Small Culture

Polyrhythmic and vocally layered – It is a difficult to write and record a melodically pleasing song that incorporates both features through most of the song. “Synthetica” by Small Culture is melodically pleasing. At times, it sounds as if the different vocalists are completely unaware of the existence of each other; yet, the composite vocalization is somehow cooperative.
Indie Obsessive has confessed its strong appreciation for vocal layering. But only when done well. Vocally layering is like watching network news. The network news channels will introduce a number of people with conflicting views, and then allow them to talk over each other. In most situations, the urge is to reach for the remote. However, sometimes it just works. In music, it isn’t just luck that vocal layering works. Too often, the urge is to reach for the “next” button. That’s not the case with “Synthetica.”

Small Culture is based in San Diego, California. The Facebook page of Small Culture identifies only Jerik Centeno. The page states:
“Small Culture is a kaleidoscope of sounds. The name represents coming from a small island with lots of culture.”
The selection of the term “kaleidoscope” is appropriate. When listening to "Synthetica," if one element is “turned” relative to other elements, the perception changes significantly, but the song remains pleasing. - Daughter and Dad

If you’re looking for new music, it doesn’t come much fresher than Small Culture’s ‘Synthetica’ – their facebook page only dates back to October last year!

The brainchild of Jerik Centeno, Small Culture hail from San Diego and make self-pronounced Kaleidoscope pop rock. The first single brings in vocals from The Verigolds’ Jenna Cotton and Jose Escoto, who also co-recorded the song. - Camden Xperience

If it's new bands that you're after then they don't come much fresher than San Diego's Small Culture. The earliest posts on their Facebook page are from the end of October and there's only one track posted online - their first single 'Synthetica'. From what we can tell, Small Culture is essentially the solo project of Jerik Centeno and has all the hallmarks of (very good) bedroom producer sounds like those that have become commonplace in the past decade. For this first track, he's joined by Jenna Cotton of the band The Verigolds who lends some nice vocals, as well as Jose Escoto who co-recorded the song.

The idea is to create a "kaleidoscope of sounds", and in that respect it's mission accomplished. 'Synthetica' is an alternative pop song, and one that takes in indie music, folktronica, electronica, chillwave, dreampop and psychedelia. So quite a mish-mash then, but it all comes together without feeling overcrowded or over experimental. Perhaps a decent comparison can be found in certain tracks by The Postal Service who also combined a similar selection of genres, but you wouldn't get the two mixed up. As first offerings go, this is a superb way to start. Let's hope for more of the same. - The Sound Of Confusion

Getting to know new acts for us is truly important since we are such music freaks. San Diego based band Small Culture have only one song but they already won our hearts thanks to their debut track “Synthetica”, a dreamy pop-kaleidoscope rock gem, as they like to define it themselves. Being inspired by bands such as The Postal Service, Sylvan Esso and Sigur Rós, Small Culture are bringing their own touch of perfect rock sounds that will make you travel your way into shoegazing. We have the pleasure to premiere the video for their second track called “Touslee”, named after choreographer Sarah Touslee and her dance rendition of Sylvan Esso‘s track “Come Down.”


“Touslee” is another great gem that clearly reminds Sigur Rós‘ first albums as it seems that time stops suddenly when you start to listen to the track, taking you away from earth, creating a floating atmosphere around you. It is easy to read some sadness and anger behind the track, but always keeping the strong hopeful vibe. The video contains, as for Sarah Touslee‘s rendition, a choreography that truly marries the spirit of song, elevating the track even higher.

Small Culture told us over email that “With the help of my friend and director, Cameron Wilson, “Touslee” was my way of getting myself out of this big heap of artistic angst I was having at the time and still go through from time to time.” and also how artist St. Vincent helped them thanks to some inspiring words, to get out of that anger :

All you can do ever is to make the things that you like and believe in, and put it out in the world so people can react to it, and then it can weave into the fabric of their lives if it matters.

Small Culture are planning to release on the next few months their debut EP as the release of a remix of Lorde so can’t wait! For now, you can check their debut track “Synthetica” below and also you can share some love over Facebook and Soundcloud. - HighClouds

I hate when people submit one song. Shit, dude. Really? But this one, from the solo project of one Jerik Centeno, is worth checking out. Like something born of a steamy, chemically-enhanced ménage à trois between The Postal Service, Death Cab for Cutie and múm, it also features vocals from Jenna Cotton of The Verigolds. I'm in. Now, let's hear some more. - San Diego City Beat

Last month, we had the chance to premiere San Diego-based project Small Culture and the video for the Sigur Ros-inspired “Touslee”. Now, as promised, the band is getting ready to release his self-titled debut EP on June 2, on iTunes. But guess what, you can stream their 5-track EP in exclusivity on HighClouds! If you are fans of The Postal Service, Sylvan Esso or Radiohead, you should definitely check on them!


This project is more than simple music. As Jerik Centeno explained us, it is also about heart and courage.

“It is the hardest thing that I have ever worked for in my life, but with the guidance of my favorite teachers/mentors, Chris Hobson and David Cole, and the lyrics of one of my all time favorite bands, Little Hurricane: “If you want something you gotta work for it, work your hands down to the bones.”
“Small Culture EP” was made in collaboration with close friends but also with members of Teen Men, a band that seems to be very important for the artist. The song “Too Late” features Catharine Maloney and Nick Krill, the one who lead The Spinto Band, a “legendary indie band who changed my life when I was in middle school”, as Centeno confessed. No less!

The EP features the previously released “Synthetica” and 4 other tracks that clearly demonstrate the versatility and the creativity of Jerik Centeno, the leader that hides behind Small Culture. You won’t find “Touslee”, which was a project on the side, but you can still watch the video there. - HighClouds

1. Tell me about your current rig: How do the individual parts help you achieve the sound you’re after? Best parts? Worst parts?

Guitars: My two current favorites are my Teisco Del Rey EP7 and the Silvertone (don’t know what model). The Teisco just sounds so good right off the bat with its clean bite but can be so jazzy when you roll the tone back. It’s also the Teisco version of Tone’s Silvertone guitars from Little Hurricane. My red house-painted Silvertone is the most magical guitar I have. It is my go-to when others are uninspiring and it is the most perfect feeling guitar in my hands and against my body. These two are the lightest guitars in the world. I’ve owned the Strat and Tele since high school. The Strat is a great one when going for “arcade-y” tones because of the neck and middle pickup position. The Tele is the first guitar I ever owned that my Dad bought me from the Philippines. It’s Chinese, but I swapped the stock pickups for Texas Specials, which are super hot. The Tele is a great tracking guitar due to the versatility and an easy one to go to for a modern sound. The Farida JT602DCC is solely owned because it is the signature guitar of Two Door Cinema Club’s lead guitarist, Sam Halliday, who is the utmost reason as to why I ever started playing guitar. To the eye, the upside down headstock is so unique, but what’s more unique is the onboard delay Farida built in because of how important delay is to Sam Halliday’s tone. It is also the only guitar I have with a P90. My guitars help to primarily put me into different mindsets. If I want weird tones, I’ll get the Strat; if I want driving guitar parts, I’ll pick up the Tele; if I want to make up lead parts really fast, I’ll grab the Farida; if I want unique guitar parts or weird chords, I’ll grab the Teisco or the Silvertone.

Cons about the Strat, Tele, and the JT602DCC are that they are freaking heavy now that I’ve been playing the Teisco and the Silvertone.

Pedals: The reason why I own two super shifters is because I tried to resell one, but that never worked, so I just put both to use. One is used as a harmonist/chorus to get arcade-y, Rutger Rosenborg-y, Bombay Bicycle Club-y tones (heard on “Too Late”) and the other is to just frick things up (T-Arm setting referenced from St. Vincent). Bobby Bray, the guitarist of The Locust and coincidentally, my electronics and media business teacher, helped me make a Carbon Copy mod that is an expression pedal idea stemmed from the PS5 so that when turned on, controls the delay parameter to make more noise and to frick things up even more! My pedalboard is designed for clean bite, fun, ambience, swells, and madness!

Cons: Pedalboard tap dancing while having to sing, which actually gives me madness.

Guitar Amps: Gibson G20, Fender Vibro Champ - Gear and Loathing in San Diego

Jerik Centeno of Small Culture moved to San Diego three years ago to pursue a career in audio production.

“All through high school [in Kaua’i] all I wanted to do was record and mix bands. As soon as I graduated I came here to attend the Art Institute.”

While that two-year course helped him record his five-song, self-titled EP and collaborate with the Verigolds, Ed Ghost Tucker, and the Chili Banditos, he says he’s learned how tough the recording business is.

“My instructor [at the Art Institute] told me it’s either feast or famine. Right now I’m in the famine spot.”

Centeno, 21, is not giving up. But to remain solvent like many musicians, he does the computer-app taxi thing.

Centeno’s outgoing nature is key to Small Culture, which is basically him, his musical vision, and a network of friends who join him when it’s show time or time to record a track.

Cameron Wilson (Ed Ghost Tucker/Lulls), Jenna Cotton (Verigolds), and Max Idas (Chili Banditos) have all contributed to Small Culture’s modular band concept onstage or in the studio.

“The name Small Culture came from the fact I’m from a small island with a lot of different cultures. It also comes from the ten-foot by ten-foot room attached to Max’s old house in Lemon Grove where we used to have shows. All you need is a small group of friends to make your day.”

Centeno writes, arranges, sings, and plays guitar and keyboards for Small Culture material, which spans ambient, folk, and electronica, drawing comparisons to Postal Service, Sigur Rós, and Sylvan Esso.

“A lot of times with bands you hear how frustrating it is to try and schedule shows and practices to work around everyone’s schedule. With Small Culture I can have people I love to work with sit in with me. And creatively, I don’t have to butt heads with anybody who may think the guitar is too loud here or the bass is too low there. With Small Culture I’m in control of all of that.”

Small Culture appears Saturday at Soma with King Bloom, the Chili Banditos, Pueblo, Bad Kids, and Stick Bitz. - San Diego Reader