The Runarounds

Becoming a Band

By Sarah Delehanty

Graphic by Katie King

It all started with an Instagram casting call and the vision of Jonas Pate, creator of the hit television series Outer Banks. Pate wanted to create a new series about musicians, but instead of hiring acting talent and then focusing on their musical abilities, Pate decided to take a different approach. He set out on a journey to find musicians from all over the world, and only once he knew they had the musical talent did he fine-tune their acting skills. To really seal the musical deal, all of the music playing in the series and on streaming platforms was done live. In doing so, Pate was able to achieve exactly what he desired: capture the authentic connection between musicians working together in his latest project The Runarounds.

I sat down for an interview with Jesse Golliher, who plays Wyatt Wysong in this new show, and was able to get a glimpse into how the band came to be. Seeing as the members were from all over the United States (and one international), some were lifelong bandmates, and some were brand new, it was difficult to find common ground at first. After spending more time together, they realized that they all at least had similar upbringings in regards to the one thing they loved most: music. With this common ground they were able to discover a sound for their group, drawing inspiration from indie bands like Pinegrove, Hippo Campus, and the Backseat Lovers. 

The show took five years to be released as the creators were still working on Outer Banks, and wanted to give the band time to bond. Yet their chemistry is undeniable, and in the words of Golliher, “5 years waiting for a TV show will bond anybody.”

Like true musicians, the band is more comfortable with touring, especially seeing that acting is new to the band. Jesse says that “the best part is the travel” and that it’s “very fun, very awesome.” The band has been able to experience all different walks of life, from big cities to small towns, but Jesse’s favorite places to visit on tour are Atlanta, GA, and Little Rock, AK, due to their tight-knit communities. When asked about how the band was handling this sudden rise to fame, Jesse told me that he loves the fact that they have a smaller fanbase. According to him, when you have a small crowd, every fan is a superfan; he’s enjoyed seeing all of these people come out to support the up-and-coming band. To Jesse, though, the best part is being a public figure while also living a private life.

The television series may have brought them together, but there’s no doubt that The Runarounds are a real band, tried-and-true. They recently released their newest song, “Chasing the Good Times” featuring Brad Shultz of Cage the Elephant, and are currently working on a record while preparing to release their next single soon. Before their next tour, they’ll be playing at Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival for their first-ever music festival. If you’re new to The Runarounds, check out these three songs recommended by Jesse Golliher himself:

1. Funny How the Universe Works

2. Beautiful Stranger

3. 15 Rootbeers (Jesse’s favorite!)