San Cisco Between You And Me Interview

'Between You and Me' is the fourth album by the indie trio from Fremantle in Western Australia, town of sun-baked sandstone and sea breezes. It's an album two years and at least one sadly remembered love affair in the making.

Featuring the singles 'When I Dream' and 'Skin', both triple j Hottest 100 voted songs, the groove-laden 'Reasons' and new single 'On the Line' it's clear 'Between You and Me' tells a widescreen story of loss and letting go.

'Between You and Me' was recorded between a big blue barn in Mullumbimby in Northern New South Wales and the bands own studio in Fremantle with longtime band collaborator Steve Schram producing with extra production from POND's James Ireland.

"I feel like we're all equally invested in this record," says Jordi. "It's a feeling we haven't really had since the first record, when you release a bunch of songs you've been playing for two or three years. We've really grown with these songs. I still love them the same as the day we wrote them."

Interview with San Cisco

Question: How would you describe your music?

San Cisco : Really good pop music!


Question: Can you tell us about your album Between You And Me?

San Cisco : We wrote the album over the space of two years, in our home studio in Fremantle as well as on a ranch in Mullumbimby on the east coast. A lot of it was written in the studio. We worked with a couple of different producers and mixers on this album so it was exciting to have new people to collaborate with. Before we even started the writing process, Jordi had the idea to call it 'Between You and Me', which I think helped us form an overall narrative for the album. I think the name influenced the songwriting as well as the visuals and album aesthetic. A lot of the lyrics draw on relationships we have experienced, platonic or romantic, of loss and letting go of friendships.


Question: What inspired your latest song Messages?

San Cisco : Jordi originally wrote the lyrics about me being a bad friend, because I'd take ages to reply to him! I ended up singing it so I tweaked a few lyrics and put my own spin on it which ended up being a really productive process for our friendship. It's also about coming to terms with the fact a friendship isn't working out, and that it's okay to let go and still be happy for them and wish them all the best in life.

Question: Is there a particular message you hope listeners take from your music?

San Cisco : There isn't a specific message we are trying to convey because we are really just reflecting on personal experience, but I hope our fans and listeners find their own meaning in that. I guess the themes we draw on are very much universal so it's easy for people to relate.


Question: Do you write your music as a group? What is your creative process?

San Cisco : It changes all the time. Sometimes Jordi will write a verse and chorus on acoustic guitar and we will turn it into a pop song or Josh will have a riff and we'll brainstorm ideas for lyrics together. Most of the songs come from demos/voice memos and we slowly build from there.


Question: Which is your favourite song to perform live and why?

San Cisco : I really like performing 'Skin', we wrote a little intro for it which is really fun to play. It's also a really good sing along.


Question: If you could have anyone, in the world, attend a show, who would it be?

San Cisco : Dolly Parton.

Question: What is the story behind the band name?

San Cisco : We used to be called King George when we were teenagers and we were really into folk music. Then when we changed the style of our music to what it is now and we felt we needed a different name. So we made a shortlist of names and asked people to vote, and San Cisco won and we never looked back.


Question: How did the band come together?

San Cisco : Jordi, Josh and Nick went to school together. I knew Jordi since we were kids and we both grew up playing in different bands. In 2008 he won some recording time through WAM and asked me to be in his band for the recording and that's when I met Josh. Nick joined when we had our first show at a farmers market down south of WA. We've been a band for 10 years now, with a few line-up changes along the way.


Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

San Cisco : My parents both worked in the music industry. They owned a live music venue called Mojo's when I was little, so I would always go and watch bands soundcheck and that's what made me want to be a musician.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

San Cisco : Pharrell Williams.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?
San Cisco : Getting to travel the world and tour with some amazing bands, meeting so many incredible, hard working and talented people... Having a creative outlet and being your own boss.


Question: What's next, for you?

San Cisco : We are releasing the album on the fourth of September so we are very excited about that. Hopefully we can play some shows in WA!


Question: Can you share your socials? (links please)

San Cisco : Facebook

Instagram


Interview by Gwen van Montfort