The Running Mates – DREAM TOUR

In this Dream Tour segment, the rock ‘n roll duo, The Running Mates, let you know who they would like on their ultimate tour lineup. You can check out the feature, after the break.

Being a duo with wide-ranging influences, we had to do our own separate dream tours. It’s already hard enough to choose! Curse you Digital Tour Bus!

Spencer here…there are literally dozens of artists I’ve been so influenced and moved by over the years and continue to be, and for the sake of keeping the concert under 3 weeks long I’ll go with my current “must see live” bands. Opening the show would be Nothing but Thieves. These guys really really rock, and in a time when rock music with loud guitars and awe-inspiring vocals is sadly dying! Unfortunately, I have yet to see them live, but I’ve spent many nights fangirling out on youtube watching live videos. Next, to bring the chill vibes in would be Mutemath. I RARELY, RARELY dip my toes in the electronic music water but something is different with these guys. They’re songwriting, musicianship and creativity are almost unparalleled. Julie and I saw them live for the first time last year and they BLEW OUR MINDSSSS. Young the Giant would be up next to keep the chillness going but also to bring the energy up. We also saw them for the first time recently and MY LORD was it a night to remember. So much energy, and so much passion for what they do. Every aspect of the show got you lost in the music. From the lighting and set designs to the crazy amount of instruments. Each member of the band is so multi-talented, as a musician, you can’t help but watch and want to up your game. Last but not least, our main support after three other openers would be none other than my obsession since high school: Incubus. No other band has withstood the test of time, while simultaneously evolving with every new release. AND IT ALWAYS SOUNDS LIKE INCUBUS. How the hell do they do it? I’ve listened to this band pretty much daily since I was pimple-faced and socially awkward, and I haven’t tired of them yet! They’re latest album “8” is on repeat in my car at the moment. Such a great blend of classic Incubus and new modern sounds.

Then, we’d come on and continue the trend of mind-blowing until our third encore, when members of each band would join us to pay tribute to the rock gods. “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin comes to mind. Maybe a little “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC just for some badass cheesehead banging rock, balanced out by some Eagles songs. I’m a sucker for “Take it to the limit.” Ok so now you have my dream lineup Digital Tour Bus. Call whatever managers/agents you have to and MAKE IT REAL :)

Dream tour. Julie here! I have daydreamed about going on tour often. I work as a waitress at a breakfast restaurant and I am dying for the day when I can rip off my apron, flip off my patrons and say, “Bon voyage, bitches I’m going on tour!” So what would my dream tour look like? Well first and foremost, my idols would have to be there. From the moment I heard that beautiful acoustic guitar and low raspy voice say, “This is for you daddy,” I was already hooked. Fleetwood Mac has been one of my biggest influences and Stevie Nicks is just otherworldly. Spencer and I saw them on tour a couple of years ago and every single song was perfection. I can only hope that we write a fraction of songs that stand the test of time like their’s have.

The second band I want to bring on tour with us would be Paramore. Every album they release is solid, but most of all I am totally girl crush in love Hayley Williams and her voice. She is a total powerhouse, but has this beautiful tenderness and story teller quality to her voice that puts her on a totally different level than most rock singers. I have put their karaoke tracks on and tried to belt it out like Hayley in my living room more times than I care to say. Still, can’t touch her, but I’m gonna keep trying! Also, can’t wait to hear the rest of, “After Laughter.” Their new single “Hard Times” is my newest iTunes download and I can’t get enough of it!

The third artist I want to bring on tour with us would be Sara Bareilles. This woman is an incredible singer/songwriter, musician, and storyteller. Her music totally melts me. Not to mention she just wrote the music for Waitress: The Musical! I was a musical theater kid growing up and I still have a serious soft spot for musicals. I would love to co-write some music with Sara and maybe even write my own musical someday.

So naturally, we’ll be doing a European tour because, FOOD! My 3 loves in life go like this, music, food and Spencer. Not necessarily in that order!! So after the final show in every new country, we’ll go to the local restaurants, drink lots of wine (or tequila if we’re in Spain) and indulge in all of the glorious food the country has to offer, THANK YOU AND GOODNIGHT!

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