Self Against City

Self Against City formed in Sacramento, California in early 2004. The roots of the band first gained traction when local act Amden&#39;s Lyricist/Vocalist Jonathan Michael (<a href="spotify:artist:6klgYPSr1ZyWfRrvgmJ8gj" data-name="Dear Left Brain,">Dear Left Brain,</a>) and Bassist Patrick O&#39;Connor (<a href="spotify:artist:2fQbWEB206vHkN482O38kA" data-name="Miss Lonely Hearts">Miss Lonely Hearts</a>) jammed with Age of Assassin&#39;s drummer Chris Trombley. It was wintertime in Wheatland, California when the initial beats, progressions, lyrics, and melodies for SAC&#39;s first song <a href="spotify:track:0ZZLcXeEOGvejzHG4o1IOR" data-name="The Process Tonight">The Process Tonight</a> were written. At first, the trio worked with <a href="spotify:artist:78eqps3BavCqe2q7GCU1VK" data-name="Tyler Rich">Tyler Rich</a> on guitar, but ultimately enrolled the chemistry of Jeff LaTour and Jack Matranga. In Spring of 2004, SAC wrote the songs and arrangements that would become the <a href="spotify:album:3OwouECudTfhX3QdUh6fd2" data-name="Take It How You Want It (EP)">Take It How You Want It (EP)</a>. With a few demo tracks written, the band was eager play shows, so the SAC pack immediately booked a few local gigs with the aid of their first single, <a href="spotify:track:6cksMN6fGdkpfiDZdC0Jw8" data-name="Let You Go">Let You Go</a>, produced by <a href="spotify:artist:2M7JkcbtuTMqyXlprvWXG7" data-name="Danny Cocke">Danny Cocke</a>. The gang pooled their Yuba Sutter Fair &#39;Battle of the Bands&#39; winnings along with a $600 loan from music managers Eric Rushing and Greg Patterson, and went into Fat Cat Studios to track the EP. After posting 2 songs on Myspace, <a href="spotify:playlist:2nDDpLuK8eZPQwMWAfxEuy" data-name="Drive Thru Records">Drive Thru Records</a> co-owner Richard Reines emailed the band about a showcase in Los Angeles. Six weeks later, in November 2004, SAC signed a 4 album deal, then hit the stages with artists including <a href="spotify:artist:6GH0NzpthMGxu1mcfAkOde" data-name="Hellogoodbye">Hellogoodbye</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:74XFHRwlV6OrjEM0A2NCMF" data-name="Paramore">Paramore</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:0vWCyXMrrvMlCcepuOJaGI" data-name="BOYS LIKE GIRLS">BOYS LIKE GIRLS</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:71h7GTahhKcSkQ1ayhTvOD" data-name="Something Corporate">Something Corporate</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:6wQMF27xWhSyJFnO9L5mQk" data-name="Cartel">Cartel</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:17Ht3puBDQIHTXvQTYYI3b" data-name="Mae">Mae</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:4OvbYqRAitf0xCWRSkfF9o" data-name="Lovedrug">Lovedrug</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:4kI8Ie27vjvonwaB2ePh8T" data-name="Portugal. The Man">Portugal. The Man</a>, and many more as a touring act (2004-2008), while also amassing millions of plays worldwide.