A Quick Chat With Serge & The Currents

Serge & The Currents return with Finished From The Start, an upbeat indie pop-rock single about recognising when a one-sided relationship has run its course. Led by Melbourne guitarist and songwriter Sergio Ercole, the project pairs bright guitars and catchy melodies with bittersweet lyrics about knowing when to walk away. Drawing on more than four decades of musical experience, Ercole blends classic songwriting with modern pop influences, following the release of debut single This Too Shall Pass. We caught up with Serge & The Currents to talk about the new single, their creative process, and what's next.

Can you tell us what your new single ‘Finished From The Start’ means to you, and what you hope listeners take away from it?

The song is about the point in a “friendship" where you realise the other person is just into you. You feel like you’re given something of yourself but one day the you wake up to the fact that they’re kind of using you. In a way I’m telling the listener if that’s happening to them it’s ok to just move on!

Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and what draws you to their work?

This is such a big question because I am a classically trained guitarist but also grew up in the 70s and 80s listening to lot’s of popular music. As far as song writing is concerned the big names that pop out are Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Cat Stevens, Neil Finn, Tom Petty. There is a rich tradition of song writing in Italy that also influences my writing especially in the use of melody, and of course the music of Spain. Kind of eclectic...

What does your creative process look like, from the initial idea through to recording?

Nowadays it happens very fast. I often write a song a reaction to a life circumstance or sometimes just pondering an idea. I am moved emotionally to put pen to paper as a kind of therapy, trying to capture the words in a bottle.. in a poetic way, The poetic part is very important to me. Then usually there are some phrases in the music, hooks that sing out a melody to me. I start to hear the rhythm of the song and the melodic ideas. From there, guitar usually comes out and I sing through it and rework the words. It can take a day or two of sitting with it and digest the ideas. Then I make a demo straight away which I do on Logic and sculpt the whole arrangement to life. This is what I bring to the band and we’ll work it up to a recording or performing standard.

How has your experience performing and teaching classical and Latin guitar shaped your approach to songwriting with Serge & The Currents?

I have a certain mastery of the guitar and domain knowledge of music which gives me access to so many style so and ideas. The Latin guitar which is a huge broad field in itself also gives me access to rhythms and melodies that I can channel into my music. For example I love using the Spanish or Andalusian cadence, which you can hear in the bridge of Falling to A Crescendo.

In your opinion, what makes a great song?

Just like any music a song has to move you in some way to be great. It has to speak to your heart, or contain as certain wisdom or poignance, Sometimes a great song just captures the mood of a generation, captures the collective feeling of that time.

If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

Wow again such an epic question! I’m going to say Neil Finn, Bono, Eddie Van Halen, Roland Orzabal, Paul Mc Cartney, Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton….

Outside of music, do you have any other creative interests or outlets?

For me the creative stuff is generally music derived though it spreads across a lot of mediums, for example I have run a podcast in the past called Guitar Conversations, I run a Guitar Department so there is creative work in that, I have a YouTube Guitar Channel called Latin Guitar Mastery. Outside of music my creativity flows on the tennis court!

Are there any local artists or bands you think more people should know about?

My son Leo Ercole is an amazing up and coming talent about to release his first EP @Leoercole, and can I give my other band a plug? It’s called The Reg Cole Quartet and plays original jazz/soul/latin songs at The Paris Cat Jazz Lounge. I also love Kathleen Halloran a great local singer/songwriter and awesome guitarist!

Winter or summer, and why?

Winter becasue it’s Vivaldi’s best composition!

What's next for Serge & The Currents as we head towards the end of 2026 and into 2027?

We are releasing our EP March 2027 and launching that on March 12 at Wesley Anne and also playing at Flinders Fringe Festival in Feb 2027. I’m hoping to return to the US mid next year to record some of the more roots and country songs with some of the guys from Serge & The Currents. At the moment we are still building our audience but look out for us at local festivals in 2027!

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