MICHAEL RUNION LIVE REVIEW @ THE WIRE MUSIC & ARTS VENUE

Wednesday night, nestled along the quaint streets of downtown Upland, The Wire Music & Arts Venue hosted a night of music free of pretension; a welcome respite from the often-jaded masses in attendance at some LA shows. Fresh off their sold out night at The Bootleg Theater, Michael Runion and Gold Motel treated the all ages crowd to a two-hour block of solid indie pop tunes.

Los Angeles native, Runion has long been present on the scene; playing with Rilo Kiley, JJamz, Conor Oberst & the Mystic Valley Band and such and it’s evident that his time with these indie touring mainstays has lent itself greatly to his solo work.

Having seen Runion in other incarnations over the years, I was looking forward to seeing him accompanied by a full band, and I must say he didn’t disappoint. Opening track “Til We Have To” has been a Future Sounds fav for quite some time, having made it into the “Top 5” on FS Radio on WOXY in 2009. Layered guitars, soaring vocals and overall twang add up to legit alt-country indie rock.

A genuinely talented lyricist, Runion’s set was peppered with cuts of the folksy 2008 release Our Time Will Come, as well songs from The Tour EP.

The stripped down version of personal favorite “Our Time Will Come” was the highlight of the set aided by a gently strummed guitar and hushed melodies. Runion’s got that whole sensitive charmer thing down pat, the kind of dreaminess that makes you feel as if he’s singing just to you and for the ladies that’s never a bad thing.

All in all, it’s evident that Runion inhabits the space between sensitive hipster crooner and Laurel Canyon influenced rocker, skillfully manages both. Side note, Runion also holds the auspicious honor of portraying Fernando in Jenny Lewis’ kitschy video for “See Fernando.” A must see.

Next up was Gold Motel, led by singer Greta Morgan (formerly of jangle-pop band The Hush Sound), who charmed the crowd with her effervescent stage presence and aplomb. Gold Motel’s self-titled EP has been on heavy rotation amongst bloggers with Morgan’s sweet 60's tinged pop recalling simpler musical times.

A relatively new outfit, with only 11 shows to their touring repertoire, this Chicago based band displayed a genuine enthusiasm apparent to the rest of crowd. Keyboard friendly tracks display shades of early Kate Nash, especially on “Don’t Send the Searchlights” and “The Cruel One.” Flourishes of country twang also work their way into these frothy girl pop confections like “Make Me Stay.” Closing the set with current single “Perfect in My Mind,” a classic ode to girl groups of the past, with a melody guaranteed to stick.

Overall, The Wire should be commended for exposing some small town Inland Empire kids to a night of good music and two artists most definitely on their way to bigger venues and greater acclaim.

Post by Veronica Pulcini

FUTURE SOUNDS ON WOXY PLAYLIST 8.03.09

Today's Playlist

Future Sounds on WOXY.COM #34 - 8.03.09

Little Dragon – My Step – Machine Dreams – Peace Frog

Andy Clockwise featuring Lady Tigra – Animal Kingdom – Woo Hoo – Fly Music

Lilofee – Possession – The Only Years – Unsigned

Chris Garneau – Fireflies – El Radio – Absolutely Kosher

Lights – Can You Hear Me – Rites – Drag City

BREAK

The Ettes – No Home – Danger Is EP – Take Root Records

Little Fish – Darling Dear – Demos – Universal Motown

The Radical Sons – Wolves in Sheep Skin – Demos – Unsigned

Spiral Stairs – Cold Change – The Real Feel – Matador Records

O. Children – The Illest Hall Of Fame - Demos - Deadly Records

BREAK

Portugal. The Man – Do You – The Satantic Satanists – Equal Vision

A Million Years – By Yourself – Incandescent EP – Unsigned

Derek White – Golden Age – Demos - Unsigned

Writer – Start A War – Blood Drops – WriterDie

The Brothers Movement – Standing Still – The Brothers Movement – Rocket Girl Records

BREAK

THE RUMBLE: SEATTLE

The Blakes – Ivory Walls – Souvenir – Unsigned

U.S.E (United State Of Electronica) – Emerald City – U.S.E – Unsigned

Battle Hymns – For Arlene – Hidden Reservations – Unsigned

BREAK

THE RUMBLE: PORTLAND/SAN FRANCISCO

The Upsidedown – Light (Pete Intl. Airport mix) – Human Destination – World’s Fair

A B & The Sea – Yellow Haired Girl – Demos – Unsigned

Company Of Thieves – Oscar Wilde – Ordinary Riches – Wind-Up Records

BREAK

THE RUMBLE: LOS ANGELES

Chief – Your Direction – Demos – Domino Recordings

Princeton – Leonard Woolf – Bloomsbury – Kanine Records

Cheetahsaurus – Jacked Rabbit – Get Poor Or Die Trying – Unsigned

BREAK

THE RUMBLE: SAN DIEGO

The Growlers – Soul Of Coral – Greatest sHits – Unsigned

Apes of Wrath – Wide Awake – Apes Of Wrath EP – Unsigned

Lights On – There’s No Reason – Here Comes The Ocean – Unsigned

BREAK

THE HOT 5

Mini Mansions – Majik Marker – Demos – Unsigned

Sam Stewart – Six Little Days – 10 Songs – Unsigned

Michael Runion – Til We Have To – Our Time Will Come - Unsigned

Your Nature – Cherokee Blood – Your Nature EP - Unsigned

Kid A – wasnotwas – In A Dream House, We All Ride Carousels – The Lab

END OF PROGRAM