After graduating from Yale in 2011, Ludwig-Leone retreated to Canada's secluded Banff Centre, where he wrote what would eventually become San Fermin.

[3] Nineteen people made up San Fermin in the recording process, in addition to other musical contributors.

These included Ellis Ludwig-Leone, singer Allen Tate, saxophonist Stephen Chen, and trumpeter John Brandon who would form the core San Fermin the next decade.

Additionally, acclaimed contemporary classical musicians Caroline Shaw, Rob Moose, and Nadia Sirota took part in the recording process.

[4][5] San Fermin released their lead single "Sonsick" on December 4, 2012, premiering it on the music blog Beats Per Minute.