Worcester Magazine feature

Looking to have sex on a plane

(Hey, it's easier than winning a Grammy)

By Alex Stevenson for Worcester magazine

It's called Running Still, but this Brooklyn-based rock quartet is certainly on the move. In January 2008 the group signed with EastWest Records, a subsidiary of the Warner Music Group, and its self-titled album is due out on Aug. 19.

"We're finishing up the record," says lead singer and songwriter Asi Meskin. "We're almost done with the vocals and about to start mixing, so we're very excited."

Meskin and his bandmates recently returned from England, where they had the opportunity to record with the legendary Robert Wyatt. Bassist Ben Zwerin says, "We went to England to hang out with Robert Wyatt for a few days — which was amazing — and ended up recording him on one track, ‘Come Away.' He did a bunch of wordless vocals."

Zwerin explains that Atlantic Records in the UK decided to release "Come Away," partly because of Wyatt's involvement, along with two other tracks on an EP. Before returning stateside, the band also got to work with Steve Orchard, one of the sound engineers and producers at George Martin's Air Studios in London. Orchard, who has worked with artists like Peter Gabriel, Sting and Paul McCartney, mixed Running Still's "Come Away," the song that will be the single off their UK release. "That was definitely the highlight of our year so far," says Meskin.

Upon its return to the States, the guys got back on the road. "We've been together for five years, and we've been touring throughout New England at clubs and colleges for about three years," says Meskin. Meskin, who also plays the acoustic guitar and keyboard, met Zwerin after approaching him on the street in Manhattan's Lower East Side. The two became friends and started playing in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. The band only truly came together, however, with the addition of two more players: guitarist Raed Khazen and drummer Zach Jones. Image

With catchy choruses and a melodic pop rock sound similar to bands like Snow Patrol and Coldplay, Running Still has built a devoted following of fans. "We really want to connect with every single person we meet," says Zwerin. "For us, it's not about spending a million dollars on promotion, it's about going out on the road and meeting everybody." Still, that's not to say these guys don't have goals. Meskin would like to play Madison Square Garden, win a Grammy and share a stage with Stevie Wonder.

"I want to have sex on a plane," Zwerin quips. "It's an easier goal to realize than the Grammy. In general though, we want to be able to do what we love — make music, make records — for a long time."