The Professor’s Chair features interviews with local musicians. This week’s artists are pop singers Laz and Rich, a duo known as The Night Runners. Their interview will air will air Sept. 26 during RadioX’s Local Show from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on SUTV online.
So, where are you guys from?
Laz: Miami, actually. Right down here, man.
Rich: We were born and raised in a small city — very, very, very small — called Hialeah. Our music is based on the culture of the Miami scene.
How would you describe your music? Who or what do you sound like?
Laz: Our music is a pop-R&B fusion, with a little electronic slash dance thrown in there. You know you’re going to hear a lot of different influences in there, because we like a lot of different artists. You’re going to hear a little bit of influence from Coldplay, a little bit of influence from Usher — from all around the board.
What’s the biggest stage you’ve ever performed on?
Rich: Oh, wow, I think it’s definitely “X-Factor.” We had a wonderful opportunity to be a part of season one, when it first debuted in America in 2011. We were fortunate, out of 400,000 people who auditioned nationwide, for that opportunity to win the million-dollar contract.
Laz: We made it to the top eight in the group category, actually. We got to meet Paula Abdul and Pharell Williams. I think there were 15 million viewers of that episode. That would have to be the biggest stage.
If you could pick any venue in the world, what would be your ideal show?
Rich: Definitely halftime at the Super Bowl.
Laz: You got to do halftime at the Super Bowl, right?
Rich: I think Bruno Mars right now. He’s gearing up for the Super Bowl. He’s been blessed with that opportunity. Anybody in that position, who’s just put out two albums, and now they’re in that huge platform — you’re going down the path of legends.
And I heard that you guys are going to be playing this year at Heat games.
Laz: Yes! You guys are going to see The Night Runners this season at the Heat games.
Rich: This is not just a one-time stint. They reached out to us and said, “We would love for you guys to perform at multiple games.” We’re excited about it.
How and why did you get started recording music?
Laz: I met Richard in the ninth grade and he actually got me to join the choir after school. From then on, we started singing and writing songs together, and then, before “X-Factor,” he called me and said, “Hey, you want to give it a shot? You want to see how far we get?”
You guys are some pretty serious dancers, too. How much time did you spend choreographing the music video for “Single”?
Laz: We actually choreographed it ourselves.
Rich: We’re very meticulous when it comes to certain things. If you’re going to convey something, you need to convey it in the right light. We don’t take anything lightly, especially when it comes to showmanship and performing.
Laz: A couple of hours choreographing the dancing, countless days for the actual video.
I noticed that people can download your album for free on thenightrunnersmusic.com. Why are you giving away your album?
Laz: This is something we wanted to share with people. Every song on that EP is meant for a different emotion.
Rich: We both agreed. Let’s give the top half of the album for free and then first quarter of next year release the entire album, but for sale.
From your videos, I got the idea that you guys always wear suits, no matter what. At the gym — suit. At Publix — suit. At the proctologist — suit.
Rich: That’s true. You always got to make a good impression; I think I was running in a suit a few days ago. And everyone was looking at me like, “Sir, why are you running in a suit?”
Laz: No, he doesn’t run in a suit.
Finally what is your website, your Twitter and what do you want to promote the most?
Laz: Go to thenightrunnersmusic.com. There you’re going to find updates, all our tour concert dates and you can also follow us on Twitter at —
Rich: @Night_Runners. And we’re on Instagram, and you can follow us on MySpace as well. Hit us up and we will answer you, without a doubt.
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