Friday, April 12, 2019

“Thought You'd Never Ask” by Folk Road Show – A Song Feature

      It’s a song that hurls itself into an invigorating tempo, and we made the decision to share “Thought You'd Never Ask” before reading the backstory that brings relatability and happy-for-you warmth. The single from Folk Road Show is a vocal tour de force, with lead vocals that welcome listener participation and with band harmonies that deserve applause. Still, it’s a mistake to focus on the voices and underappreciate the contributions of the rhythm section and lead guitar.

     The backstory that is shared on Soundcloud:
  Picture this... It's 1998. You and your friends are hanging out at school on a high from seeing “The Wedding Singer” for the first time the night before. You're quoting all the quotes, singing all the songs, and laughing all the laughs, when this certain someone you've had a crush on all year walks by and says "Hey, are you going to the dance tonight?". Now you're kinda nerdy, kinda shy, but your inner super hero spouts back "Only if you're going." Inside you melt into a puddle, and they walk away.
  Flash forward to the dance. You're standing against the wall, hands in pockets, nervous as hell. Good thing you're looking extra fly with your pressed shirt and gelled hair. Suddenly, “Truly Madly Deeply” by Savage Garden comes on the PA and you take a moment realize it's the most romantic song ever written. Then, through the sparkling glaze of the disco ball, you see that special someone waking straight towards you. In a frozen moment in time, they gaze into your eyes and ask "Wanna dance?"

     With the story as evidence, it isn’t surprising that Folk Road Show is a quartet in which each member holds songwriting/storytelling skills. They are Benjamin James Caldwell (vocals, various instruments), Dominique Fricot (vocals, guitar), Olaf Caarls (vocals, guitar, harmonica), and Nicholas Petrowich (drums, other instruments). Since 2014, they have extensively toured Canada and Europe (thus the name Folk Road Show?). The quartet is multinational – Petrowich (Canada), Caarls (the Neterhalnds), Fricot (Canada) Caldwell (Australia/New Zealand).

      In describing the motivation for “Thought You'd Never Ask,” the band explained:
  "Thought You'd Never Ask" is taken from a line in the 2007 film “The Bucket List.” Upon discovering he is terminally ill, Morgan Freeman's character asks the man in the bed beside him (Jack Nicholson) if he'd like to play cards, to which he replies, "I thought you'd never ask." Furthermore, the song paints a picture of the trepidation with dancing at a prom. It urges the listener to be vulnerable and to take the chance and dance. TYNA is an up-tempo clap-along, with big harmonies, a swinging beat and moody undertone. It is the first single of the upcoming collection of songs under the same name.

     “Thought You'd Never Ask” by Folk Road Show 




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