Glasgow six-piece, San Jose release the beguiling new single 'Dirty Linen'.
A band that’s become synonymous with Scotland’s live post-punk scene, San Jose has quickly risen as a must-see act, combining energetic, theatrical shows with a “mini-orchestral” flair that has seen them sell out revered venues like King Tuts, often blurring the line between music and art performance.
San Jose's ethos is simple but bold: every performance should outdo the last, dissolving the boundaries between the stage and the crowd. This boundary-pushing ambition fuels 'Dirty Linen', a raw, potent track that captures the group’s knack for grandiosity and punk chaos. Produced by Christopher McCrory (Walt Disco, Catholic Action), the single blends folk-inspired instrumentation with fierce post-punk energy, creating an expansive soundscape where distorted guitars meet swelling violin, brass, and a driving rhythm section. Listeners might hear echoes of Black Country, New Road in San Jose's chaotic intensity, as they balance aggressive punk with theatrical, almost cinematic moments and folk undertones.
'Dirty Linen' builds on a narrative of societal decay, prejudice, and cultural hybridity. Speaking on the track, San Jose explains that the song’s inception came from a sobering encounter with a bigot, a conversation that sparked the realization that no one is “pure”—we are all “a rehash of a rehash.” The lyrics weave through this complex meditation, confronting the twisted notion of purity, and celebrating the vibrancy of multiculturalism as the band invites listeners to embrace life’s colourful imperfections.
Musically, San Jose aimed to channel the feel of a musical into 'Dirty Linen', producing an unsettling, circus-like aura that marries dark satire with a bold and vivacious sound. This fusion of unease and jubilation captures their unique style, one that challenges conventional post-punk formulas while staying deeply rooted in intricate social commentary and musical craftsmanship.
Listen below:
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