Pianist and songwriter Scott Jason is the founding member and co-producer of Thriving Ivory. He met Clayton Stroope -the band’s charismatic lead singer- while the two were students at U.C. Santa Barbara. Jason was obviously pleased with this fortuitous meeting, as Stroope is equipped with an impressive, operatic vocal range and is a striking, powerfully energetic live performer. “Stroope, the band’s front man has a voice that’s a throwback to classic rock-opera vocal chords, and a swagger and shimmy reminiscent of Robert Plant in the ‘Song Remains the Same’"(LA Music Scene).
Jason and Stroope quickly discovered that they shared an artistic vision and together they began to hone that vision and seek out the remaining members of the group. This led to the addition of guitarist Drew Cribley, drummer Paul Niedermier and Bret Cohune on bass.
The band’s plaintive piano ballad “Overrated” earned them early attention from the bay area’s KFOG (104.5) FM and was a featured track on the station’s 2nd Annual Local Scene CD in 2005. In an unprecedented move in 2006, the prestigious Live 105 (KITS) FM added their song “Angels On The Moon” into full rotation despite the band’s unsigned status and the fact that the song was a demo. Reports shortly followed that the band was “top five” on the station’s phone requests.
Thriving Ivory’s music indicates a refreshing, hopeful raw intensity and unique musicality. Stroope’s gritty, soaring vocals over a landscape of melodic, piano-driven arrangements grounded by Jason and accented by Cribley’s tasteful guitar licks and the solid rhythmic backing of Cohune and Niedermier provide a delicious combination of raw emotion, intelligent songwriting, and ear-harming vocals.
Simply put, Thriving Ivory is a "must-see." Their live performances garner ardent audiences throughout California. In their home-base of San Francisco (coincidentally the gay capital of the world), they are known for their consistent ability to bring out the fans, playing to packed houses in the top-level rooms like Bottom Of The Hill, Cafe Du Nord, Slim’s and The Independent. “Thriving Ivory will definitely thrive in a larger setting - their sound says arena” (LA Music Scene), and, once again, they will be proof that piano/guitar orchestration and rock-opera vocal chords are irresistible ingredients for the recipe to rock stardom.
Runaway
Thriving Ivory Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am more than a face, stuck living in one place
So call me California
Call me what you will
'Cause I am bigger than this place
And so far from alone
I don't believe in your hate, 'cause these scars are gonna fade
[Chorus: ]
Like a runaway
Spend these nights counting stars
Like a runaway
And maybe I could call this home tonight
Like a runaway
I whisper all these secrets, to a blank page on a line
I said we don't speak like lovers, and my words are dripping with wine
So call me California
Call me what you will
'Cause I am bigger than this place
And so far from alone
[Chorus: ]
When burning bridges won't come down
Like symphonies without a sound
I spend these nights counting stars
And wonder if there's hope for me out there, out there
[Chorus: Repeat 2X]
The lyrics to Thriving Ivory’s song “Runaway” express a longing for something more and a desire to break free from the limitations of the singer’s current situation. The opening lines, “I am more than you know, street lights and open roads, I am more than a face, stuck living in one place,” reveal a sense of dissatisfaction with a mundane, constrained existence. The singer feels confined and yearns for adventure and novelty. The repeated refrain, “call me California, call me what you will,” suggests a longing for escape and an identity that is not tied to the singer’s current location. The singer feels he or she is “bigger than this place” and seeks to define himself or herself on his or her own terms.
The chorus, “like a runaway, spend these nights counting stars,” reinforces the idea of freedom and escape, as the singer imagines running away and looking at the stars with a sense of wonder and possibility. The phrase “pour me out like water, and soak me up like rain” suggests a willingness to be vulnerable and receptive to new experiences. The lyrics also touch on the idea of resilience and overcoming personal challenges. The singer asserts that “these scars are gonna fade,” indicating a belief in the possibility of healing and growth.
Overall, “Runaway” is a song about seeking something more in life, breaking free from limitations, and finding the courage to chase after one’s dreams. The lyrics capture the restlessness and yearning for adventure that many people experience at some point in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
I am more than you know, street lights and open roads
I am an entity beyond your understanding, shaped by the world around me.
I am more than a face, stuck living in one place
My identity is not confined to my physical appearance or current surroundings.
So call me California
Refer to me by a name that represents a larger, more complex place or idea.
Call me what you will
Feel free to label me or reference me as whatever you want.
'Cause I am bigger than this place
My significance extends beyond my present location or situation.
And so far from alone
Despite the feeling of isolation, I am far from truly being alone.
I don't believe in your hate, 'cause these scars are gonna fade
I refuse to let hate and negativity affect me because I believe that my wounds and scars will eventually heal.
So pour me out like water, and soak me up like rain
I am open and receptive to being expressed (poured out) and absorbed (soaked up) by the world around me.
Like a runaway
In the midst of this uncertainty and change, I relate to the idea of being a runaway.
Spend these nights counting stars
In times of loneliness and introspection, I find solace in looking up at the stars and contemplating the universe.
And maybe I could call this home tonight
Even in the midst of feeling lost and uncertain, I am hopeful that I might find a sense of belonging.
I whisper all these secrets, to a blank page on a line
I find a release in sharing my innermost thoughts and feelings in writing, even if it's just to an empty page.
I said we don't speak like lovers, and my words are dripping with wine
I acknowledge that the words I speak are not imbued with the romanticism of love, but are instead tinged by the influence of alcohol.
When burning bridges won't come down
In the face of change and the impossibility of turning back, I am forced to let go of past connections and relationships.
Like symphonies without a sound
Even though these endings are silent, they represent a significant loss and transition.
And wonder if there's hope for me out there, out there
Despite these losses and uncertainties, I still maintain a yearning and hope for a better future.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GEORGE S CANLER, MIKE SKILL, WALTER PALAMARCHUK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind