There is this song that you may have heard, actually I am pretty sure you have. It is super catchy, super relatable, and a song you just love to jam out to. It is a song you may have heard on Spotify, (it is now featured on the “While Taylor is Away” playlist), Pandora, your iTunes, or even at a concert you have been to in the last few months. The song I am talking about is “Good on You” by Native Run. Native Run has been exploding into the country music scene after being signed to Show Dog Records, and now opening for acts such as Lady Antebellum, David Nail, and Hunter Hayes. They have such a unique sound, and together have more fun on stage than you are probably having at the show. They have so much energy and love for what they are doing that you cannot help but love them as people. On top of their amazing selves, there is also the amazing music that they have put out. There is so much greatness to this band and we will be seeing so much more of them coming up. I am so excited to have the opportunity to interview these beautiful people, and I feel that this interview will show you just how fun and amazing these two people are.
Hello beautiful people! Y’all have been so busy lately. How is it going on the road?
GREAT!!! We’ve gotten into our groove and love our band so much. It’s not as easy to sleep on a bus, but the fact that we have a bus is an absolute dream! We’re lovin it!
You have been opening for David Nail recently. What has that been like? Has he given you any advice?
David is awesome. A TRUE artist, writer, country singer. We’ve loved being able to witness his perfect pitch every night.
Has there been any venue or show that has stuck out to you?
We really loved playing to a sold out Grizzly Rose crowd in Denver, CO. Every show is so unique and special- both on our end and with the audience. We recently played The Victory Theatre in Evansville, IN, and that was such a different vibe since it’s seated, but right up there with the best! The audience was so connected and we had a blast!
Let’s ask the obvious question….what is your favorite smell?
Rachel: fresh cut grass, campfire
Bryan: sandalwood
Now, the actual obvious question.Native Run came to be from another name not working out. Tell us a bit about that.
Our original name was Deep River. We received a cease and desist letter from another group in Asheville, NC called Deep River, but they owned the trademark so…they won.
The two of you met at Church. How big of a role does your faith play into your life and career?
Huge. Without faith we are drifters, and in this business, it’s too easy to drift into who knows where! We love that our families raised us to believe in God and we work as hard as we can to honor Him and our families.
The both of you are working with Luke Laird, who if people don’t know, he has worked with Carrie Underwood, Kacey Musgraves, and other large names in Nashville. Did you have him in mind or did you just go to Nashville hoping to work with anyone?
When we went to Nashville, we were totally green. We didn’t have a clue of what we were doing, but are SO grateful that we met the right people at the right time. It often comes down to that, you know. We were touring the East coast when a BMI rep from NYC led us to another BMI rep in Atlanta, who pointed us to Nashville. We first met Luke’s wife, Beth, when she worked at BMI. We continued to make trips to Nashville and eventually met other writers, producers, and it was a no brainer when the opportunity came to wok with Luke- we didn’t have to think twice. We love that dude!
You are signed to Toby Keith’s label. Does he have a lot of say in how the album is produced and the whole process?
Nope!
What came first for the both of you. Songwriting or singing?
Singing for both!
Songwriting is so easy for some and so hard for others. Has it always been easy for you?
Absolutely not. Songwriting is a learning process- when you’re 10, you write about what 10 year-olds experience usually, and naturally that’s not necessarily profound. But being committed to writing and developing your own voice took years for us, and not until we came to Nashville and started writing with the big guns, do we really feel like we found our voice as songwriters. We’ll continue to find it, change it, etc. School is never out…
You have an EP out with your single, “Good on You” included on it. How did you both figure out that was going to be the single?
It was quite a process. We were torn between that and another song, and eventually majority decided Good On You. Which ultimately, we were really happy about!
You have opened for some super cool people. David Nail, Lady Antebellum, Hunter Hayes; is there any moments that stand out in those shows?
Oh boy- They were all incredible, but I don’t think we’ll ever feel as nervous as when we sang on stage with Lady A. That was a highlight of our year for SURE.
You recently made your Grand Ole Opry debut. How was that?
..speechless……..
Is there a song as a songwriter that you wish you had written or could have had as your own?
Bryan: John Waite “Missing You.” All. Day.
Both of you are not from Nashville, so it was new to you when moving there. Is there anything you love to do in Nashville?
Eat and drink everywhere and everything. Nashville is the coolest town! There’s also a lot of great people:)
CMA’s are coming up. Do we have outfits picked out, anything or anyone you are looking forward to see/meet?
Rachel: I have a dress being made by my dear friends at Ani & Ari design! They’re incredible designers and GORGEOUS people!
You already have so many exciting things going on! What is next for y’all?
We are planning on releasing our full length album early 2015!
Flash Round:
Favorite food:
Rachel: mac n cheese
Favorite song to jam to on the radio right now:
Bryan and Rachel: Steal My Girl by One Direction (it’s amazing. seriously.)
Dream duet partner:
Rachel: Bryan
Bryan: Rachel….we’re totally dreaming:-D
Favorite song to sing live:
Bryan: Crash Landing- gotta feel that groove!
Rachel: Whole Lotta Something, it’s a song we wrote with Josh Osbourn and Matt Ramsey over 2 years ago, and our drummer, Rico, was like “Why don’t we play that song anymore it’s badass!” So we played through it and agreed, and now it’s my favorite!
Best memory of the other:
Rachel: I’ll never forget the time Bryan held my hair back as I vomited the gallon of frozen yogurt I “accidentally” ate by myself. He was really super sweet about it, and now we can make fun of the fact that I ate way too much frozen yogurt.
Bryan: That would have to be mine, too:-D
Best advice you have been given:
When things don’t go your way, just shout “PLOT TWIST” at the top of your lungs, and then move on…
The Southern Girl Press 