Last Friday night, Dave and I went to The Port Mahon in Oxford to watch Manchester band Run Toto Run.
I was looking forward to seeing them play live, as I had listened to a couple of their tracks and liked what I heard, and in all honesty, it was their name that first drew me in.
Another draw for me was that they were playing at The Port Mahon. I hadn’t been to the old pub in awhile – there were some shaky moments when the pub closed and we weren’t sure what was going to happen to it and the live music that we occasionally frequented, but luckily for us music lovers, the new owners have continued to keep the music alive! Bands and acoustic acts play upstairs – and it’s an intimate room, which I like.
We arrived in time to see Oxford band E 4 Echo. Charismatic frontman Deano and the band played “indie folk with dashings of punk”. There were a couple stand-out songs, the bass was solid, and the band was entertaining – with members changing instruments occasionally from ukulele to trumpet and cello, keys and melodica.
After their set, I gave Deano my details and he sent me more information about the band. They have a new single, set for release nationwide in October via Crash Records. The band has been together since October 2009, they’ve played all around Oxford, Southampton, Reading and are playing Camden Underworld on the 21st November, 2010. For more info. go to: E 4 Echo MySpace; E 4 Echo on Facebook
After a short break, Run Toto Run took to the stage.
Band members are Rachael (vocals, drum pads), Mike (synths, backing vocals) and Matt (electronics, occasional violin). Their sound is electro – and the innovative music that they were creating was a first for me to experience in the rustic Port Mahon. A brilliant contrast to the surroundings.
Rachael’s gentle and endearing vocals along with the creative placement of various electronic blips and melodies that emitted from the keyboards, satisfied my hunger for needing to hear something “different” when going out to see a live band.
We were all lucky to have witnessed the magical sounds of Run Toto Run in such an intimate setting. Instances like this could become rare for this band – as they gain more fans, the venues that they play may soon begin to get larger and larger…
Highly recommended.
More info: Run Toto Run interview
Run Toto Run 1st photo credit: Ted Park
Run Toto Run 2nd photo credit: Karen McBride
Run Toto Run MySpace
Run Toto Run Official Website
By: Jenny May
