Boys' Club: Garcon Garcon

SYDNEY: Up-and-coming Sydney-based electro-pop duo Garcon Garcon are set to launch their debut EP at Hod Rod this weekend.

Local indie duo Garcon Garcon – aka Nathan Mahon and Nick Tsirimokos – have been generating a steady groundswell of support on the world stage since they started dropping their sweet bedroom-pop demos in 2010. A nostalgic fusion of modern electro and 80s teen spirit, they released their debut single ‘Stay in Touch’ last year, and are set to launch their EP at cult Oxford Hotel party Hot Rod on Saturday night.

“We are both kids of the 80s, so I think that plays a big part in the nostalgic sound we have,” Mahon tells SX. “Riding our BMX bikes, playing Nintendo, watching 80s teen films – all that really comes through.”

“The challenge of the EP was working out how to create fresh, modern music with a more basic, old-school sound world,” Tsirimokos adds.

While Mahon’s background is in rock and roll, Tsirimokos is classically trained. “Our musical influences are quite different, but when we write together we meet in the middle and something just happens,” Mahon says.

According to Tsirimokos, the EP harks back to his take-no-prisoners 20s. “For me, that was moving to Sydney and trying to work out what I wanted out of life. So the EP has a kind of bittersweet feel. There was no middle ground – you are either utterly in love, totally wasted at a party, or just plain miserable.

“We like the extremes – the in-betweens are kind of boring.”

“I think the key thing is that all the themes and lyrics of the songs are really honest and genuine,” Mahon continues. “I think each track is a very true reflection of a moment in time.”

At Hod Rod on Saturday night, Garcon Garcon will launch the EP with a dynamic live set. The transgressive retro-trash party is the perfect platform. “Hot Rod has really grown and changed since I started it in 2009,” Mahon tells. “But I think the things that remain the same are the collective of amazing DJs, the incredible guest performers like Dallas Dellaforce and Tristan Hamilton – who have done some of the most incredible shows I have ever seen – as well as the talented photographers like Elvis Di Fazio, Byron Spencer and Lucas Austin.

“Each party is different but the feeling is the same: a group of amazing people open to something different, and all just there to have a great time.”

[Pictured] Photo: Elvis Di Fazio

Garcon Garcon EP launch at Hot Rod, Oxford Hotel on Saturday, February 11 from 10pm. Free entry.