A pastiche of post-rock, chamber-pop and contemporary classical composition, the self-titled debut album is strongly influenced by Ludwig-Leone's background in classical music, which includes a job assisting composer/arranger Nico Muhly.
After finishing his musical studies at Yale, Ludwig-Leone wrote the album in six weeks while holed up in a studio on the mountainous border between Alberta and British Columbia. He focused on lifeʼs top-shelf issues – youth, nostalgia, anxiety, unrequited love – and tied these vast themes to different characters through vocal contributions from longtime friend Allen Tate, as well as Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig of Lucius.
The first track released from the album, Sonsick, tackles many of these larger themes head-on. ”It’s like a panic attack disguised as a birthday party,” Ludwig-Leone says. ”I realized that the most intense moments are the ones in which conflicting emotional worlds exist inside you, equally, at once.”
San Fermin is not an album of singles but rather a sweeping, full-bodied listen with multiple distinct peaks and ambitious thematic connections. Ludwig-Leone composed all of the album’s arrangements and lyrics in full prior to collaborating and recording, noting that “writing for a large group of unknown musicians infused the writing process with a kind of operatic scope.
Since then, the band has coalesced into a core of eight members in addition to Ludwig-Leone: Allen Tate and Rae Cassidy, lead vocals; Eliza Bagg and Rebekah Durham, vocals/violin; John Brandon, trumpet; Stephen Chen, saxophone; Tyler McDiarmid, guitar; and Mike Hanf, drums.
Torero
San Fermin Lyrics
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I'm falling for your pain
I fight for your attention
Each night until you're sane
I used to be a lover
Took all my meals to bed
I used to have a mother
But I'm young, young, young
Yeah, I'm young, young, young
I used to go to movies
In cars with all my friends
They'd always pick me up
And dropped me at the ends
I've died for your affection
Condemned for all your sins
I haven't got religion
But I'm young, young, young
Yeah, I'm young, young, young
And under the bright lights
I hear them call my name again
I'm going over
Take me to San Fermin
(I can't fall asleep in your arms
No I can't fall asleep in your arms)
I used to write revisions
Got wasted when I cried
I played the church piano
When my father's sister died
I used to be a lover
Took all my meals to bed
I used to have a mother
But I'm young, young, young
But under the bright lights
I hear them call my name again
I'm going over
‘Cause under the bright lights
Under the bright lights
‘Cause under the bright lights
I hear them call my name
(Can't fall asleep in your arms)
Please take me to San Fermin
(No I can't fall asleep in your arms)
The song "Torero" by San Fermin is a melancholic ballad about a troubled person who is putting on a show for others while struggling with their own inner pain. The singer dances and fights for attention, all the while falling for the pain of others. The chorus repeats the phrase "I'm young, young, young," echoing the idea that the singer is still figuring things out and trying to find their place in the world. The lyrics also reveal some of the singer's past: they used to be a lover, spent time with friends, had a mother, wrote revisions, and played piano.
The verses are filled with contradictory images, as the singer dies for someone's affection and is condemned for their sins. The idea of religion also comes up, with the singer saying they haven't got it. The repeated "under the bright lights" phrase suggests that the singer is performing for an audience, and the bridge includes a reference to San Fermin, which is a festival in Spain known for its bull runs and bullfighting. It's possible that the singer is comparing their own inner turmoil to the spectacle of a bullfight, where a performer puts on a show of bravado while facing danger and potential tragedy. Overall, "Torero" is a poignant exploration of a person struggling to find their place in a world that may not have all the answers.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm dancing for your pleasure
I am performing specifically to entertain and delight you.
I'm falling for your pain
I am experiencing pain and heartbreak, vicariously through you.
I fight for your attention
I compete for your notice and focus.
Each night until you're sane
Every night, I work to help restore your peace of mind.
I used to be a lover
In the past, I was a passionate romantic partner.
Took all my meals to bed
I used to be consumed by love, to the point where I ate my meals in bed.
I used to have a mother
I had a mother in the past; now she is gone from my life.
But I'm young, young, young
Despite my experiences, I am still youthful and full of life.
I used to go to movies
Previously, I regularly attended films.
In cars with all my friends
I would ride to the movies with my group of companions.
They'd always pick me up
My friends would consistently come to get me so we could go together.
And dropped me at the ends
They would also drive me home after our outings.
I've died for your affection
I have been so devoted to gaining your love that it was like risking my life for it.
Condemned for all your sins
In seeking your love, I have taken on blame for any wrongdoings.
I haven't got religion
I do not currently practice any particular faith.
And under the bright lights
In the presence of the glittering spotlight,
I hear them call my name again
Once more, I receive appreciation and admiration for my efforts.
I'm going over
I am approaching success and recognition.
Take me to San Fermin
Bring me to the legendary festival of San Fermín, where I can achieve true glory.
(I can't fall asleep in your arms
(I cannot find peace or security in our relationship,
No I can't fall asleep in your arms)
Especially not when I am so focused on chasing my dreams and ambitions.)
I used to write revisions
Previously, I meticulously edited and perfected my written work.
Got wasted when I cried
When emotional turmoil struck, I would dull the pain with alcohol.
I played the church piano
I used to perform religious music on the piano at church.
When my father's sister died
This happened when my father's sister passed away.
‘Cause under the bright lights
Because of this acclaimed spotlight,
I hear them call my name again
I am once again gaining recognition and being celebrated.
Please take me to San Fermin
Please let me experience the peak of fame and glory at San Fermín.
Contributed by Olivia R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.