Thee Sacred Souls are still writing their own story

As I delve into the profound words of Thee Sacred Souls and their captivating album “Got a Story to Tell,” I find myself deeply moved by the raw emotion and introspection that permeates each track. The band’s ability to weave tales of love, loss, self-discovery, and societal commentary is nothing short of extraordinary.

As a movie critic, I find myself in awe as I reflect on Thee Sacred Souls’ extraordinary journey. With close to 200 electrifying shows under their belt, gracing NPR’s Tiny Desk, and earning a nod from Beyoncé in the latest GQ issue, it’s hard for these San Diego-based sweet soul musicians not to feel slightly stunned by their own success.

A day before embarking on a month-long European tour, bassist Sal Samano expresses his surprise at finding himself performing on stage in front of thousands. It’s an unusual sensation for him, realizing that strangers are watching him, people he doesn’t recognize. He’s thankful for his current situation but can hardly believe how far he’s come, from small house shows and playing in alleyways.

One of the top acts in contemporary soul revival music, Thee Sacred Souls count fans among older enthusiasts of 1960s-style sweet soul as well as Gen Z listeners who vibe with the group’s grooving messages of romanticism, introspection and empowerment. A testament to its pull, the act performed between legends Barbara Mason and Smokey Robinson at the deeply stacked Fool in Love Festival in Inglewood in August; the crowd for their Thee Souls’ was impossibly thick.

The secret to its success might be the group’s reverence for the slow- to mid-tempo soul songs from the ’60s and 1970s that have been beloved by generations — especially in Southern California. Much like Thee Sinseers and labelmates Jalen Ngonda, Thee Sacred Souls’ music is referential without being copycat; modern classics made so because of their heartfelt familiarity.

Unexpectedly, the rise of the Sacred Souls was far from anticipated. Prior to the pandemic, the three-piece band consisting of Samano, guitarist Alex Garcia, and vocalist Josh Lane recorded brief demos at their home studio. Through a chain of contacts, these demos found their way to Gabe Roth, a co-founder of Daptone Records who resides in Riverside. Impressed by the group’s potential, Roth invited them to record, and in March 2022, he launched Penrose Records by releasing their single “Can I Call You Rose?”. The song gained popularity during the pandemic lockdowns and now boasts over 87 million streams on Spotify.

After several years post-COVID, Lane notes that attending a concert and belting out lyrics you’ve sung in your own room feels uniquely special. Samano chimes in, “People are more receptive to novel sounds that might not have been trendy before. Nowadays, it seems like people are stepping back; they’re unearthing music from various genres and origins, competing to discover the most obscure pieces.

Four years have flown by since our debut, and our band, The Souls, has grown, now boasting two backup vocalists and a horn section. Our second album, “Got a Story to Tell,” set for release on October 4 via Daptone/Penrose, carries the burden of maturity and the introspection that comes with fame. While it retains a strong resemblance to our first self-titled release, “Got a Story to Tell” is a matured sound, echoing elements of Jamaican rocksteady and girl group harmonies. As a movie lover might say, we’ve grown up on stage, and this album reflects that journey.

The members of the group developed their upcoming album sporadically while they were traveling, frequently brainstorming arrangements backstage during shows or in their leisure time. Lane, who is the oldest and most charismatic member of the core group, found it particularly difficult to write within the context of a tour, as he adapted to a familiar yet slightly disjointed routine.

He mentions that for him, the challenge was drawing genuine creativity from deep within while simultaneously feeling drained since he’s been performing for months on end without a break. He explains that there isn’t really an opportunity to recharge and come up with fresh tales. His question is, ‘How can I narrate stories when I haven’t lived them myself?’

As the main composer, Lane frequently draws inspiration from fantastical ideas or the diverse life events of his bandmates to craft what he referred to as a “Frankenstein-like tapestry of love narratives.

The result is a body of universal, resonant songs in a classic R&B tone that would be at home among records by Marvin Gaye and the Persuaders.

However, with the arrival of their second album, the band only had a short span of weeks to prepare themselves for the recording session.

Lane prefers writing without feeling rushed, and values nurturing the creativity within herself. This involves prioritizing self-care first, which then fuels her ability to write. Sometimes, strong emotions like those triggered by heartbreak or trauma can ignite a passion for writing regardless of the circumstances. Despite having faith in her inner world, she doesn’t always trust that it will flow at her desired pace.

It seems that Lane and his bandmates indeed had a tale waiting to be shared. As he looks back, he says, “Fortunately, much like toothpaste being squeezed from its tube, I believe all that was left during that touring season found its way out.” He further adds, “It served as a reminder that the creativity we share within our collective universe still has some energy and life left in it.

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In their first album titled “Thee Sacred Souls,” they explored themes of love, sometimes going overboard with sweetness. On the other hand, their subsequent work, “Got a Story to Tell,” frequently delves into introspective and thoughtful ideas.

Originally penned as an instrumental piece by Garcia on Christmas morn, following his departure from the recording studio, the track “Lucid Girl” was subsequently reimagined with lyrics by Lane. This transformation came about several months later, when Lane conceived a narrative about a woman who understands societal expectations yet remains unfazed by them.

Lane remarks, “I believe it was a guiding force or higher power that led Alex to choose this song’s title, and I interpreted it in my own way. It’s fascinating to put into words the ideals we strive to embody in our lives.

In “What’s on My Mind,” Lane’s velvety voice is adorned with strings and hand percussion, creating a song that reflects on how having both good and bad emotions contribute to one’s completeness. On the other hand, “One and the Same” sees Lane joining forces with backup vocalists to transform what initially seems like a romantic entreaty into a cry for unity in politics.

Since our tours began, Lane has been deeply contemplating the harsh realities of humanity. He believes it’s crucial to remember certain facts: Prioritize your own well-being first, as this fills your cup and enables you to uplift others within our community more effectively.

Despite “Got a Story to Tell” focusing on self-love and acceptance, Thee Sacred Souls continue to compose numerous love songs, many times portraying the character who inflicts pain in a troubled relationship. On “In the Mirror”, Lane sings about recognizing his role as the destructive force in a broken relationship. In the doo-wop-inspired “Somebody Knew”, he reprimands himself for the reckless decisions that led to lost love. Lane notes, “Romantic love is an intriguing and hazardous pursuit. It’s simple to envision how it can disintegrate.

Regardless of the sometimes serious topics they tackle on their albums, Thee Sacred Souls are lively and captivating performers. Often, Lane becomes enmeshed among the crowd, forging a bond with hordes of twentysomethings who know all the words by heart and sing them passionately.

Lane believes that stepping off the stage creates a connection between the audience and him as a fellow human, not just a singer. He thinks this makes it seem more like a conversation, and when people feel seen, they can relate better. According to Lane, those who create music should be viewed as equals.

The Holy Souls Band is currently embarked on a tour that spans both the Atlantic and the United States, lasting until March. They eagerly anticipate performances in London and Berlin, as well as the opportunity to discover new cities during this journey. However, band members also view this tour as an additional opportunity for self-discovery and crafting their unique narrative while traveling.

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2024-10-02 13:32