Q&A: San Fermin in Finding Clarity in Conflict, Collaborations & Creativity

Q&AMusic

Jul 20

☆ BY Kaylie Minogue ☆

San Fermin warmly welcomes us into their world of conflicting emotions. Since 2013, the band has experimented with genres across the board. Not only is this a reflection of the band's musical knowledge, but it’s attracted a melting pot of collaborators. From the charming classical sounds of the Attica Quartet to indie sweethearts like Samia. San Fermin is building a world that is completely their own, and opening the doors for all of us to listen.

Throughout their time as a band, songwriter Ellis Ludwig-Leone has grappled with his experiences through hypnotic folksy melodies. Resolving these conflicts is a therapeutic journey for the members of San Fermin. Not only is it self assuring, but they always try to bring joy to those listening. Through these desires and collaboration with long-time friend and vocalist, Allen Tate, San Fermin presents us with their newest EP, Your Ghost.

In the past, Ludwig-Leone has been known for creating lush landscapes in his songs. He effortlessly brings together the drama of orchestral scores, indie guitar lines, and dreamy vocals. But on Your Ghost, Tate challenged him to strip it all back to the core. Instead of creating dramatic soundscapes, Tate pushed him to dive in with an emotional and direct approach. The EP instead features straightforward songwriting that hits close to the heart.

The band is releasing their latest single, “Someone You Can Call Baby” on their record label, Better Company Records. When they aren’t creating their own music, the members of San Fermin are busy lifting up the voices of other talented, independent musicians. Their most recent track features vocalist Claire Wellin, recalling the distance that grows between friends over time. The lyrics live atop intriguing guitar swells and a cathartic resolution that wraps up the emotional push and pull that comes with a San Fermin tune.

Read on below to become a valued member of the San Fermin universe.

LUNA:: You’ve said that your music “exists in a state of conflicted emotion”. Do you use songwriting as a way to better understand and cope with emotions, almost like a therapeutic tool? Or is it something different?

FERMIN: It sounds cliché but I do think there is a therapeutic aspect to writing songs. There’s something empowering about turning difficult experiences and emotions into something that brings joy to someone else, and in the meantime, it kind of changes your own associations with that experience in a positive way.

LUNA: On “Someone You Call Baby” you’ve said that you and your producer Allen argued a bit before the final track came together, that being said do you enjoy the process of collaborating with others or making music more on your own?

FERMIN: I love collaborating… it’s one of the best things about being in a band, that you need other people to bring these songs to life. Allen and I have worked together since we were fifteen, so there’s just a lot of history there. Every time I write a new song, we fight it out before it finds its final form. But that’s part of the fun of it, to kick the tires on the song from every angle and arrive at something you maybe didn’t expect.

LUNA: I feel like I can hear a lot of different elements in your newer tracks, where do you find yourself taking inspiration from? Musicians, art, books etc.

FERMIN: These songs were mostly about trying to be more emotionally direct. In the past, sometimes it’s been more through the lens of characters in movies or books, but these were more observational, trying to think about the craft of songwriting and making a line land in the right place.

LUNA: What is it like running your own label, Better Company Records? Are there any artists you’re working with we should be on the lookout for?

FERMIN: There are so many good artists! I love the community building part of it, how it gives you extra incentive to root for other artists. We have new music this month from Paul Moody, who is an amazing folk songwriter. Nathan Schram, who’s the violist in Attacca Quartet, has a really cool instrumental album coming out next week. We have tracks from Arly Scott and Sean McVerry coming down the pike… a super fun one from Blackbird Blackbird, and that’s all just next month. I’m really thankful to all of them that they trust us with their music, which is such an intimate relationship.

LUNA: I like the fact that “Your Ghost” details the imaginary experience of the ghost of your partner coming to life. Do you find it easier to create stories in your songs or do they come from a place of experience?

FERMIN: It really depends. Sometimes stories are easier because there’s a lens you can put your own experiences through, which allows you to explore them in a different way. But sometimes it’s best just to say the thing you want to say directly.

LUNA: What is your dream venue?

FERMIN: We played one of them last year! Prospect Park Bandshell was always the venue I wanted to play when I moved to New York. But in the future, I would love to play Red Rocks someday.

LUNA: Are the members of the band coffee or tea people?

FERMIN: Definitely coffee. John (trumpet player) has an extensive spreadsheet with coffee places across America, and extremely strong views about which ones are worth going to. I’m fine with Nespresso, myself.

LUNA: If you could have any other job in the world besides songwriting what do you think it would be?

FERMIN: Marine biologist. I wanna go in one of those submersibles.

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We couldn’t be more stoked to have Suriel Hess as our new headliner for our upcoming LA show 🤩 🫶 Not gonna lie, us & Notorious Noise kinda went OFF with this line up & you’re not gonna wanna miss it - ticket link in bio 🎫