It is hard to deny the talents of Fremantle’s hottest indie pop group San Cisco.
Having already released two successful EPs and a string of singles, this four-piece have truly turned a new leaf and proven their maturity as musicians with the recent release of their debut self-titled album.
As all diehard fans would already know, one of the benefits of pre-ordering the debut was that it would be hand signed by all four band members, a task which bassist Nick Gardner says can come with its fair share of difficulties. “We had a lot of issues with ink running,” he jokes. “But I guess overall it wasn’t too bad.”
Currently on the road to promote the album, Gardner explains how the band could not have been more excited to start touring the country once again. “We’ve been waiting a while now to get back on the road in Australia” he says with a sense of satisfaction.
“Recently we’ve been doing a lot of international stuff which has been fun, but not as much fun as Australia.”
Although already an international success in the UK and Europe, and slowly making a name for themselves in the US – with an announced appearance set for SXSW 2013 – Gardner ensures the band will never move overseas to further their craft. “We’ll definitely always be based in WA,” he assures, “probably always in Fremantle as well.”
The first single to come from the album, ‘Wild Things’, may be mistaken for a reference to the classic children’s novel, but Gardner believes that couldn’t be further from the truth.“It was kind of surprising to see ‘Awkward’ get so big. We’re trying to change everyone’s opinion on us with this new album I suppose.”
“Jordi [Davieson, frontman] did tell me once what that song was all about, but I’ve kind of forgotten now,” chirps Gardner. “I’m pretty sure it was just a general social comment about somebody or something.”
Many of you may still be unfamiliar with San Cisco by name, however it would be almost impossible to not have heard their 2011 smash hit single ‘Awkward’.
Despite the success it has brought them, including making the #7 position in Triple J’s Hottest 100 of 2011, Gardner explains it’s not particular their favourite song in the back catalogue.
“It wasn’t really anything that reflects us as a band very much, so it was kind of surprising to see it get so big. We’re trying to change everyone’s opinion on us with this new album I suppose,” he says.
Looking back and reflecting on how the song came about, Gardner reveals that there wasn’t really much to it. “That song wasn’t really pre-meditated in any sense, it was a very surprise recording. After we finished lunch and went back with a few hours left in the session, we kind of wrote it and recorded it then in a couple of hours,” he explains.
Gardner also mentions that even though the debut album has just been released, new material is already in the works for a future release. “We’ve jammed on a few little bits and pieces, but nothing too substantial yet. We’re still getting over the momentum of releasing this album I guess”, he laughs.
The recent achievement of reaching over 50,000 followers on their official Facebook page, is a clear indication of the love and dedication San Cisco have from their fans. What is even more impressive is the fact that a large percentage of their followers come from overseas.“It’s getting kind of hot over here in WA, so Jordi and I have been fishing a lot, we went crabbing last night too.”
“If you look at the distribution of our Facebook likes, you’ll see a lot of them are from Mexico which is really cool. I’ve never been there but I’d love to go one day,” says Gardner. “Hopefully it means we’ll be able to play there in the future. It gives us something to look forward to!”
What makes the San Cisco story even sweeter is the fact that all of the members have been friends dating back to their high school years. As Gardner says, “It’s really how it all came together for us. We were all mates who hung out outside of school, and that’s what resulted in the band.”
Not only their clos friendships paid off musically, but according to Gardner, having drummer Scarlett Steven’s father Phil, (the founder of Jarrah Records) as a manager certainly didn’t hurt.
“Phil’s been a real massive part of the band, he’s in some ways a driving force for us all” explains Gardner, although he insists their relationship hasn’t always been business related. “I use to go riding with him a lot, he’s just a really cool guy.”
Gardner also elaborates on what he and his fellow San Cisconians like to get up to in their spare time, “It’s getting kind of hot over here in WA, so Jordi and I have been fishing a lot, we went crabbing last night too.”
Fans have every reason to get excited about what’s to come in 2013. With no signs of slowing down and upcoming appearances at major festivals like Falls, Southbound, and next year’s SXSW as well as supporting The Vaccines on their US Tour in January/February, things seem to be kicking off for these relative newcomers.
When considering where they may be in a year, Gardner has one goal in mind. “If we can move as far in the next twelve months as we have in the last twelve months, I’ll be pretty stoked.”
San Cisco is out now, read the Tone Deaf review here. San Cisco play Southbound (details here) and the Falls Festival at New Year’s, details here.
