Run Gazelle Run

Funk-and-soul-influenced rock from the fields of Southern NH took over the Middle East Downstairs on a recent Friday night.

Run Gazelle Run, a five-piece act with tinges of progressive rock, reggae and folk, jammed their way through an hour-long set as part of an eclectic night of local music at the Middle East.

Infectious energy and a big stage presence define the up-and-coming act, which features brothers Ezra, Walker and Owen Landis.

With their set up, also including lead singer Tim Ahern on acoustic guitar and Ben Ruddock on mandolin, it's obvious that folk rock defines Run Gazelle Run.

What isn't obvious was a high-pitched folk jam with some bongos and a primal-esque scream thrown in for good measure on a song towards the end of the set. Oh, and an encore too, to boot.

Run Gazelle Run's debut comes out in September. In the meantime, listen to "Mad Man," a demo off the aforementioned record. - The Metro

After battling the scheduling gods, I managed to make it to Run Gazelle Run’s show at the Middle East Downstairs on 6/22. For a Friday night, the crowd was a little thin, but the show was just getting started with the first act, The Brother Kite. Still, the place should have been packed—these guys had the talent of the indie rock persuasion and a pretty impressive set of vinyl at their merch table.
The next band, Hot Molasses, was one that I had never heard of before. All I’m going to say is that they played a song about Pablo Picasso, and also threw a random country song into their mostly 80’s sounding set. Wat.

The main deal for me was Run Gazelle Run. The band’s energy was palpable as they took the stage, arranging odd pieces of clothing around their set before tuning their instruments. Their enthusiasm only increased with songs like “Kablam!”

As a mandolin is the most defining feature of their sound, the band was akin to a very talented King Richards Faire jam band. But don’t consider that a bad thing. The change of pace from the average indie/hipster band I’ve been seeing copies of everywhere was incredibly welcome. Run Gazelle Run creates danceable tunes with an air of ridiculousness, and they really look like they’re enjoying themselves. Throughout their set each band member ended up having at least one costume change. They donned some pretty silly thrift store finds: a furry vest and a fedora, a Wild West-themed white blazer, overalls and a mesh shirt circa 1995.

Besides the costume changes, the most memorable moment was their bongo interlude. The fact that I got to say “bongo interlude” at all makes me especially happy. They wrapped up their set after playing my personal favorite of the night, “Madman,” and “G#,” but were demanded by the audience to return to the stage for one final song. And rightly so—any band that energetic and fun should close out the night with a bangin’ encore. An entertaining group to be sure, Run Gazelle Run is one to keep on your radar.

-Cheryl Rafuse - Allston Pudding