Welcome to The Musicrunner Club
Your destination to interact with the world's most interesting music.
Sweet New Sounds From Black Honey
If you can’t make up your mind on whether to listen to Nancy Sinatra or Nirvana: lovechild Black Honey demands to be heard. With their retro film-inspired aesthetic, the British quartet transports you to the movie set of their world.
No Place Like Home: Aquilo
Originally from the quaint village of Silverdale in the North of England, the duo Aquilo stumbled upon fame after years of playing in rivalling rock bands. With the release of their debut single, “Calling Me”, people started to really listen.
FRONTRUNNER Gets to Know…Yuno
While he works on his debut album, FRONTRUNNER spoke with Yuno about his latest single, “January’s Somebody”, self-production, how he took music from his bedroom to the stage, and more.
Discussing the End of the Earth with The Sherlocks
British rock is not going anywhere but up, and The Sherlocks are here to show you why. With anthemic alt-rock choruses, they are a festival
The Live First Mentality: FRONTRUNNER Interviews Sports Team
Throughout a long series of pinch-me moments, Sports Team has remained true to their uni-band roots. Night after night, they’re doing the impossible: filling arenas and stadiums with the energy of a tightly packed frat party.
Loose Buttons: Just Guys Being Dudes
Loose Buttons released their debut album, Something Better, right before COVID-19. With the world unraveling, the band used lockdown to learn and grow.
Belters Only: It Was Inevitable
Belters Only, whose name needs no explanation, is made up of Bissett and RobbieG. They stem from the same club in Dublin, and both have been in the house music scene for over a decade.
Lights, Camera, Action Bronson!
Action Bronson. A rapper, writer, chef, and television presenter. He chats with us his paintings, his past, and his album, Only For Dolphins.
Music That Heals: Ensemble Mik Nawooj
The world can be full of so much pain and suffering that we can’t control. Maybe music can be a cure. That’s what hip-hop orchestra Ensemble Mik Nawooj aims to do: alleviate suffering with music.
Demons Meet Disco in New Project: Child of the Parish
Beginning a new band is no easy feat under normal circumstances, let alone starting one mere months before being thrown into a global pandemic. This
Better Days with The Night Café
Whilst beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, Vincent Van Gogh himself described his piece The Night Café as his ugliest painting ever.
FRONTRUNNER exclusive: The Magic Gang
From their student house in Brighton to some of the UK’s biggest stages, including the likes of Glastonbury and Reading & Leeds, The Magic Gang
Good Conversation(s) with Zein Gowie
This interview, much like Zein’s music, brims with a humble energy that comes hand in hand with being true to oneself. Zein Gowie is a
Coming Up Next: Fickle Friends
Nobody likes fickle friends who are temperamental and inconstant, but it’s a different story when it comes to euphoric indie-pop band Fickle Friends. There’s nothing fickle
Getting to the Source: Nubya Garcia
Nubya Garcia is an internationally renowned saxophonist, composer and bandleader. She speaks to FRONTRUNNER about her latest album, Source, the discipline it takes to honour your talent, and appreciating your “bubbles of goodness.”
New Vistas on the Horizon
Scotland boasts having one of the best music scenes in the world, and has been home to countless great rock bands like Franz Ferdinand and
Michl: Lyrics Are Everything
Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Michl has a reflective sound that you can’t help but soak in. With every listen, you stumble on a beautiful lyric that you can’t believe you missed.
Sinéad Harnett: The FRONTRUNNER Interview
London-based singer Sinéad Harnett is an R&B gem that everyone should discover. For our Spring 2020 Cover Feature: Harnett speaks to FRONTRUNNER.
Kathleen: Poetry With A New Heartbeat
Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Kathleen gives poetry a heartbeat. Her sophomore EP Kathleen II pulls you in with folk guitar chords and melancholy melodies.
FRONTRUNNER Meets Delta Spirit
A little bit rock, a little bit indie, lots and lots of smashed expectations. Sixteen years, five albums and countless successes later, California-based band Delta Spirit charges forward.
Being the Hero of Your Story: Raissa
London-based singer Raissa talks about her latest EP HEROGIRL, inclusivity, and the importance of traveling in building her process.
The Power of Place With Terra Lightfoot
When trying to find the words to describe Terra Lightfoot, the best word I can think of is “badass”. In a world where we don’t
Khai Dreams Gives FRONTRUNNER Good Advice
Do you ever feel like life is a movie and we’re all just trying to find the perfect song for the important moments? Khai Dreams’
Getting Tidy with Samm Henshaw
British singer/songwriter Samm Henshaw has one of those rich voices that reminds you of dessert.
Tayla Parx: The Power of Believing in Yourself
We were introduced to Tayla Parx in the film Hairspray (2007), when “Little Inez Stubbs” sang and danced her way into our hearts. The Dallas singer is now all grown up.
Anna Of The North: Nurturing Quiet Dreams into Something Beautiful
Sometimes the softest, quietest of dreams can transform into the most promising realities. And in an age where success is often measured by relentless comparison
Delving Deep with Peter Cat: The Saccharine Underground
Scottish musician and performer, Peter Cat debuts his LP, ‘The Saccharine Underground’ on the 6th of November. FRONTRUNNER was kindly given a listen of the
NYC’s Brass Badasses: Lucky Chops
Lucky Chops is a band full of badass brass players, who rose to international fame as they were captured busking on the New York City Subway.
A One-On-One With Dizzy, The Band
Meet the Juno Award-winning pop group Dizzy, featuring lead singer Kate Munshaw and trio Alex, Mackenzie and Charlie Spencer.
An Exclusive Interview with Conductor Karina Canellakis
An exclusive interview with London Philharmonic Orchestra guest conductor and classical music trailblazer Karina Canellakis.
Gimme Some Sugar: Alex G
Alexander Giannascoli is better known by his stage name, Alex G. His music is often characterized as indie rock with a lo-fi or “bedroom pop”
Arlo Parks: The Power of Poetry in Music
Once in a while, an artist arrives who may not realize their own skill and insight. 19-year-old singer/songwriter/poet Arlo Parks is one of those artists.
Dancing Through the Darkness with Kojey Radical
Kojey Radical’s art is craftily contagious. The British Ghanian rapper, artist, dancer and director shares his trials and successes with FRONTRUNNER.
To Love Is To Live: Jehnny Beth
Jehnny Beth is a musician, singer-songwriter and actress. She’s half of the French lo-fi duo John & Jehn and frontwoman for the English rock band, Savages.
FRONTRUNNER Runs With Sondre Lerche
FRONTRUNNER goes running with Norwegian singer-songwriter Sondre Lerche, where he describes the unexpected pleasures of bootleg albums and ambient music.
Doing Music His Way: Rap Veteran Cormega
Rap is two things: a fire beat and an MC with something to say. Rap veteran Cormega brings that simplicity back, using intricate rhymes to do it.
Matt Sweeney: The FRONTRUNNER Interview
FRONTRUNNER meets guitarist/producer/vocalist Matt Sweeney, who has collaborated with the likes of Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond, Will Oldham and Iggy Pop.
A Conversation with Colombiano Artist ¿Téo?
¿Téo? is a Colombiano music artist associated with his brother Moises Arias and Jaden Smith via their clothing brand/creative collective, MSFTS Republic.
Ansley Simpson and Anishinaabe Traditions
Ansley Simpson is a member of the Aldverville First Nations. The Toronto based Anishinaabe singer-songwriter is known for her lilting vocal performances.
Meet Two-Spirit Musician Shawnee
Shawnee is a two-spirit Mohawk singer-songwriter that uses her soulful music as medicine and to inspire social change.
Elijah Bank$y on Life as a Muse for Music
Orange County based-rapper Elijah Bank$y drips with soulful beats and clever similes. His album 50*40*90 blasts a New York vibe with music visuals to match.
Christina Schneider Becomes Locate S,1
Christina Schneider, in her world of brilliantly disruptive fringe-pop music, has taken on a handful of monikers. Now, she is known as Locate S,1.
LISSIE: Songs For Our Time
Elisabeth Corrin Maurus, known as LISSIE, is a musician with authentic and genuine talent. Type “Lissie” into YouTube and you will likely be equally moved by her solo performances of her songs with acoustic guitar and vocals as those with her full band in a studio.
Transition and Connections: Meet Spencer.
New York virtuoso Spencer. is living, breathing, beat-making proof that achieving your dreams starts with the ability and willingness to take risks.
Dustin O’Halloran: The FRONTRUNNER Interview
Dustin O’Halloran is an accomplished composer with a scoring discography featured in films such as The Hate U Give, Lion, Marie Antoinette, and more.
Hop Along’s Frances Quinlan: Songwriter, Painter, Traveler
“The more you do something, the more freedom you feel to go outside the lines,” says Hop Along’s Frances Quinlan.
Folk Duo Rosu Lup Present An Antihero’s Journey
In the words of producer and member Jonathan Stewart, “Great folk stories… are the ones that come from a real place, for better or worse.”
Haleek Maul on Errol: the Album and the Man Behind It
Barbados has blessed us with a lot. Flying fish, Rihanna, beautiful beaches, and (on my personal list), Haleek Maul. Born in Brooklyn but raised in Barbados, Haleek is introducing the world to his trap-infused sound that has a Barbados twist and twang.
Madison McFerrin on “You + I” and The Vital Importance of Keeping It Real
It’s easy to make sense of the fact that Madison McFerrin seems so comfortable on stage–she comes from a family full of performers. There are a lot of things about her that could hook you the first time you see her onstage.
Meet Uh Oh: The Nebraska Band Battling Loneliness
Joe Champion, lead singer of Uh Oh, asks, “In such a gross and weird world, what can we do to make each other feel less alone when it’s natural to drift apart?”
Lessons From The Road with Nilüfer Yanya
Nilüfer Yanya released her genre-bending debut LP Miss Universe in late March 2019, and the month prior she set out for a whole year’s worth
Naïka Creates Her Own Brand of “World Pop”
“I use singing in different languages as a raw representation of my roots. It’s who I am. My background isn’t linear,” says Miami-born singer-songwriter Naïka.
BENEE Takes FRONTRUNNER To Marzz
BENEE’s quirkily titled STELLA & STEVE EP beams with dreamy grooves that complement the more sugary sweet pop of FIRE ON MARZZ.
Music Becoming Mantra: With Yoke Lore’s Adrian Galvin
“Everything natural moves and changes and grows and develops,” says Galvin. “So why shouldn’t songs?”
Emmavie On Confidence, Identity, and Her New Album, Honeymoon
“There’s so many faces to Blackness. There’s so many different colors to Blackness. The message is straightforward: you need to know your worth.”
A Reminder From Brooklyn’s Ever-Growing Stolen Jars
A Stolen Jars song is a delightful thing to swim in: an indie pop sound so thoroughly arranged it engulfs you.
On Next to the Sun, KAINA Examines Life’s Layers
“I can’t be expected to be just one thing. There’s so many parts of me.”
That’s Soul Music: Talking with Seratones’ AJ Haynes
AJ Haynes is the lead singer and songwriter for the Louisiana-based band Seratones, whose first album is an infusion of Southern blues rock and punk.
Propel Into The Rest of Your Life with Kid Bloom
“Pop music has always been this animal that I can’t wrap my head around… if it’s done right, it’s the essence of music.” – Lennon Kloser, a.k.a Kid Bloom
Exploring the Gold Within: Ian Ferguson Talks New Album
Rising rock star Ian Ferguson’s tunes blend Southern sounds with rock and roll. His latest album, State of Gold, melts harmonies with a nostalgic Nashville vibe.
Between Light and Dark: duendita
I had read that duendita believed God was within, and that a prayer between her and God could be the same as a conversation between her and a loved one. As I watched the man with the locs sway to the music, I thought that perhaps this is what duendita’s music is about.
Channel Tres’ Music Could Lead People To The Promised Land
MoMA PS1’s Warm Up is an annual summer music festival that lifts up the voices of innovative and underrepresented artists. One of the many artists who took the stage–or, dare we say, owned the stage–this year was Channel Tres.
Finding Beauty In Every Small Piece: Meet Swedish Vocalist KLARA
Swedish singer-songwriter KLARA finds strength in simplicity with her music; it is intentionally sparse and envelops the listener in a sighing, meditative mood. Even her visual accompaniments match this bare aesthetic.
Plastic Picnic’s New Album Vistalite Lights Up The Beach with 80’s Pop
“Our focus was on writing songs and enjoying the process while making sure we were challenging ourselves to grow as songwriters. We had to shed the skin of the first record and understand the new mental and emotional state we were in,” says Brooklyn-based Plastic Picnic.
Leven Kali on Low Tide and the Dopeness of Music
Low Tide splashes with a West Coast funk and embodies the energy of a summer dance party.
Quenton Clarke’s Wolfelt Is Born of Self-Improvement
Wolfelt is the electronic project of Quenton Clarke. When he isn’t writing and performing original songs, Clarke works as a music therapist for a hospice company in Maryland.
From Orkney to the East End: FRONTRUNNER Interviews Erland Cooper
It was hard to imagine that the creation of the first two instalments in a triptych of records by Erland Cooper, which so perfectly captures the essence of the Orkney Islands’ (Scotland) wildlife, was created in a bustling environment such as London’s East End.
FRONTRUNNER Meets Tyler Ramsey
FRONTRUNNER speaks with Tyler Ramsey about his new album and the important relationship between quiet and creativity. He also told us about his favorite guitars, the satisfying flexibility of solo touring, and his friendship with Carl Broemel of My Morning Jacket.
A Project Falling Into Place: Reminiscing and Radiohead with Portland Cello Project
The cello is the most like the human voice, in range (from bass to soprano), the rich timbres–and it feels like you’re dancing with it when you play it. Meet the Portland Cello Project.
Translating the Emotions of Sound With Vritra
While some artists are pushing social norms, LA-based rapper and producer Vritra is ramming them with chill monotonic rhymes pillared by unconventional beats.
The Heat of Home and How To Heal: With Nashville’s Erin Rae
Musically, Erin Rae’s new album subtly blends Country elements with those of Indie rock and folk, and skilfully parallels warm evenings, sunsets, and June-bugs of her lyrics.
Etienne Charles and his Latest LP, Carnival: The Sound of a People
For his latest LP Carnival: The Sound of a People, Etienne Charles goes to the direct source of his sound to explore the invigorating sounds
Barrie On Their New Album and Why They’re ‘Happy to Be Here’
When you listen to Barrie you may feel like you’re slow dancing at a lightly-lit dance in a Stranger Things episode. Or perhaps roaming the
Talking “Plans” with Ritual Talk
When people get up, move and dance around at our shows, I feel like the name Ritual Talk really springs to life.
Brooklyn-Based Caroline Lazar Announces New Honey EP
Caroline told us about her songwriting inspirations and gushed about her beloved pet cat. What kinds of things were you grappling with while writing
Bad Bad Hats Have Sweet Sweet Dance Moves
Ahead of a sold out show at Music Hall of Williamsburg on March 1, Kerry gave us some insight into what makes the band tick:
Connecting with Old New York: An Interview with Beechwood
Beechwood members Gordon Lawrence, Sid Simons, and Eric Carney seem to exude the raw downtown energy that old-school New Yorkers claim died decades ago.
Two New Solo Tracks From Antibalas Drummer Miles Francis
When New York’s Miles Francis released his first solo EP, Swimmers, in February of this year, he had already played the drums in several noteworthy ensembles. In addition to being a former member of Afrobeat group Antibalas, he has also toured with Arcade Fire’s Will Butler and performed on stage with Angelique Kidjo, Amber Mark, Sharon Jones, and more.
DC’s Tracksuit-Donning Trio RDGLDGRN Battle A Ninja in “Clapback”
The narrative sets the tone for a new adventure that the band will undertake during the course of LP3’s release.
Get To Know Atlanta Rockers Gringo Star
We have always loved trying to pull from as many different sounds that we like in the hopes of always making something that feels fresh to us
Wilder Maker’s Gabriel Birnbaum On Zion, New York, and What’s Next
Women Dancing Immortal was written almost unedited in one sitting, but that’s rare for me. Usually it’s work, and usually there’s a bunch of garbage attached to the stuff I need, and I have to write the garbage first to get to it.
On Dreams Past, Present, and Future: Interview with The Little Miss
When you listen to the music of The Little Miss, it can feel like you’ve entered a time warp to a “simpler” time.
Interview with musician Allie Crow Buckley
A natural muse, Allie has a breezy West Coast energy and a cool combination of fortitude and fragility that leaves you wanting more.
Minneapolis Rap Duo Four Fists: Power in Collaboration
Their long-awaited full-length album 6666 comes out on October 12, and this summer they have released three singles from the album, most recently the dynamic and hilarious “Dork Court.”
Doran Danoff: King of Crown City
I think King of Crown City definitely shows my love for vintage styles like funk, soul, R&B and jazz. I grew up listening to everything under the sun.
Cellist Gabriel Royal Premieres “Tough Love,” Speaks on Busking and Spontaneity
Yeah! I can write a song about anything, and it kind of depends on the mood you’re in and the people you’re around.
Moon Revenge Premieres “The Notes/Arrived” Ahead of September Album Release
“The Notes/Arrived,” which will close the album, starts abruptly with jazzy violin-plucking and then transforms into wistful, intimate piano that builds among cymbals and brass to a grandiose, ceremonious ending.
Neo-R&B Artist TIN Premieres “Yellow Gem” and Talks Identity, Performance, and Art-Making
The name “TIN” couldn’t have been more perfect when I realized it actually meant one thing in English and another in Vietnamese. It mirrors the duality of my identity by being both Vietnamese and American.
Interview with Samantha Clemons: Never Mind Smoke, Something’s On Fire
You can only get better by doing, and your peers can be your best motivators. Also, inspiration comes much more easily when you’re creating with other people. Be generous with your time, and look for ways to contribute to the creative community.
standards’ New EP Is A Refreshing, Balanced Listen
All of the sonic possibilities of the guitar opened up to me, and I began looking for different ways I could play multiple parts on the guitar at once.
Introducing Cautious Clay: Producer, Songwriter, Multi-Instrumentalist
I kind of stumbled on the name RESONANCE from its double meaning: sonically it’s a characteristic in music, as well as harkening back to places and emotions felt about something.
Interview with emerging songsmith Rich Krueger
The world is a wonderful, joyous, inspiring, brutal, unfair, damaged, beautiful place. It’s replete with unending hope and never-ending suffering.
J Bengoy Explores The In-Between Moments in Dogwood Winter
J Bengoy’s music is the kind of sunshine that makes you a little tired. It’s a solo ice-cream outing because you just need to leave the house.
Introducing Juliet Quick’s Changeling EP
Brooklyn musician Juliet Quick’s poetic storytelling has always found a cozy home among textured string instruments, ever since her first releases two years ago under the name Juliet K.
Sis Unfurls Their Musical Moonsail
San Francisco musical collective Sis was born out of the artistic restlessness of singer and composer Jenny Gillespie Mason, a self-proclaimed “former folkie” who decided she wanted to record new music on a OP-1 synth.
Interview with the soulful musician Macy Todd
It’s unfortunate to feel so deeply sometimes, but it’s worth it when I can write about it and learn more about myself for the greater good.
Interview with Stephen and Quinn of West Coast “Lon Lon”
I truly believe that a band should have a driver; someone has to be at the helm establishing an aesthetic.
Natti Vogel: Captivating, Charming, Comedic
With a musical presence that captivates, the lyrics and musicality of pianist and singer Natti Vogel are unique, unmatchably creative and stylistically comedic. His music
Frances Rose: Sister Synchrony at its Finest
Frances Rose represents feminism, non-conformist identity, brutal honesty, and most important: love.
the YeahTones: Yay for Rocking, Yeah for Beats
Well all those songs came out of so much frustration and anger I was feeling at the time towards many systems that we live with today. We have an education systems that pressures very young kids (and their parents) to go to the “best schools” then charge $200k+ to attend with basically negative guarantees of opportunities when you finish…
Interview with Betty Moon
I typically have a melody in mind when crafting my lyrics, as the message is more impactful if both the words and music come from a deep, personal place.
First Blush: Charles Sekel Interviewed
Painstaking, but rewarding. Charles Sekel interviewed on the music of First Blush.
Interview with Brooks Brown: Young Wonder
Living in Kansas was a hinderance at first, but being so separated from what I thought
was the “place to be” in music pushed me to meet some people outside my sphere and get out
of my comfort zone. The dynamic is so much different when you’re collaborating in person
versus online. In person, picking up someone’s style, vibe, charisma, etc. is almost
instantaneous.
Rosi Golan: Music of Time and Place
My favorite thing is when you write a song and you don’t realize what it’s about yet and then in hindsight you realize you were processing something you were going through at the time.
Mojave Red: Leading Houston’s Psych Scene
The real magic comes out when we finally have a chance to sit down and knock out the recording.
JD King: Timeless Charm
JD King is many things. He’s a multi-instrumentalist (he taught himself how to play the bass, saxophone, and flute at a young age), a photographer, producer, a sartorial vision from another era.