It seems like Running Lights are out to dominate the world-or at least East Campus. The band, comprised of brothers Ian Holljes, a junior, and Eric Holljes, a freshman, along with junior Alex Cornell, are serious about showing Duke students exactly what they're all about said Eric. Throughout the semester they've been touring East Campus, playing in a different dorm every week.
"It was my idea," Eric said, who sings and plays guitar and piano. "I just remember thinking that it was a good way to meet people, especially since I'll be playing music for them for the next four years. Plus freshmen are always the most interested in new things so I figured it would be good exposure."
Eric said they chose to play once in each dorm because it can be hard to attract a big group in other venues. "It's hard to draw people out of their rooms, so we go to them," he said.
"It's been really successful," added Ian (vocals, guitar). "We just started a facebook group for the band about two days ago and we already have over a hundred members. The hard part is just getting the music out. But we have been getting asked back for other gigs."
Running Lights is a self-described alternative rock band. "Even though we're in college and we're in a band, we're definitely not your average college band," Cornell said, who sings and plays guitar.
Ian and Eric formed the band last semester, originally calling themselves The Holljes Brothers.
"Until last year we were never in an official band together, but we've played together," Ian said. The two have been jamming together for seven years, and were in an a capella group in high school.
This past semester Cornell (vocals, guitar), who has played in various Duke bands, jumped on board.
"When I was playing a show at the Dillo once, I met Ian and talked to him by e-mail last semester when I was abroad. When I got back we all jammed together and it went really well," Cornell said. "Thinking of a new name for the band was the hardest part."
So once conquering East Campus is in the bag, what's next for Running Lights?
"We all want to play music professionally, so we want to take this as far as we can," Ian said. "Over the summer we're going to New York City. Alex and I will be on the Duke in New York program so we plan on using our free time to explore and play there and continue expanding. We hope to come back with a more professional look towards music."
Eric said he plans to look for an internship in the city to join his bandmates.
The band is also currently recording a demo.
"We're going to add some bass and a few other extras," Eric said. "But everything that we're recording for the demo is within the capabilities of this band to play live."
"And once we come back from New York this summer we want to tour around Durham and the South," Ian added. "We hope we can have an established fan base at Duke before that, though."
With the support Running Lights has garnered so far, it doesn't seem like they'll have much of a problem.
Running Lights will be playing at the Old Duke Party Friday between 4 and 7 p.m.
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