San Fermin (band)

San Fermin

San Fermin performing at SXSW in 2014
Background information
Origin Brooklyn, New York, United States
Genres Baroque Pop
Years active 2011-present
Labels Downtown Records
Associated acts Lucius, Nico Muhly
Website http://www.sanferminband.com
Members Ellis Ludwig-Leone
Allen Tate
Charlene Kaye
Rebekah Durham
John Brandon
Stephen Chen
Tyler McDiarmid
Michael Hanf
Past members Rae Cassidy

San Fermin is an American baroque pop band started by Brooklyn-based composer and songwriter Ellis Ludwig-Leone. They released their self-titled debut album on Downtown Records on September 17, 2013. Their sophomore album Jackrabbit was released on April 21, 2015.

History

San Fermin took shape after Ludwig-Leone's graduation from Yale University, where he studied composition.[1] While still in college, he assisted composer Nico Muhly, known for his work with Antony and the Johnsons, Sufjan Stevens, and Grizzly Bear, on several film scores and operas.[1] Despite being in several bands in high school and even some during college, Ludwig-Leone did not decide to focus on making pop music until the end of his college career: "I put on a concert with some new pieces I had written for female singers, and then we ended the night with some pop tunes from the band, for which I made these totally over-the-top arrangements. It was then I realized that I could bring these things together."[2]

After his graduation from Yale, Ludwig-Leone retreated to Canada's secluded Banff Centre, where he wrote what would eventually become San Fermin.[1] The album was recorded shortly after. It features performances by 22 musicians, including vocals from Ludwig-Leone's longtime collaborator Allen Tate, as well as Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig of Lucius.[2] While Tate is a member of the touring ensemble, Wolfe and Laessig are not, with Rae Cassidy performing the female parts in the band's live performances instead.[3] Cassidy's interpretations of the songs have been praised by numerous critics, including Paul Krugman of The New York Times.[4] The New Yorker recognized the musicianship of the entire eight-piece live ensemble, noting their ability to "deliver epic and emotion-laden rock, with glorious and operatic vocals, electronic break beats, horns, strings, and other flourishes."[5] In April 2014, Cassidy left the band to focus on her solo career and was replaced by Charlene Kaye.[6]

The band released their self-titled debut on September 17, 2013 via Downtown Records to positive reviews. NPR called the record "one of the year's most surprising, ambitious, evocative and moving records," praising Ludwig-Leone for his ability to write a collection of songs "as easy to love as they are to admire."[7] Pitchfork also gave the album a positive review, declaring the album's lead single "Sonsick", which was released December 2012, "deliriously infectious."[8][9] The album reached #18 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers album chart.[10]

On December 7th, 2014, the band teased their new single "Parasites" via Instagram.[11] The next day, NPR premiered the track and announced that the band's second album Jackrabbit would be released on April 21, 2015.[12]

Discography

Albums

EPs

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Gurrie, Samantha. "Life's Opera". Aritzia. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bell, William (1 July 2013). "San Fermin - Interview". Bowlegs. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  3. ↑ Mueller, Matt (23 September 2013). "San Fermin a band of characters, about characters". On Milwaukee. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  4. ↑ Krugman, Paul (8 November 2013). "Friday Night Music: San Fermin". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  5. ↑ "Going On About Town: Nightlife - San Fermin". The New Yorker. 9 December 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.
  6. ↑ http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/musicandnightlife/milwaukee-native-rae-cassidy-quits-buzz-band-san-fermin-b99241526z1-254213981.html
  7. ↑ Thompson, Stephen (8 September 2013). "First Listen: San Fermin, 'San Fermin'". NPR. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  8. ↑ Larson, Jeremy D. (30 September 2013). "San Fermin: San Fermin". Pitchfork. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  9. ↑ Snapes, Laura (15 May 2013). "San Fermin: "Sonsick"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  10. ↑ "San Fermin – San Fermin : Awards : AllMusic". All Media Network, LLC. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  11. ↑ http://instagram.com/p/wUWzjqpNpg
  12. ↑ "Song Premiere: San Fermin, 'Parasites'". 8 December 2014.

External links