PREVIEW: Question of the Century: Traditional Folk Chemistry For Modern Times
01/29 @ Caffè Lena, Saratoga Springs
“Folk music is maybe more necessary than ever…”
Lately, I’ve been feeling the pull towards two very distinct types of music: down and dirty punk rock, and poetic folk. You can use your imagination as to why.
If you’re in the same boat, it’s the perfect time for local folk duo, Question of the Century, to be headlining Caffè Lena for the first time. For the unacquainted, the duo joins Saratoga Springs songwriters, Francis Davies and Ellie Ushakov, in perfect harmony. Literally; their voices meld together as effortlessly as Simon and Garfunkel, or Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Their pluckin’ chops are just as wicked, too. (I’ll see myself out).
I had the opportunity to ask the duo a few questions ahead of their headlining performance, which is a full-circle moment for the two of them.
“Caffè Lena has been my main source of musical community here in Saratoga,” Francis tells me. “I've been volunteering at the Caffè for four years and I interned there doing graphic design and social media for them. The group of staff members and volunteers has a really close-knit, sort of familial bond that's lovely to be a part of.”
Ellie was also a social media intern while the pair were at Skidmore. Still, even with plenty of experience inside the building, setting foot on the same stage that so many folk heroes have played on remains as surreal as you might expect.
“Like many people, I have a lot of musical heroes who have played on that stage — Al Stewart, Richard Thompson, Bob Dylan, of course,” Ellie says. “[We’ve] played the Lena stage before, but this is our first time just doing a set as ourselves. It's something I've long dreamed about! I'm really excited (albeit nervous, but who wouldn't be?) and I look forward to getting to share our songs with people.”
Question of the Century’s songs make perfect sense within those hallowed walls. They are rife with harmonies and acoustic instrumentation of course, but they are also laced with history. A large number of their songs were inspired by actual historical events, some dating back centuries. It’s an impressive and unique source of inspiration that suits them well, but it’s not the only tool in their toolboxes.
“I find musical inspiration in many different places,” Francis admits. “Sometimes, a phrase that someone says strikes me in a musical way. Other times, it's reading about historical events or a newspaper article. Still other times, I just noodle around on an instrument until I find something I like. I'm most satisfied by songs of mine that tell a story or have an element of wordplay.”
In the spirit of history, it’s impossible to ignore the impact of social issues on folk music… and vice versa. As if it wasn’t apparent every time you open your social media app of choice, the turmoil going on here and abroad invites a lot of commentary. It’s moments like these, for better or worse, that folk music was made for. Speaking truth to power. Preaching peace and love. Giving a voice to the voiceless. It’s no wonder that Ellie believes so much of the protest music we know and love from the ‘60s and earlier might as well have been written today.
“Francis and I do a song in our set by Phil Ochs called "Power and Glory," and it hits me very deeply and brings a lot of current events to mind each time we play it. There are a lot of artists from the younger generations around today, too, carrying on the tradition of topical songwriting. I'm very grateful for Jesse Welles, because his songs are unapologetically a product of our time.”
”Folk music is maybe more necessary than ever,” Francis adds. “With the amount of deeply upsetting information being thrown at us all the time and with people's attention spans shrinking, political music seems to be a good way to stop people from tuning out. Get their attention with a song and leave them feeling that they can make change and there are other people fighting the same battle.”
Bonding over such music is ultimately how Question of the Century formed in the first place. Francis recalls meeting Ellie the summer before their freshman year at Skidmore. They struck up conversation after learning they each had a fondness for ‘60s and ‘70s music, which further proves the point that music (and art, for that matter) is a bonding element like no other.
“Even before we became roommates, we knew we wanted to make music together; it was just lucky that our voices and instrumentation meshed so well.”
“We started out singing our favorite music together—lots of Simon & Garfunkel, especially, because of their harmonies!” Ellie recalls. “Gradually, we began introducing our original songs into our sets. We each write individually, so we decided to take some of our own songs and arrange them for two people. We also decided early on that we'd give ourselves the freedom to record and play out on our own alongside being in the band, which has been nice. Above all, we are two friends who like to make music together, and we’re incredibly lucky to have met the way we did!”
Their chemistry on stage is proof of that, each member allowing the other their space to speak about their respective songs, share stories and little jokes with the audience. But when the music starts, they are a fully pieced-together puzzle, adhered with invisible glue at the back. The Caffè Lena audience is in for a treat tomorrow night, but if you don’t want to just take my word for it, Ellie is happy to share what’s in store.
“Heavy metal! No, just kidding. If you like harmonies and fun instruments like banjo and mandolin, you can look forward to hearing plenty of that! Our friend Cora [Burch] is opening the night, and I'm very excited for people to get to hear her songs, because she's incredible.”
For tickets and more information, visit https://www.Caffèlena.org/event/sweet-petunia-with-opener-question-of-the-century/
