S.Lo on January 18th, 2019

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Run River North has done some soul-searching in the last couple years. Originally a group of church friends from the San Fernando Valley who bonded around singer-songwriter/guitarist Alex Hwang, they shot up to fame after filming a DIY video in one of their Hondas. Life changes and pressures after touring extensively behind two albums and an EP left them spent. At that point, the group contracted into an identity crisis. Remembering a dedicated fan who passed away led them back to their raison d’être and reason for creating music. Changing their branding back to their old band name wasn’t the answer and wouldn’t return them to less complicated times. There simply was no going back.

Recollecting themselves and newly inspired, Run River North returned to the studio last year to co-produce their upcoming album with Joe Chiccarelli (Morrissey, Broken Social Scene, Arkells, the Shins, My Morning Jacket, the Killers, among others). Their explosive new single, “Hands Up,” is an inspiring banger co-written with Hannah Hooper and Christian Zucconi of Grouplove.

Reflecting upon that identity crisis and interpersonal struggle, the new song simultaneously confronts and retreats. Hwang explains, “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.” Sometimes, the best thing to do is to accept disappointments and give each other time to “figure it out.”

||| Stream: “Hands Up”