"We didn't grow up in LA," says primary songwriter and singer Scott Salmon. "We have never had a choice but to make our own breaks." A strong Midwestern work ethic has undoubtedly played a significant role in Cavashawn's success. The band has tirelessly booked themselves hundreds of shows across the U.S. over the past 2 years, from great cities like New York, Atlanta, and Philadelphia to the most humble of college towns in Ohio, Wisconsin, and Indiana. All while full-time students, Salmon and crew also managed to write and demo almost 100 songs.
As a songwriter, Salmon manages to balance pop sensibility with a sharp intuition for authenticity, something that is not lost on Cavashawn's diverse fan base. His thoughtful lyrics often focus upon the common struggles of self-discovery that are encountered in one's coming of age. Cavashawn's unique sound, however, seems to come from each band member's individual musical perspective. "Our tastes are so different that it's kind of bizarre we're all in the same band" says guitarist Chris Hellmann. But it is exactly this tension that makes for the band's distinctive blend of pop, rock, and funk. "We've never really played with anyone that sounds anything like us," says Hellmann. "But at the same time we share bills with a variety of bands across genres and feel completely comfortable."
The group considers musicianship critical to being a believable band. "We have a strong distaste," explains bassist Benton Kubicki, "for bands that sound great recorded but put on cheap, lackluster live shows. Its poor form." Energetic and passionate live performances, an absolutely vital component of the band's success, are highlighted both by Salmon's wild and dramatic presence as a frontman and the skilled, mature musicianship of the rest of the group. "We strive to be tasteful, but exciting musicians," explains Kubicki. "We all appreciate the simplicity of say, 'Blackbird,' or a lot of Oasis songs, but also the musicianship of a Sting solo record, or Steely Dan."
A shrewd business sense certainly hasn't hurt the group either. "We consider ourselves lucky to be able to sustain ourselves with our own original music" says drummer Jesse Feister, who along with Hellmann has undertaken many of the day-to-day responsibilities of the group. The band's hard work traveling and writing has literally paid off, as touring revenue and strong digital sales allow them to live modestly together in Chicago as full-time musicians, a rare situation among independent bands. "The goal has always been to make a career out of music," says Feister. "At this point, we're finally starting to do that on our own. Being the type of band we are, I think we will certainly benefit from working with a label of some sort, but it's comforting to know we can always fall back on ourselves."
As Cavashawn continues to develop and grow, the future is bright for this young group. They recently have earned opportunities to play in front of larger crowds, grabbing opening slots for acts like One Republic, Better Than Ezra, and Ingram Hill and being selected for regional festivals, including Milwaukee's Summerfest. The group is building on that momentum, selling out small venues in Chicago, Cincinnati, and Columbus, and building in other large Midwest markets as well.
Cavashawn released their 4-song EP, produced by Marc McClusky (Ludo, Farewell, Powerspace) in February, with heavy Midwest touring to follow.
Friendly Fire
Cavashawn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know I want you
I can't have you
Please don't rub it in
It's only skin deep
As all the trouble that I'm in here
Won't shed a single tear
Just force a smile and walk the miles that lie ahead
You touch me
And you burn me
I feel your friendly fire
Well, I know you better than you'll ever know yourself
Funny that it works that way
Your friendly fire flies further than most everyone can tell
Well, I know you better than you'll ever know yourself
I know far too well
Yes, you made your point
You know I want you
I can't have you
Please don't rub it in
It's only skin deep
Are all the wounds that you've inflicted
You seem addicted to your lack of interest
That's persistant
You touch me
And you burn me
I feel your friendly fire
I know you better than you'll ever know yourself
Funny that it works that way
Your friendly fire flies further than most everyone can tell
But I can still see your flame
Who are you
To say that I
Should follow you away from the fire?
So who are you
To say that I
Should follow you away from the fire?
'Cause I know you better than you'll ever know yourself
Funny that it works that way
Your friendly fire flies further than most everyone can tell
Yea, yea, yea
Well, I know you
You know me
Well, I know you better than you'll ever think
Well, I know you
You know me
Well, I know you better than you'll ever think
You touch me
And burn me
I feel your friendly fire
Yes, you made your point
You know I want you
I can't have you
Please don't rub it in
It's only skin
The lyrics of the song "Friendly Fire" by Cavashawn talks about the pain of unrequited love and the frustration of being unable to have the person someone desires. The song speaks to the longing for someone and the realization that they will never reciprocate those same feelings. The first few lines set the tone of the song, where it is conveyed that the singer knows they cannot have the person they want, but that this person knows how they feel. The chorus highlights the impact of the other person's actions, as they touch and burn the singer like "friendly fire." Despite the pain, the singer understands the person they desire better than they understand themselves. The irony of this is pointed out as "funny that it works that way."
The second half of the song is a conversation between the two people. This can be seen with the line "who are you to say that I should follow you away from the fire?" The lyrics here illustrate that the singer is aware of the consequences of following someone they desire and understands they will get hurt. However, the chorus is repeated again with the line, "I know you better than you'll ever think," indicating that the singer understands the person they want, even though they cannot have them. The song concludes with a repetition of the first two stanzas, emphasizing once again the pain and the acceptance that the desire is only skin-deep.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes, you made your point
Acknowledging that the other person has made their opinion clear on the matter being discussed.
You know I want you
Admitting that the other person is desired and wanted by the singer.
I can't have you
Expressing the inability to have the other person due to circumstances beyond the singer's control.
Please don't rub it in
A request to the other person to refrain from reminding the artist about their unrequited feelings.
It's only skin deep
Implying that the attraction towards the other person is superficial and not deep-rooted.
As all the trouble that I'm in here
Referring to the issues and challenges that the singer is facing in life besides their feelings towards the other person.
Won't shed a single tear
Indicating that the singer won't cry or feel upset about the other person's unavailability.
Just force a smile and walk the miles that lie ahead
Deciding to put on a brave face and move forward in life despite the disappointment and pain caused by the unfulfilled love interest.
You touch me
Referring to the physical touch of the other person affecting the artist's emotions.
And you burn me
Imagery to suggest that the touch of the other person causes emotional pain and hurt to the artist.
I feel your friendly fire
Metaphorically comparing the emotional hurt caused by the other person to a 'friendly fire' which although not intentional, still hurts the singer.
Well, I know you better than you'll ever know yourself
Expressing a deep understanding of the other person's character, thoughts, and feelings by the artist.
Funny that it works that way
A recognition of the paradox that although the singer understands the other person well, the other person will never know themselves as well as the singer does.
Your friendly fire flies further than most everyone can tell
The effect of the other person's 'friendly fire' (emotional hurt) goes far and beyond just the two people involved, and can be observed by others.
I know far too well
Reiterating the point that the singer is intimately familiar with the hurt that the other person causes them.
Are all the wounds that you've inflicted
Referring to the emotional wounds caused by the other person's actions and behavior.
You seem addicted to your lack of interest
Implying that the other person enjoys the attention and attraction shown towards them, but does not reciprocate the feelings or interest shown by the artist.
That's persistent
Describing the behavior of the other person as being persistent in maintaining the status quo regarding their relationship dynamic.
Who are you
A challenging rhetorical question, expressing the singer's bewilderment at the other person's behavior.
To say that I
An accusation that the other person is trying to exert control or influence over the artist's actions and decisions.
Should follow you away from the fire?
Metaphorically referring to the burning passion and attraction the artist feels towards the other person, and suggesting that the other person is trying to dissuade the artist from pursuing those emotions.
'Cause I know you better than you'll ever know yourself
Repeating the earlier point that the artist understands the other person's personality and feelings better than the other person does themselves.
Yea, yea, yea
An interjection expressing the singer's frustration or impatience with the other person.
Well, I know you
Another reiteration of the point that the artist understands the other person.
You know me
Acknowledging that the other person is familiar with the singer's feelings and attraction for them.
Well, I know you better than you'll ever think
Asserting that the singer's understanding of the other person's behavior and emotions goes beyond what the other person believes about themselves.
And burn me
Repeating the metaphorical language used earlier to indicate that the other person's touch or behavior causes emotional pain to the singer.
Contributed by Harper Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.