It’s high summer! And with that our thoughts turn to our concert at Left Hand Brewing in Longmont with the folk and bluegrass-inflected Americana of Two Runner on Saturday, August 15.
Fronted by singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Paige Anderson, Two Runner won GemsOnVHS’s “Gems in the Rough” competition a few years back. – think NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest but more roots-focused. The win put a well-deserved spotlight on the band, and as with most cases of “overnight success,” Paige was more than ready for the moment thanks to a musical upbringing.
Swallow Hill is fortunate to present Two Runner twice this summer – though once will be opening for Watchhouse at their sold out Denver Botanic Gardens concert on July 26. If you can’t catch them there, please join us at Left Hand Brewing in Longmont on August 15!
TICKETS: See Two Runner with Alexa Wildish at Left Hand Brewing in Longmont on August 15
To learn more about Two Runner, read on in our Q&A, conducted via email while Paige and the band were on the road.
Off the bat I always like to ask an artist how they’d describe themself. What can audiences expect at a Two Runner Show?
Two Runner shows are sweet, rowdy, genuine, you can dance, you can chill, and you might cry and you will probably get a good laugh here and there.
A lot of folks first heard of Two Runner a few years back thanks to your stunning, fan favorite video for “Late Dinner” on GemsOnVHS. In some ways that may have made you an “overnight success” to the outside world, but you’ve had a very musical life and you were clearly ready for that moment. I guess my question is, how did you develop your very timeless or even old-time sound? What were the inspirations behind that?
Two Runner started 5 years ago, but music has not been an overnight success by any means. I’ve been playing music since I was 9 years old in my family bluegrass band (Anderson Family Bluegrass). We toured starting at a very young age. The band consisted of my mom (bass), dad (banjo), sisters (dobro/fiddle) and brother (mandolin). I grew up in Nevada County, CA, was homeschooled, and traveled in a 26’ travel trailer with the family. It was a very fulfilling way to grow up and I wouldn’t be here without that experience today! (Q&A continues after the video.)
I read that you have a new album coming out this summer. Can you tell us about that and when its release date?
Yes! We are very excited to be releasing our first full length album, Porchlight on Gar Hole Records on August 28th.
You have some opening slots for Watchhouse this summer, including a sold out concert at Denver Botanic Gardens produced by Swallow Hill Music – do you prepare differently for shows at larger venues, or is it just the next show?
It has truly been such an honor and joy to tour with Watchhouse. They’re such a fantastic crew of people. I’m so excited for the Colorado shows! This will be our first time at Denver Botanic Gardens, love an outdoor summer music setting very much. I would say no matter what the size of the venue is, every show is different. Sometimes I’m a little more nervous, and sometimes a little less. I have overwhelming feelings of gratitude every time I’m playing a show and that’s something that never changes.
You’ve explained your name Two Runner was a bit of an inside joke, Why did they make a 2 wheel drive 4Runner? … But I saw in an interview that you genuinely love to go off-roading. Do you get to do much of that these days? Are there any places in Colorado on your off-roading wishlist?
I LOVE off-roading and have done a bit of it in Colorado. Black Bear Pass, Imogene Pass, Ophir, but I haven’t done it in a few years but am already excited for when the timing works out to do it again! There’s a good amount of it too in the Sierras in California, and anytime I have off touring I always like to include a yee-haw time in the mountains.
Who are you listening to these days that you find inspiring? Anyone that your audience might find surprising?
16 Horsepower is one of my favorites. From Denver! I saw they were touring again after not for so long and was in Europe at the same time, (but) I missed their show by a day. Love Neko Case, Lucinda Williams, and am inspired by folks I see on the road everyday 🙂
TICKETS: See Two Runner with Alexa Wildish at Left Hand Brewing in Longmont on August 15