Middle Distance Runner
Dance-punk is alive and well in the nation’s capital. Case in point: Middle Distance Runner. The D.C. quartet’s sound hints at an eclectic set of influences (think Arcade Fire collaborating with OK Go after listening to mid-90s Radiohead for a week straight). MDR's new single, “Momma,” solidifies their status as an undiscovered local gem, mingling equal parts feel-good pop, psychadelic funk and soulful indie rock. Well, maybe not entirely undiscovered - the band’s songs have already been featured in an HBO commercial and the trailer for Disney’s new documentary, “Morning Light.” Rock n’ roll.
Get to know Middle Distance Runner:
What are your primary musical influences?
Our primary musical influences are always changing. On our first record, "Plane in Flames," the answer would have been The Beatles, Radiohead, Super Furry Animals, bands like that. On this new record, we've opened that up to a lot more rootsy, live-sounding stuff. There's definitely still a 60s influence, but we've been listening to a lot of Rolling Stones, Sam Cooke, Feist, Serge Gainsbourg, The Meters, Springsteen, etc. In short, our primary influences are going to change with pretty much every record we put out.
Are you signed?
We're not signed right now, but we're finishing up our second LP and we're going to keep looking for labels that truly suit us, creatively and pragmatically.
What’s next for the band?
We've been recording a lot these days and are nearing the end of that process. We're going to be at CMJ this year to start warming up to tour a lot more in the Winter and Spring. Hopefully, what's next for us is a lot of leggy babes and jetskis, but that's going to take a lot of elbow grease and moxy and things of that nature.
What's one thing you'd like our readers to know about Middle Distance Runner?
We would love for your readers to know that we've been working out a lot since we went into the studio, and if you think we were handsome in 2007, you're going to need to realign your perceptions for 2008.
What's your favorite venue/bar/restaurant in D.C.?
Our favorite bar in the D.C. area is Galaxy Hut in Arlington. The staff there are the friendliest in town, the atmosphere is cozy, and the juke rarely disappoints. Plus they've got great beer, which gives us the energy to work out as much as we do.
Our favorite venue in D.C. is the 9:30 Club. They treat you like kings when you play there, even if you're local. (We're talking buffet on the bar during soundcheck, people!)
Our favorite restaurant is the Cheesetique in Del Ray. Not just because it has a funny name and covers all three of the food groups (meat, cheese, alcohol), but because our new bass player, Tony, moonlights as an exceedingly handsome waiter there.
