Band of the Week: San Fermin

Sorry, who?

San Fermin is the brain-child of one pretty smart ‘music nerd’, if you will. Brooklyn composer and songwriter Ellis Ludwig-Leone studied classical music at Yale and upon graduating, decided to put together his seminal new album (self-titled, ‘San Fermin’) in the space of just six weeks.

Dreamed up entirely on his own, he composed all parts of every track in their entirety before working with any other musicians, giving the album an almost orchestral feel. This debut album is epic in every sense of the word and the eight-member strong live band that perform with Ludwig-Leone are just awesome.

What do they sound like?

Comparisons to The National can be made; they definitely have that same sweeping quality. But there’s just something altogether grander about San Fermin, their music is so delicate yet operatic… if that can be a thing.

They’re no party band, that’s for sure. For god’s sake don’t stick them on at a social gathering that involves jaeger bombs and ‘getting wasted’. San Fermin are maybe what you’d play on a post-party Sunday, when you’re lying hungover on the sofa in need of some musical salvation. That’s what they are, we suppose, musical medicine.

What should I listen to?

The whole album, released through Downtown Records, is without a doubt going to be worth a listen. We have a feeling it’s going to be one you have to put on and listen through to the end in one go.

If you’re looking for a good place to dip into though then you have to listen to ‘Sonsick’, the lead single. It’s pretty and compelling and so simplistic all at the same time. Plus the video is super cool.

Watch ‘Sonsick’ below:

By Lesley-Jane Carroll