The Acoustic Ending: Vulnerability as Power
Cory Marks
Cris Cohen: The bridge between the previous album, Sorry For Nothing, Volume 1, and this one, Sorry For Nothing, Volume 2... I found it interesting that you released an acoustic version of the song “Sorry for Nothing” on this one. What amazed me is that it was just as defiant as the fully plugged-in version. It’s defiant, but with a little bit of vulnerability to it. How do you see the two different versions of that song?
Cory Marks: I think the fully produced version obviously just adds a little more instrumental to it. But the acoustic version is more or less me singing directly to you. On tour, what I’ve been doing — and it’s been working out brilliantly — is we have the full band show. It’s big and loud. We play “Outlaws and Outsiders,” obviously the big one. But then I end the show with just me and the fans and “Sorry for Nothing” to promote the album.
I remember making the set list for this year and thinking, let’s try that out and see how that works. It’s just been going over so well. I did it on the Dorothy tour across the US and on all the festival dates this summer, and it just works very well. I think it’s just two different versions. Honestly, that’s what a great song can do, whether it’s plugged in or just solo acoustic. It’s still defiant, still got that profound meaning and story behind it. That one to me is still a very special song.
Cris Cohen: It is fascinating when you see an artist that just goes ultimate vulnerable. “It’s just going to be me and the guitar and all of you for this last little bit.” I’m betting that has maybe more of an emotional punch sometimes.
Cory Marks: Yeah, it does for me too, even though I’m the one up there singing the song. I find it’s a very special moment because people really connect with that vulnerability. It’s just me, the guitar, the song, and everybody that cares to stay and listen. It’s kind of a message for the fans… me saying thank you. It’s ending the show how it all started for me, which is just me, the guitar, a song, and hopefully a bunch more fans. It’s a special moment.
Fantastic insight into the power of stripping things down. The idea of ending with just acoustic after a full band show is brilliant because it creates this contrast that amplifys the emotional weight. What Cory's doing reminds me of how some comedy shows end with a sincere moment, it's that shift that makes peolpe lean in and really feel something instead of just experiencing it.