So the story goes...

After more than two years of shaping their sound, San Tropez return with their sophomore release, Museum of Modern History, on Mint 400 Records — a lush 9-song journey that deepens the band’s signature blend of American dream pop and cinematic atmosphere. Following San Tropez’s 2023 Mint 400 Records debut, Maybe Tomorrow, this new effort expands their sonic palette while remaining grounded in emotional resonance. Recorded once again at Lakehouse Studios, in Asbury Park, NJ, the album features standout guest appearances by Marissa Paternoster (Screaming Females, Noun), saxophonist Zack Sandler, and vocalist Victoria Benesch (The Slow Circuit), adding new textures to the band’s evolving soundscape.

The lead single of Museum of Modern History, “Swear Off the Sunlight,” distills the essence of San Tropez’s approach — a sweeping, two-part composition that moves from shimmering melancholy into celestial drift. Building on what The Rodeo Magazine praised as their “strong balance between embracing more modern approaches like dream pop whilst continuing to honour the classics of My Bloody Valentine and Slowdive,” the track is both grounded and transcendent, pulling listeners into space with its immersive structure and hypnotic sonics.

And to the origin story…

Ralph Nicastro (Wreaths, Aviso Hara, Sparks Fly from a Kiss) started making demos for a new project in 2016; recruiting a variety of friends along the way to round out the sounds he was looking for. From this effort came several songs that were circulated to friends through Soundcloud.

Fast forward to January 20, 2018. Frank Bridges (Magic Mountain, Duochrome, kiaro skuro) posted an image of his newly acquired black Newark St. Edition Guild Starfire bass on Facebook, asking, “Who wants to start a shoegaze band?” Within a few hours a band was formed with Nicastro; long-time friend, Albie Connelly (Angular Brothers, Stuntcocks, Urchins), on additional guitars and backing vocals; and Bridges.

The new band not only drew from Nicastro’s growing songbook, but they took on his working title of the project – San Tropez.

After a few false starts with drummers, Bridges suggested long-time friend and bandmate, Andy Fountas (Magic Mountain, The Border States, Duochrome) in late 2018. The final addition was Phil Pirri (Blaa Fugl) on keyboards in late 2022. San Tropez was now solidified as a band.

Photo by Eric K. Andersen