Sunnyside Uppers help get your summer started on the right foot with the new single, Runaway.
Matt Carter
If you’re still looking for the perfect leadoff track for your summer roadtrip playlist look no further than Runaway, the latest from Saint John-based songsmith Ryan Brown. As Sunnyside Uppers, Brown has been exploring his own solo songwriting through a wide range of influences beginning with the release of the 2020’s Snowboatin’, a totally ripping garage rock anthem bursting at the seams with “one foot on the monitor, one hand in the air” rock stance prowess. From power pop singalongs to the most subtle and delicate acoustic ballads, Brown has proven himself to be an explorer, always searching for the next moment of inspiration.
With his latest single, Brown returns to familiar power pop territory pulling in guest after guest to share in the song’s creation. Becca Dalley of the Halifax bands Book Buddies, Cluttered, Designosaur, and G.R.O.S.S. joins on vocals, while Brown’s former Glory Glory bandmate Adam Warren (aka WAANTS) handled the recording of all instruments except the drums which were tracked at Monopolized Studios by Corey Bonnevie.
Brown says the song’s lyrics are a riff on a call-in topic from The Best Show (the topic was I Can’t Defend It), and pull further inspiration from The Smith’s song, Ask. The addition of Dalley on vocals took the idea over the top.
“The original idea was to have Becca sing harmonies,” said Brown. “I was hanging out late one night with some musician friends and described it to my pal Gavin, who misunderstood and thought I meant a duet. ‘OMG IT SHOULD BE!’ The lyrics were always from the perspective of two different characters so it worked beautifully.”
If Runaway doesn’t get your summer vibes radiating, YOU. HAVE. NO. SOUL.
Upcoming Performances:
July 1 | Five and Dime | Saint John, NB
July 21 | Digby Ferry | Saint John, NB
July 25 | Digby Ferry | Saint John, NB
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