Minnesota indie musician runo plum’s debut album came to life during a prolific writing phase in the artist’s life — after a breakup. Titled patching, the record was created to help heal, yet it also led to rediscovering love again. An introspective lyricist and captivating, calming singer, she is an introvert who has found and built community with other like-minded artists.

For patching, out on Friday, Nov. 14, runo plum teamed up with Minnesota-raised, Vermont-based indie musician Lutalo. The two share the same label, Los Angeles-based Winspear (Slow Pulp, Wishy, Teethe). Runo Plum and her girlfriend Noa Francis (known for her work with Lissie, Ondara, and other noteworthy locals) recorded with Lutalo in the Vermont wilderness. Twelve sonically lush, youthfully resonating songs were brought to life, including a favorite for The Current, “Sickness,” which explores being lovesick and also fear of sickness. 

The Local Show caught up with runo plum, our November Artist of the Month, prior to her European tour to learn more. Stops include Pitchfork Festivals in London and Paris, as well as countries like Luxembourg and Belgium. The songwriter will tour the states starting early February, with a Minneapolis show at 7th Street Entry this Feb. 21.

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Transcript edited for clarity and length.

You have this big following around the world, especially in the United States and Europe, where you're about to go touring. And then locally, I feel like you're just beginning to find some [ground], which is really interesting. Bring me back all the way to when you were first starting to release music.

Yeah, it started in 2020, this project. And the first thing I put out, I had, like, 200 followers on Instagram. And I just put out a random thing on Bandcamp, and I had a few friends listen. But the thing that really did it was TikTok. I did a TikTok of the first single that I put out called "yin to yang," and it got some views on TikTok. And then that was sort of the foundation for my little audience. But, yeah, social media is crazy. It really puts you in touch with random people all over the world.

As a young singer releasing music and really finding her voice, did you imagine that this is what would happen?

Yeah, where I'm at now definitely was the goal. To have a team working with me, helping, supporting in all kinds of ways. But I definitely wasn't expecting TikTok to be the thing, or even social media in general. But I suppose that's just the way it is. But I guess it was a journey to get to this place where I have a label and a team of people. But I think that social media is super powerful in that way. And yeah, it gave me a lot of freedom to do it my own way, in a way that was more comfortable for me, rather than playing shows. I get stage fright. And that was a big fear of mine of having to play a bunch of shows, which is sort of not the route that I took.

Yeah, stage fright is such a common thing, especially with musicians. I mean, you talk a lot about living in isolation, or being isolated and being out in the forest, and then longing for friendship. But also, it seems like there's a part of you that enjoys the spaciousness of the quietude. Tell me about your relationship with being in the wilderness and finding your voice in that way.

Yeah, socializing can be hard for me. So, I am someone who likes to be by my lonesome or with my small circle of people. But a lot of it was actually just trying to be okay with the fact that that was the situation that I was in at the time. Because I actually, in 2020, was like, "Okay, I'm gonna do music.” And so I was living with family, which was actually super sad and depressing. Because I don't want to be with my family. I want to be living on my own. But I couldn't afford to do that, because I was just starting. So I was just honestly, sort of like, "Wow, there's so much beauty around me. I need to pay attention to all of it." And then eventually, it felt really genuine and the actual source of inspiration.

Talk to me about this new record, patching. You worked with another Minnesota human, Lutalo. And you're going on tour for it.

It was a breakup album. It was an inspired-by-a-breakup album. Yeah, I went through a breakup, and I was writing so much. I have just dozens and dozens of songs, probably enough for three albums in total. A lot of them suck, but just to give you an idea of the quantity of what I was writing. So, this is “phase one” in what I was writing, which is just the loneliness and a lot of the heartbreak. But by the end of the album, it's going into finding love again. So that's beautiful and a full circle moment. But yeah, it's sort of just patching all of those feelings together.

The music is so beautiful. And I've been a fan since "Red Lights." That song came out, and I just remember hearing your voice, and I was just like, "Wow, you just have this beautiful touch to your songwriting and to your singing." And it feels heartfelt. Tell me about the anticipation of going on tour. In particular, what really caught my excitement was to see that you're at the Pitchfork Festival in London and Paris. That is rare and really exciting.

Yeah, I've never been to Pitchfork. I've actually never been to a music festival, so I don't know. Or I guess I played Treefort, but that doesn't really count. I don't even know what to expect. I actually lived in Europe on and off for two-and-a-half years between 2021 and 2024, so I've spent a good amount of time in Europe.

Where in Europe? 

Germany. I was dating someone in Germany. Actually, they helped record most of the music that I have out. And patching is about them. Which they know, we're good friends. They're touring with me. They're going to be opening for me, and they're playing bass for me. 

Amazing.

Love the queers for that. We can be besties after a breakup. Love that. But yeah, I'm super excited. It feels familiar, too. I actually played bass for my ex, who toured in England and Europe, opening for Leith Ross. I'm pretty familiar with the route, so I think I'm mostly just really excited, because I love it over there. And it's beautiful, and everyone is really nice, especially in England. So it's going to be really fun. 

So being a more quiet, socially introverted person. Tell me about getting comfortable performing on stage?

Yeah, I feel like I have to sort of disassociate in a little way. I mean, not fully ... I have to really convince myself that this is totally fine, and I'm allowed to have space right now or take up space. I don't know. I just have to sort of calm myself, and also doing it more feels less stressful. And depending on who I'm playing with, like, when I was touring with Searows, he's one of my best friends. So the crowds were super supportive. And I think that helps a lot ... They're fully engaged and young queer people who get what I'm writing about. I do think it's getting a lot less stressful than it was at the beginning.

Yeah, I grew up as a little kid and didn't like talking to anybody. And then here I am as a radio host. And I don't know how I got where I was, but I definitely found sanctuary in music and found community in music. I love your song "Lemon Garland," where you find your people and you have space to just exist and be. And tell me a little bit about that song.

Yeah, that one is sort of like a little fantasy. I wrote that during the breakup, also when I was just feeling really lonely and longing for connection, friendship, and community. It's been a year since then, so I definitely have more community. All the people in the music video are actual friends. They live in Portland, but they're real. Actually, Searows — Alec and his partner, Marlo — are in that video. And yeah, the song is a fantasy, but the music video was sort of like half real, because they were my friends.

So, this is more of a floaty kind of — while it's a breakup album, it has this very feel-good, touching vibe to it. And then I hear you have your rage album. Can you tease a little bit about what that's gonna sound like, or what that's gonna be like? 

I don't know if this is a normal thing for people. But for me, when the breakup happened, I was first so sad. And then the more you reflect on it, then I'm like, "Wait, f--k you." So then all of those songs were in that phase of feelings. I have demos for them, but it's just a lot more heavy sounds. And I'm also just visibly angry, and I swear a lot, and I'm just very upset. And more of the pain comes out, more detail, and stuff like that.

So when's that gonna come out? 

Realistically, probably not until next year. I think I won't have time to start recording it until after next summer. Originally, I wanted that to be the first one, but I just didn't have enough time and resources to execute it how I wanted. But so it fits better as a second album. patching feels like a good introduction album, and then the rage album, that'll come next. 

Is there anything else you'd like to add in particular about this new record? 

I feel like I should say something about Lutalo.

Yes, please! Talk to me about Lutalo, because we played their music on our show too. 

Yeah, love Lutalo. Me and Lutalo met in 2017, maybe, and we have been friends since. We shared a manager and we share a label. So we have a lot of similar connections ... They produced and recorded my debut album, and I wanted to choose someone that I was comfortable with. I had only recorded with my ex/friend, and I've never recorded in the studio, so I wanted to feel really comfortable. We rented a cabin in the woods in Vermont and just set up everything and recorded everything there. And it was really special and very fun. It was like a dream situation. I couldn't have asked for a more comfortable —

What is it about Lutalo that you feel a special comfort with?

I don't know ... They're very kind. Something about them makes me feel seen, relaxed, and comfortable. Also, they just make amazing music. I've listened to their first EP so many times. So I guess, they're an amazing, kind person, but I'm also just a huge fan. And I know that they were capable of achieving the sound I was going for. 

Well, big ups to Lutalo because your new record sounds incredible, and I'm a huge fan. And so excited to feature as our Artist of the Month.

Thank you.