Vertusent Records readies the release of Armored Heart, the debut album from North Carolina natives Runaway City, on June 22, 2010. Runaway City is Vertusent’s flagship artist and the newly formed label’s first artist release.
Produced by Jason Elgin (Collective Soul, Terrible Things) at Synchromesh Studios in Birmingham, Ala., Runaway City shines on its debut recording. From huge rock songs with massive anthems and choruses to beautifully melodic rock ballads, the band has crafted an album full of high quality, fully realized compositions, a true rarity in this day of flavor of the month songs.
“It was evident upon meeting Runaway City that the band is genuinely committed to its music and ministry… these guys take great pride in what they do,” says Vertusent Records President Derek Graham. “The heartfelt meaning and integrity that comes across in Runaway City’s music make this band a perfect fit for Vertusent’s long-term vision and development.”
The first single “Fade,” now available on iTunes, is currently impacting Christian Rock radio, climbing to No. 39 New & Active this week on the Billboard Christian Rock chart. With its anthemic chorus – All the world could fade away / You’re the only one I’d miss if you were gone / I just can’t believe you don’t see what I see in you – is both uplifting and poignant, which is what the band is all about.
Runaway City guitarist Tyler Ricketts comments, “We want Runaway City to be a safe haven for people. Whether it be from a lyric or something said from stage, we want to offer listeners a chance to escape all the things going on in their lives. We hope to give them a glimpse of hope, if only for a moment, to help them carry on with their day to day.”
And the name Runaway City illustrates that sentiment. In ancient Israel, those who committed serious crimes were forced to flee to one of six cities for refuge while awaiting a fair trial. The band explains, “By calling ourselves Runaway City, we want to be that refuge for our listeners, even if it is for just a 3-minute song.”
Runaway City formed in a small town called Mount Airy, NC, which is the actual television home of “The Andy Griffith Show,” aka Mayberry, USA. The quintet is made up of Tyler Ricketts (Guitar/Backup Vocals), Chris Burrow (Drums), Josh Edwards (Vocals), Jace Bowman (Lead Guitar), and Jon Thompson (Bass Guitar). Summer tour dates will be announced soon. For more information on Runaway City, visit ww.myspace.com/runawaycity.
Track Listing For Armored Heart:
1. Daybreak
2. Scars
3. Fade
4. Longing
5. Try
6. Only You
7. Lately
8. No Escape
9. Save Me
10. More Than This
ABOUT VERTUSENT
Originating from the Latin noun “veritas,” meaning truth, Vertusent Records seeks to produce quality entertainment that is both accessible and transparent by stepping out from the limiting boundaries of traditional music business practices. Vertusent is an artist-centered label dedicated to investing in the long-term success of its clients through thoughtful, strategic marketing and promotions. Vertusent is distrubuted by the NARM award-winning company, RED Distribution, which is a division of Sony Music Entertainment with Christian market distribution through Provident-Integrity Distribution. For more information, visit www.vertusent.com
