It’s not every week that a four-piece Aussie indie band rocks up in London and completely wows you over with their utterly addictive brand of no-nonsense pop. Unless, of course, you were one of those lucky or prescient enough to make it to Hoxton Square to witness San Cisco’s terrific set.
With just a couple of EPs to their name, San Cisco arrive with a modest reputation built largely off the back of their insanely catchy single Awkward – which was a hit in their homeland, and has managed to ratchet up several million plays on YouTube.
Drummer/vocalist Scarlett Stevens initiates the proceedings, laying down an instantly addictive, thrusting rhythm – the first of many. Then a pair of jerky, spiky guitar riffs join in, and within moments they have you won over.
Sonically, they’re the cool cousins of Arctic Monkeys, with a similar disposition for quickly switching their dynamics from rock to pop, and back again.
They may not yet have enough material for a full album or set, but the songs they do have are bright, smart, and – most importantly – fun. Lover is the chirpiest two and half minutes you’ll ever hear and the gorgeous Beach features some delicious synth work, giving the track an ethereal quality that will –unsurprisingly – take you away to Australia’s west coasts.
There are many things to enjoy about San Cisco live. Front-man Jordi Davieson – who looks like Joseph Gordon-Levitt reborn as a guitar player – is effortlessly cool, and the vocal interplay he shares with Stevens and second-guitarist Josh Biondillo about the pitfalls of adolescence gives a real spark to the crestfallen lyrics. They’re lyrics we’ve all heard before, but just not with such chic.
Immediately loveable, effortlessly cool and endlessly enjoyable: your new favourite band awaits.
Verdict: •••••
Tom Yates
Photos:
For further information on San Cisco and future shows visit here.
Watch the video for Awkward here
