Cole Scheifele - “Maybe”
Photo by @eastenjack
You’d think that Colorado would be a mecca for the American folk scene, but Cole Scheifele is one of only a few Denver-based artists who have ever sent us any music. And with a track like “Maybe,” he has now helped to set the bar unreasonably high, and not just because he resides so far above sea level.
“Maybe” begins just the way we want all of our favorite indie-folk songs to begin, with a gently strummed acoustic guitar, highlighted by extravagant moments of some ghostly lap steel. Straight out of the gate, Scheifele has earned our complete devotion, but where he completely blows our minds is in the vocal department.
We are fairly consistent at declining to share folk songs because they fail to move us vocally. And though we are quite fond of the way artists like Elliott Smith or Bon Iver utilize a double-tracked mode of delivery, we are constantly telling artists that we prefer Gregory Alan Isakov’s raw and emotional storytelling. In this case, we are very pleased to inform you that Scheifele nails the very approach taken by Isakov.
With “Maybe,” the words flow from Scheifele as though he’s sat us down to tell us his truth. He uses no modern production tactics to try and dress up the performance– he very simply tells it like it is, but he does so in such a way that for this track’s five-minute runtime, every other sound in the world ceases to exist.
As the track moves forward, additional elements are provided, including a synthy backdrop for a cinematic atmosphere, as well as some softly layered vocal harmonies. The acoustic guitar gradually gets played a bit harder and Scheifele’s voice intensifies, bringing a gradual and natural crescendo to the entire production. This is how you do it, folks.
Upon listening to “Maybe,” you may find yourself wanting more. This is the part where we are pleased to inform you that Scheifele is not new to the scene, and you should feel more than welcome to take a trip down his catalogue, including his June release, “Cutting The Cosmos,” another remarkable addition to the great big world of folk music. It’s a bit more upbeat than “Maybe,” complete with a full rhythm section, but, again, Scheifele’s voice will reach right into you and show you the face of your soul.
-TM