I had the absolute pleasure of seeing solo artist Front Porch Step live and acoustic, opening up for Transit, on the Acoustic Basement Tour. Â Jake Mcelfresh, an Ohio native, stepped on stage, got his guitar, and was instantly intriguing. Â He had a lot of personality, and was confident and charming. Â As if it wasn’t enough that I found his demeanor wonderful, his music was even more impressive.
His song “Aware” is stunning. Â His heartbreaking lyrics made me want to burst out crying, and his powerful and gut wrenching voice was a twisting knife I couldn’t get enough of. Â “You say you want me for a friend. I hope you know I hate that sound. But I will bite my tongue because I hate when you’re pissed off. But you should know I need your touch like falling rain on thirsty crops.” Â His words are so harsh and honest, but the line that really got to me was, “Well I hate your cigarettes and the men that you go see because one is killing you, while the other’s killing me. But I know that you’ll stay stubborn because you know I’ll stay alone.” Â This man’s a poet, and reminds me of a folkier Conor Oberst with a stronger voice, and it’s fantastic.
“Angels and Demons” was absolutely chilling. Â His gritty and dynamic voice filled the room, and my eyes were locked on him. Â His passion was overwhelming, and he had such a strong presence. Â The last words of the song haunted me- “God cuffed the devil ’cause he had my soul. Cut off his hands and claimed he stole. The devil sat there bleeding and crying, all confused. ‘Cause when I signed that paper to give him his share. Me and Mr. Lucifer were both unaware that the soul that I sold him had long belonged to you.”
Front Porch Step is painfully raw and genuine, forcing you to delve deep into yourself, no matter how much it hurts. Â It draws out self-reflection and really makes you think.