People Of Santiago

For the five young men in Newcastle’s People of Santiago, existing on the fringe is more than musical happenstance. It’s become the heart of their testimony.
Steadfast and resolute, they embrace the trappings of English culture only to upend them with sharp turns of phrase, while their supercharged blend of dark, triumphant rock and roll speaks to a walk of life each member is all too familiar with: the untamable masses that march through the day painfully aware of their stolid surroundings, yet consumed by the hope that one day everything will change for the best. People of Santiago aren’t content to merely comment on these tribulations. They want to move you toward a solution.

“Lyrically and thematically, it all comes down to the frustration of being tied down to regular jobs and being regular people,” Young continues. “It’s obviously not your dream to be working in a building society or as a postman. We want more than that.”

Young and his band mates—Steven Clark (guitar), Alan Alderson (bass), Matt Hall (guitar), and Phil Taylor (drums)—have spent the last two years tirelessly determined to expand the reach of their sound, and their DIY efforts have paid off. Tracks from their sold out, four-song EP have garnered a loyal following at Radio 1, and have been spun as far out as Spain, Italy and Lithuania. In 2006, they received the most votes in an XFM Unsigned contest that resulted in a spot on the illustrious O2 Festival.

“We set about doing everything off our own backs, from touring to recording our first E.P. Why wait around for other people?” informs Young. “We were offered some good gigs and radio sessions this way, from people who were fans of the band.”

Their self-titled EP, produced by legendary indie figure KRAMER (Galaxie 500, LOW, Dot Allison), helped lay the groundwork for their bold pop sound, but the total spectrum of their capabilities as a band are fully realized on their new recordings. Comparisons to rich, textured bands like Ride, My Bloody Valentine, and Muse are not without merit, but Young’s brash, moving vocals hint at the subversive undercurrent that flows from track to track. With their wall-of-sound guitars and subtle blend of analog synthesis, People of Santiago wage a pounding, auditory coup d’état that relies on astute lyricism and impassioned, sonically diverse song structures.

“Photograph For A Lost Soul” paints the picture of a choreographed, blue-collar procession of Orwellian proportions, as blistering Fender riffs ring out over a low end march of bass guitar and kick drum. Young delivers his verse like a megaphone-wielding union boss: “Hold on to your faith, the time will come when the walls will break.” It’s a call to arms for certain, but far from a staunch political stance. People of Santiago are many things, but sensationalist news reporters they are not.

“It’s not a political agenda. I think political music can become really boring and cliché. We are dark, I guess. [More like] the Bill Hicks of pop music, only less intelligent.” he laughs.

Themes of patience and restlessness are explored again on the synth-laced “Time Means Everything.” “Oh misery, just turn your back and leave/Oh history, tell me what becomes of me,” he sings, as images of red socialist stars and high fences laced with barbed wire fade in and out of focus. But the poignancy here isn’t in Young’s ability to dissect the darkness. It’s in his power to illuminate the complexities with a positive light, which he does brilliantly on the uplifting “Light Floods The Room.” “We can plagiarize our lives away for the rest of our days, so let’s drink together,” he sings triumphantly of a driving progression of drums and power chords.

“This is the next chapter for us,” says Young of their new recordings. Produced by Rob Kirwan (U2, Fields), he describes them as “pop songs with a skewed, mischievous twist.” “We’ve always thought that all it takes is for someone to take a chance on us. We know we’re good enough, and it’s just a matter of time before people sit up and take notice.”

He pauses for a moment before tossing out a closing analogy that reveals his more romantic leanings.

“We don’t believe in love at first sight anyway. It takes time for people to fall in love.”