Run the River Unleashes a Timeless Rock & Roll Anthem with “Punch the Dark” – A Sonic Journey That Will Get You Grooving
Get ready to groove with another timeless rock & roll track brought to life by Run the River, featuring Joel Manchester on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Chris Furlotte on drums, Rick Couture on bass with fantastic backup vocals, Ed Legge on lead guitar and excellent backup vocals, and Ross Kinney on keys.
Out now, “Punch the Dark” stands as an anthem for bad days. The track commences with a dramatic opening driven by piano and guitars, giving you that span of a second to wonder what the next instrumental twist will be – exactly where the cheerful melody with classic rock & roll elements gets all your attention.
With a chorus that screams “No, I’m not giving up this time”, “Punch the Dark” is close to the heart for frontman Joel Manchester.
“It is an anthem for bad days, difficult experiences, and insurmountable odds when you just need to sing out that things aren’t over yet”, explains the singer and songwriter.
Joel penned this song as a response to his own struggles with mental health, specifically battling through periods of depression and the weight of negative thoughts. He aimed to create a chorus that could serve as a remedy for those poisonous, pessimistic mindsets. The song’s theme contrasts with its overall feel—upbeat, positive, and bright.
‘Sometimes I can feel the earth spin
It’s like I’m barely holding on
I’m heading off into some kind of chaos
Any plans I had are dead and gone
It might be my last time around
But I’m not giving up without a fight
Sometimes you gotta show em what your made of
Punch the dark until you see the light’
It’s crafted in an energetic pop-rock style, featuring powerful guitar work and a determined, rhythmic heartbeat that underscores the message of resilience – a Run the River formula. Drawing inspiration from a diverse array of musical influences, their sources of inspiration span the enduring legacy of Canadian rock icons The Tragically Hip, the timeless rock of Queen and The Beatles, and the rebellious spirit of 90s pop punk exemplified by bands like Blink 182 and Green Day.
Never shying away from experimenting with genres and letting that influence shine through, the band confesses to being obsessed with the writing process and rarely gets together without several new tunes in the works.
Frontman Joel Manchester infuses his music with raw emotion, believing it to be not only a form of expression but a tool for survival. He focuses on crafting simple yet powerful melodies that resonate instantly with listeners, complemented by the dynamic sounds of his bandmates. Drummer Chris Furlotte provides a steady rhythmic backbone, while Rick Couture’s masterful bass lines complete the solid foundation. Ed Legge adds a burst of colour and flavour with his lead guitar wizardry, and Ross Kinney’s expressive keys serve as the enchanting musical cherry on top.
Emphasizing contagious melodies, an unwavering commitment to excellence, and commanding vocal prowess, Run the River emerges as a dynamic force in the realm of Canadian rock bands. Their essence is rooted in a profound passion for sharing music and a collective desire to harmonize through the beautiful journey of life by pouring their hearts into their songs. Keep up with Run the River (add service here).
Care to introduce yourself?
Hi, my name is Joel Manchester and I’m the frontman/songwriter for Run The River, a band based out of Fredericton, New Brunswick. I’ve been writing songs for as long as I can remember and creating and connecting is my passion. I started recording myself and my song ideas on an old tape deck (I’m dating myself here) that my parents owned when I was four years old. I was lucky enough to grow up in a musical family where singing around the campfire was commonplace and my dad recorded gospel albums every few years which gave me a glimpse into the studio process. I immediately fell in love with the power of music as a form of expression and a tool to bring people together and foster healing. I’ve since played in several bands and started the current project, Run The River in 2020, which allows me to keep working towards the ultimate goal of sharing music and spreading positivity as far and wide as possible.
Tell us about the process of recording “Punch The Dark”?
Punch The Dark was recorded at Barrytone Studios by Jason Barry who is an industry pro, multiple award winner and guitar player for Dean Brody. He has become a great mentor and friend to us. We went into the studio with some work still left on the song but I knew I wanted it to have an old school rock and roll vibe with a simple easy to sing chorus and upbeat positive energy. Jason was instrumental in honing in on the nuances that we should punch up (no pun intended) and helped us polish the song and realize it’s full potential. It was a dream come true being in his studio and even hearing the early mixes had us all dancing around the control room!
What it like being musicians in Fredericton?
Being musicians in Fredericton is both rewarding and challenging. The musical community here is small but very supportive and alive with passion! We have some great venues and promoters who are always willing to go to bat for new and emerging artists and the camaraderie between local bands makes it feel like we are all working together to grow the scene versus competing against each other. The challenge sometimes, is that New Brunswick can feel far removed from a world where music is a viable career option. That is quickly changing though, with some great musical champions in the region pushing to open doors for all of us!
Who was the first and most recent Canadian artist to blow you away?
One of the first Canadian artists/bands to blow me away would be Gord Downie/The Tragically Hip, his ability to craft a beautiful poetic journey with his music and give a voice to those who need representation showed me that music can be a medium that affects positive change in our communities as well as a form of art and expression. Gord’s stage presence was something magical to watch and he was able to convey emotion with every inch of his body which was hugely inspirational. There are so many great Canadian artists that have recently blown me away! I love what The Arkells are doing with their social media. Using it, not only as a place to share their photos and show schedules, but as a way to connect with their audience in a unique and authentic way!
You’ve been making music for a bit of time now, what’s one piece of advice you can offer to those starting out?
My one piece of advice to those starting out with writing or sharing music is, just do it! Don’t overthink it at first, let it flow in a way that speaks to you, feels right and trust that the world needs your voice and your perspective.
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