Interview with Stephen Kilroy, Lead Singer of the Band Middle-Distance Runner
Posted July 29th, 2007 at 2:30 PM by Jimmie R. Markham
Section: Special Features, Interviews
Recently, while I was enjoying one of my favorite pastimes (searching the internet for websites devoted to a certain sport that is conducted on a 400m oval track), I Googled the keywords “middle-distance website” and, lo and behold, there was a link I’d never seen before, ranked an enviable #1 and beckoning me to click on it!
The title, “Middle Distance Runner - Band of the Future!,” intrigued me. Since I’ve always had a weakness, both for both middle-distance running AND bands of the future, I was compelled to click on the link! I’m glad I did, because – once I reached the front page of this indie band’s website – I had found a new band that both plays the kind of music I like to listen to (indie rock) and had named themselves after my favorite sport!
On the band’s website, lead singer Stephen Kilroy describes how the band was named:
“One day while foraging in the Costa Rican rain forest, Stephen Kilroy looked up to the jungle canopy and saw the words “Middle Distance Runner, your band’s name” through the penetrating sunlight. His fate was sealed. It was his destiny to complete his vision quest and bring “Middle Distance Runner” to international fame!”
I conducted a quick e-mail interview with Kilroy:
The Final Sprint (TFS): Why are you really named Middle-Distance Runner?
Stephen Kilroy (SK): Hint: I recently rented The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, which I plan to watch at my dad’s house tonight. Can you connect the dots???
TFS: Who is each band member’s favorite middle-distance runner?
SK: Alan Webb. He comes to our shows and wears our shirts. Cool guy.
TFS: What do any of you, knowing that I will soon post an article espousing the benefits of listening to the music of Middle-Distance Runner, have to say to the track-and-field fanatics who frequent The Final Sprint?
SK: Stay in school. You can’t run away from your problems.
TFS: Please perpetuate a myth, legend and/or tidbit about either, a) the DC-based band that is named after a sport requiring a fair amount of endurance training, or b) the sport itself.
SK: Ask my girlfriend OH SNAP OH SNAP!!!
TFS: Finally, what else ya gots ta’ say?
SK: I’d like to give a shout out to Nan Irick, my favorite runner of long distances and the woman who got us our first show in DC. Big ups to Nan. See you at the barbeque this weekend, girl! LYLAS!!
For more information about the band Middle-Distance Runner, and to listen to their music, be sure to check out their official website and their MySpace page.
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Tags: interview, middle distance runner, music, stephen kilroy
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