Atlanta-based Americana-leaning quintet Run Katie Run is set to release a new EP, Running on Love, on April 16, 2021. Composed of Kate Coleman (lead vocals), Corey Coleman (guitar), Adam Pendlington (guitar, banjo), Stephen Quinn (bass), and Ian Pendlington (drums), Run Katie Run is one of the few new bands in recent memory that can rock multiple genres, flaunt resonant harmonies, and showcase a dynamic lead vocalist whose passion and power demand attention. Running on Love was produced by Kate and the band, recorded and mastered by Corey, and mixed by Ian. While Kate is quick to share credit with her bandmates, the fact is that Run Katie Run centers on her singing, writing, and presence.
“I’m unbelievably proud of these songs and the people who helped bring them to life,” says Kate. “The guys and I put a lot of work, love, time, energy, and passion into this EP, and I hope it brings joy to whoever listens to it!”
Running on Love winds through the restless drive, complex emotions, and exhilarating key changes of “15 Minutes,” travels between the candor and yearning of “Kinda Hoping,” explores the bitter commentary of “No Way Out,” riding a current of tight rhythm, and summits at Kate’s climactic — and frankly stunning — high note in “Running on Love” as it builds toward an explosive ending. She lays down the law to an irresolute lover on “Stay or Leave,” amidst blazing fills and solo breaks from her musicians. And “Stolen Time” confirms Run Katie Run’s ascension as one of today’s best harmony bands.
The first single, “15 Minutes,” was released January 22nd. Glide Magazine, who premiered the track, wrote, “...the song finds the band tapping into the unbridled passion of just making music together. With its playful mixture of folk, pop and Americana, the song captures what this group of musicians does best. …catchy as hell… colorful percussion and intricate guitar work, with Kate’s vocals front and center throughout.” The second single, “Stolen Time,” premiered at American Songwriter, and it was released on February 26th. The title track, “Running on Love,” was the third single, and after a premiere at Americana Highways, it was released on March 26th.
Kate’s story traces back to Buffalo, New York, her hometown. Originally interested in dance, Kate explored singing at the urging of her mother, performing “Big Deal” by Leann Rimes in a high school talent show. “I don’t think anybody knew I listened to country music let alone sang,” recalls Kate. “But everybody was so impressed! They made me feel like a rock star. From that point, I was like, ‘Oh, okay. I think I get it.’” Although she would immerse herself in the dance program at Buffalo State College, music won her allegiance by her senior year. “Dance will always be a part of me,” says Kate. “I even have a dance floor in my dining room! But a gut feeling told me then that it was time to choose music.”
Before graduating with a degree in dance and communications in 2011, Kate had joined her first band. Known as Naughty Dawg, they played cover songs at bars and parties, where she built her stage chops. Already Kate had forged a unique style, inspired by artists as diverse as Patsy Cline, Janis Joplin, Dolly Parton, and the trio known then as the Dixie Chicks. Through music, Kate met her husband, Corey Coleman, and they started playing as a duo called Kate and Corey, but a move beckoned. “We wanted the whole lifestyle,” Kate says. “We wanted to be in a van, going from city to city in the South because the weather would be more agreeable for that. I was like, ‘Why don’t we check out Atlanta? There are 40 cities within a three-and-a-half-hour radius. We can tour small.”
They made the move. Soon their calendar filled with bookings at clubs and corporate events. They even tried their luck at a national talent search – the Country Showdown (hosted by Jewel at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium) – and finished in second place in the final round. More significantly, at an open mic one night in Georgia, they were impressed by a trio called Highbeams. They became mutual admirers and close friends over the next several years, so it was no surprise that Kate recruited Adam Pendlington, Stephen Quinn, and Ian Pendlington of Highbeams to play on her first solo album, Past. Corey played guitar and recorded the album. Then, as offers started coming in to play at clubs and festivals, Kate made them an offer that, luckily, they couldn’t refuse.
“I asked, ‘Can you guys play with me?’” she says. “‘You know the songs already. And we have so much fun just being in a room together. Would you be into keeping this going as a five-piece?’ I wasn’t thinking that this would be my band, with them backing me up. I was like, ‘We all write. We all play. We all sing. We can all contribute.’ It was the guys who said, ‘We’d love to do this, although it really should be your thing.’ And it was Adam who said, ‘It should be called Run Katie Run.’” The band’s name comes from a song title on Past.
Their union was kismet. “They never make me feel limited,” Kate points out. ‘They don’t make me pigeonhole myself or hold me back or tell me, ‘That’s not country enough,’ or ‘We need to stick with this.’ Who needs that? Because as long as it’s us making the music, we’re gonna sound like us.’”
Once the green light is given, Run Katie Run can’t wait to head out on tour. With safety protocols being followed, occasional in-person shows have started to creep back into their schedule. Fans eager to hear them now can see Run Katie Run livestreaming on the last Wednesday of every month at 8 p.m. eastern on their Facebook and YouTube. Kate has also confirmed a solo livestream on April 21st on The Boot’s Facebook page at 9 p.m. eastern.
