What’s My Scene: St Jacques are bringing sincerity back
In our new Q&A column What’s My Scene, InReview speaks to emerging and established local artists to get their take on the South Australian creative scene and their place within it. This week, meet Adelaide folk pop ‘family’ St Jacques.
Where was your first gig, and how did it go?
Our first show back in 2018 was at the Ed Castle in its last season before it changed hands (it’s great to see gigs returning here since the Crown & Anchor moved in). The band looked very different back then, the music was a bit sparser and looser but we remember this first show really fondly. Some of the songs were real goofy as well, choruses like ‘we shake our asses night after night’ and a song called ‘Modern Lover’, it was so silly. It’s also wild that this was also the night we first met Katie [Pomery, vocals and guitar] who joined the band a few months later.
Tell us the St Jacques origin story.
Frank and Jacob met at uni which is how the first few songs began. Then we put together a group of all-stars to perform the songs, but it took us a few months to find shape. There was a bit of turbulence as members moved around and decided to focus on their solo work. By early 2019 we had this really lovely family of myself, Frank, Katie, Jo, Hugh and Koleh (Anna floated in and out later on as well!). Over the years we’ve had over half the band move interstate or overseas at different points but we’ve kept evolving and changing the way that we perform.
What was your impression of the local scene when you first started, and how has that changed?
The scene was super creative and really supportive when we started. Having people show up to our first shows felt like we were really building something and having fun at the same time. There was a great sense of learning from each other and sharing in the process together, especially when house shows were happening really regularly. In the last few years there’s been a really great scene of young folk artists and noise-makers, writers and musicians who are leaning into chaos and messiness as part of their sound. We’re constantly blown away by what our peers are creating.
How has your own project changed since you first started?
From your early twenties until your late twenties you go through a lot of personal change. I think that’s reflected in the songs we write and our motivations for playing music together. For me personally (Jacob), early on I tried a little too hard to write songs with a sense of humour and cynicism. Now, that’s really flushed out of the band, it’s all about sincerity, making beautiful things together and relishing how special it is to play music with friends.
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What is it about your next release that you’re most excited/nervous to share with audiences?
This EP Bright Yellow Mark really feels like the top of a tall mountain for us. We’ve been playing these songs for close to three years now and recording them over the last two years. A lot has changed for us as individuals but this project has been a constant goal to work towards and a real representation of the love we have for our music. It feels ambitious to share an actual body of work but we’re excited to have a package that says, “Here’s a few different angles of us as a band, the sounds we make and stories we can tell”. It feels really exciting.
"Early on I tried a little too hard to write songs with a sense of humour and cynicism. Now it’s all about sincerity, making beautiful things together and relishing how special it is to play music with friends."
Who are the artists around you that inspire or challenge you?
We have so many incredible friends who make unreal music. When we were just starting out we made friends with Bromham and it felt like they took us under their wing to show us what community-building really looks like, that has always inspired us. Our friend Ella Ion continues to go from strength to strength and now she is receiving the attention she has always deserved for her otherworldly music.
Also, our friend Lucinda Grace, who recorded and mixed these songs at Forest Range Studios. As a musician, performer, engineer and friend she has been an integral part of our circle for the last few years and we’re so proud of what she has helped us create.
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Favourite venue?
It has to be Queen’s Theatre (and not just because that’s where the EP launch is). We had our most joyous show there last year for a single launch, dreamy times.
Dream band to open for?
Would have to be Big Thief, they’ve always been the guiding light for us.
Favourite band to have open for you?
We already have the dream lineup for the EP launch: Lucinda Grace and Gilly & Bede, we wouldn’t choose anyone else.
Where is your next gig, and how do you hope it will go?
On September 19 at Queens Theatre we will be launching the EP. It’ll be our only show in Adelaide this year so we expect it to be a really special and emotional night. We’re so excited to celebrate this achievement with friends, family and fans. The vibes will be high.
St Jacques launch their Bright Yellow Mark EP at Queen’s Theatre on Friday September 19