Interview – Running Red Lights

Running Red Lights is an indie band based in Toronto, Canada.  The band consists of Scarlett Flynn on vocals, Kevin Howley on vocals and drums, Dave Puzak on guitar and Jeff Carter on bass. Put them all together and you get a sound similar to that of Fleetwood Mac, with it’s own unique spin and it has been said that the bands sound is changing on a constant.

If you have yet to hear this band, I recommend you head to their website right now, and give them a listen.  Their style is very unique and I especially enjoyed Mulberry Love and How Your Silver Shines. http://runningredlights.com/music/

I’d like to say a big thank you to Scarlett and the rest of the band for agreeing to a virtual interview with me!

Scarlett, the band has been together for seven years, how has the band changed through the years? 

SF: I think the easier question is how HAVEN’T we changed. lol! The short and obvious answer would be to say we’ve aged. Aged enough to know which beat of the drum to step to and how to unapologetically fight for the little voice inside our head.

How did you come up with the name Running Red Lights?

SF: In the kitchen of our former managers house one afternoon 6 years ago. Due to a foreseeable copyright issue we had to change the name we’d been using. We spent hours pouring and agonizing over numerous possibilities & eventually settled on Running Red Lights. At the time it had no particular significance but over the years it has come to imply backbone & perseverance despite the perennial monkey wrench (or in this case a STOP sign).

Through the years, what is one thing that stands out for you in your music career?

SF: Tough question. Over the span of what seems like an infinite career I’ve been sinfully lucky to have had many ‘stand-out’ moments. Playing ET Canada’s New Years Eve celebration to a crowd of 30,000 people was pretty terrific. The release of our debut full length album to vinyl in September of this year is sure to be a pretty heart-rending moment as well.

What is your favorite song to play live?

SF: Mulberry Love. I get to beat the hell out of the drums.

I love the lyrics for Mulberry Love, can you tell me the meaning behind it?

SF: The word ‘Mulberry’ struck me as ‘interesting’ while I was reading a composition by poet Sylvia Plath. The word ‘Mulberry’ incited visions in my memory of messy red stains on suburban sidewalks from the falling fruit of a Mulberry tree. This can be an unfortunate ordeal for anyone trying to keep their sidewalks tidy. However, Mulberry is also a sweet and delicious fruit. Eventually the complexity of the Mulberry began to establish a metaphor in my mind. The woman in the narrative is uncommonly desirable and difficult to resist but is absolutely destructive to anyone who gets caught in her mess. Mulberry Love is like a tree in Central Park in December. Beautiful and Cold.   

Who would you love to tour with in the future?

SF: Saskatchewan Singer/Songwriter Andy Shauf. Alabama Shakes. Any one cool, creative and complementary.

What role do you think that social media plays in the music industry these days?

SF:Social Media has caused a fundamental change in the way the world communicates and is absolutely compulsory in the music industry today. It is a remarkable tool for independent artists and has given us the opportunity to access, interact and connect to audiences that had previously been beyond reach. Social Media plays such a major role it would take some time to discuss at length but specifically as it applies to Running Red Lights, Social Media has been the catalyst to a lot of exposure, promotional & performance opportunities and the introduction to new friends…including YOU!  😉

I think that about covers the background portion of this interview, now, let’s dig deeper!

What is something that your fans would be surprised about each of you?

SF: I swear like a F*&%kin’ sailor

KH: I use to sport a serious mullet. I was a tribal Motley Crue fan. Tommy Lee is my inspiration.

JC: I have a PHD in NeuroScience

DP: Most things I say come not just out of left field, but from out of the ballpark. Go Jays!

What is the first album you bought with your own money?

SF: Rumours. Fleetwood Mac

KH: Led Zepplin IV

JC: Led Zepplin IV

DP: The first album I bought was either Def Leppard ‘Hysteria’ or Run-D.M.C. ‘Tougher Than Leather’. I attribute this odd mixture of music to my brothers influence. I think I still have those tape cassettes somewhere….

What is the last concert/ live show that you attended (as a fan, not a performer)? 

SF: Patrick Watson at Massey Hall, Toronto

KH: Joshua Van Tassel at Lula Lounge, Toronto

JC: Neil Young & Crazy Horse at the ACC, Toronto

DP: Leonard Cohen at the Wang Theatre, Boston.

NOW for this or that! I like to include this in each interview I do, because it’s fun!

Coca Cola OR Pepsi?

***Kevin bullied his way into this line of questioning.

KH: Almond Latte

SF: White Chocolate Pistachio Rosewater Latte

Chocolate or Peanut Butter?

KH: Reeses Peanut Butter Cups

SF: Chocolate

Cats or Dogs?

SF: Cats

KH: Cats AND Dogs and turtles and monkeys and horses and unicorns

Television or Movies?

SF: Youtube

KH: Project TV

Facebook or Twitter?

SF: Twitter

KH: Instagram synced to Twitter syned to Facebook

Batman or Superman?

SF: Superman

KH: Batman

Morning or Night?

SF: Night

KH: Night

Do you have anything you’d like to tell your current and future fans?

RRL: Thank you! Thank you! Fans nurture and cultivate our passion and enthusiasm to create. Running Red Lights is climbing a very steep road and our fans continue to give us the inspiration and motivation to push on. They are the greatest ally we have and we are so deeply appreciative for their support and loyalty.