Interview by Amy Morgan
Every year, thousands of people from all around the world pack up their belongings and head to London. Some seek a suburban life, while others dream of fame, fortune and the streets paved in gold. And then there are those who have no expectations. The Semi-finalists, consisting of Chris Steele-Nicholson, Ferry Gouw and Adrianna Alba, came to London and collectively bonded at film school. Out of a struggle to compose an original score for one of their assignments, the trio emerged as a band. Since then, the Semi-finalists have sailed confidently through the hurdles of cynical London to become one of the most unique and inspiring new bands of 2006.
Combining wistful, beautiful vocals with crashing guitars, The Semi-finalists quickly attracted a dedicated fan base, not to mention the attention of the music industry, to their heavy ’80s-inspired pop. Soon thereafter, the band set up their own imprint (Regal Bear) via V2 Records and set sail for San Francisco to make their first album, which is due for release later this year.
Idealistic and passionate, the Semi-finalists provide an essential counter point to the vacuous posturing of post-Libertines London. Get ready to fall in love and dance like never before.
You write pop songs but there’s always a slight sadness to them–they make me dance and hurt at the same time. Where do you think that comes from?
Adriana: All three of us are very emotional people, but we manifest it in different ways. I think a huge part of our aesthetic comes from being empathic, and sincere, and having a hardcore awareness of what it means to feel things.
Chris: [Or] perhaps what you have here is a case of three fairly cynical people starting a band, but at the same time these three fairly cynical people really like Cyndi Lauper.
This has been a big year for you. You survived the A&R scum, got signed, made an album, supported some great bands, and released your first single. Has it been a struggle?
Adriana: I think it’s been intense for us because we have been literally involved in every aspect of making these things happen – from having Chris produce the album, to Ferry designing every aspect of the band product, to me working on our first video and overseeing the business affairs…it’s been a full-time job. With some overtime. But in the end, I feel it keeps the integrity of what we’re doing intact and allows us to be responsible for what we put out there.
What have been the best and worst moments so far?
Adriana: The best moments for me have been creating the pieces for the album. It was just really exciting to see the world we were creating with this music. And supporting the Mystery Jets and Architecture in Helsinki was just a real pleasure. They just give you so much energy and excitement for playing the best that you can. It’s a real special vibe that these bands maintain.
The worst moments have been when we’ve felt overwhelmed at all the work involved with the behind-the-scenes of the industry. There was a real learning curve we had to speed through this year in terms of this music industry world. Of course that provided lots of bumps along the way. Also, I think it was difficult to come into contact with people that didn’t understand us or want to, and feeling that fierce aggression towards us.
Ferry: It’s always effin’ awesome for me.
What other new bands do you feel drawn to? Why?
Chris: We toured with the Mystery Jets and a bit with Architecture in Helsinki and I can say with the force of empirical evidence that they are all amazing people, every last one of ‘em.
Adriana: I’m drawn to bands that give space to music, if that makes any sense.
Ferry: I don’t know too many new bands. I know friends’ bands and they’re awesome.
If the Semi-Finalists had a mission statement, what would it be?
Adriana: To help the world find a comfort and strength in sincerity.
Chris: Striving to be ping ping-pong champions of the world!
Ferry: To the max.
