended musical approach and dynamic stage presence, and will take that live show back across the country coast to coast this summer and fall.