“Hands Up” by Run River North – A Song Feature

     Waiting at the Austin airport following SXSW 2016, the discussion centered around the best performance experience during the festival. Surprisingly (at least for us), the final decision was between two Southern California bands – Run River North at The Speakeasy and The Record Company.at The Yard. After five days of music immersion, those two performances stood side-by-side above the rest.

     Run River North has undergone changes since then. The band is now a trio. Fortunately, vocalization is still a strength, as evidenced by their latest single, “Hands Up.” Guitarist and lead vocalist Alex Hwang remains, as do the melodic purity and power of backing vocals from keyboardist Sally Kang and guitarist Daniel Chae. Having three appealing voices is a luxury that isn’t shared by many bands. Thus, during “Hands Up,” the exclamation “What!” can be treated with different degrees of emphasis and with alternative processing, while retaining melodic attractiveness throughout the deliveries.

     “Hands Up” is a co-writing collaboration with Hannah Hooper and Christian Zucconi of Grouplove. The song will be on the EP, “Monsters Calling Home: Part One,” which is scheduled for release in May 2019. Monsters Calling Home was the original name of the band. Run River North describes the EP as being about finding hope in a time of transition. Daniel Chea explains, “It’s learning to trust your own voice regardless of whatever's happening outside of you.” Alex Hwang adds, “Sometimes you surrender or give up, other times you’re letting go or lifting up. The song simultaneously laments past grievances, stays in the present moment, and ultimately moves forward with hands up and hearts open.”

     “Hands Up” by Run River North

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/runrivernorth

Website: http://www.runrivernorth.com/

Lyrics of “Hands Up” by Run River North

Hands up

What!

Remember when I let you down

Remember when it all just fell apart

Remember when you turned around

I looked up once before you said what you now mean

Seconds changed the face you made

The look of settling

Say you've been tired

Say you've been safe

Call me out if it keeps you in it

But don't leave now in the middle of a feeling

Hands up

What!

Remember when I let you down

Remember when it all just fell apart

Remember when you turned around

Hands up

What!

Remember when I let you down

I never want to feel the way we did

I never want to go back down

I lost the fire

It got washed up in the flood

Of all the words to call my name these stones say enough

I've been tired

I don't feel safe

Hold me down oh I feel like swinging

Oldest kid in a cold war singing

Hands up

What!

Remember when I let you down

Remember when it all just fell apart

Remember when you turned around

Hands up

What!

I never want to let you down

I never want to feel the way we did

I never want to go back down

(All my life, dadadada, dadadada)

I don't need someone to believe in

I just need you next to me

I just need you next to me

[Sung 3x]

Hands up

What

Always gonna let you down

Always gonna feel the way we did

I hope you figure it out

Hands up

What!

Always gonna let you down

Always gonna leave this up to you

And I hope you figure it out

[Sung 2x]

Hands up!

    This is a live performance of "Hands Up" at The Hotel Cafe shot/directed by David Rho, with Jimmy Lee behind the audio recording. Background vocals are provided by Sarah Lee and Ryan Yoo, with Fernanda Fuentes on drums and a special appearance from Joe Chun on bass.