Guitarist and vocalist Jordi Davieson and drummer Scarlett Stevens have known each other since they were children, and in early 2005 they formed a band called the Real Life Animators and played various local gigs. In late 2009 the Stevens and Davieson were joined by bassist Nick Gardner and named the band King George; however, the band shortly changed their name to San Cisco.
Under the name San Cisco, the band released their first EP entitled “Golden Revolver” in late 2010. The single of the same name as the EP received a lot of airplay on Australian radio. The band’s second EP, “Awkward” was released in 2012 and was voted into the seventh slot of Triple J’s Hottest 100 countdown in 2011. “Awkward” was released through the band's own label, Island City Records. Additionally in 2011 the band made a number of tour appearances, including festivals such as Fuse Festival in Adelaide and Pyramid Rock Festival on Phillip Island.
By the end of 2011 San Cisco signed a deal with Albert Productions, however in 2012 the band left to sign with Fat Possum Records. They released their debut full-length self-titled album in the fall of 2012. In 2013 the band was nominated for an ARIA Music Award Breakthrough Artist and Best Dance Release.
I'm a big fan of indie pop and indie pop rock, so it goes without saying that when San Cisco was coming to perform in Sydney, there was no way I was going to miss them and their indie rock antics.
Scarlett and Jordi perform together in perfect harmony, trading off vocals with each other, as well as Josh, and it truly makes their act feel like a fluid and engaging musical experience. Songs like "Awkward" especially benefit from this type of tag-team performance.
Additionally, they are humble musicians, thanking the other bands performing with them on tour and thanking the audience. This sort of behavior, especially in a band as young as San Cisco was really heartwarming to see, as it illustrates, to me at least, that they are in it for the music. Even without their thanks, you'd be able to tell this just by how in sync they are with their music and bandmates. This is especially the case in "Fred Astaire" which sounds like a poppy trip through California sun and Carribean waters.
The band truly sweeps you up into their performance with their infectious, joyous tunes that you just can't help smiling at, tapping your foot, and joining in with when prompted by the band or those beside you.