In extreme cases, the best distraction from horrific circumstances is… other forms of horror. Alarmed by a world ravaged by a pandemic and an MS diagnosis, Boy Harsher have done just that, crafting a controllable nightmare with their new film and album The Runner.
The Northampton-based duo of Jae Matthews and Augustus Muller convert dark thoughts into foreboding darkwave with an eight-track soundtrack that stands firm in its expansive eeriness, with or without an accompanying thriller. But don’t count out the film half of the project — The Runner embeds a “documentary” about Boy Harsher’s recording process within their original, self-directed horror drama.
“It all started as a wild idea mid-isolation to pull ourselves out of the ditch of depression,” Boy Harsher shared on Instagram. “I don’t think we ever anticipated The Runner becoming a reality. Yet here we are.”
The record dropped last Friday (January 21) via Nude Club/City Slang, while the film makes its debut in Portsmouth at The Press Room this weekend (January 28; see the flyer below) and in Somerville next month at The Rockwell (February 13). Fans can also stream The Runner on Shudder for free with the code THERUNNER.
In the meantime, run — don’t walk — to the soundtrack below.
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