Saint Motel Break Down 'The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Part 1': Exclusive
Originally published on Billboard.com
Los Angeles indie rock band Saint Motel are back with a new project, The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Part 1, released on Wednesday (Oct. 16).
It's the group's first collection of songs to be released since their 2016 studio album Saintmotelevision, which peaked at no. 62 on the Billboard 200 and included the hit single "Move." A virtual reality version of the album that included 360-degree music videos for each song -- the first to ever exist -- was released the following year.
The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Part 1 is the first of a three-part album that will be unveiled by the band over the next few months. Co-produced by singer A/J Jackson and Grammy winner Mark Needham, the songs embody what Jackson, guitarist Aaron Sharp, bassist Dak Lerdamornpong, and drummer Greg Erwin have experienced in the three years since their last release.
With the first part out, Saint Motel have also announced that they will be hitting the road for a 2020 North American headline tour, which kicks off in January at The Observatory in Santa Ana, California.
Below, Jackson breaks down all five tracks on Saint Motel's The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Part 1. Scroll to the end to stream and to check out the band's tour dates.
"Old Soul"
“Old Soul” was one of the first songs written up in [a] cabin in the [San Gabriel Mountains]. To me, it feels like it sets the tone of the entire album.
"Sisters"
When my 2001 RAV 4 finally died, my new car came preinstalled with SiriusXM Satellite Radio and I couldn’t get enough of the ‘40s and ‘50s channels. You can’t really get anything like that on terrestrial radio. The Shepherd Sisters’ song that we sample here is so much fun and in honor of those sisters, and my own, I decided to base the lyrics around them.
"Van Horn"
The guitar riff in the beginning has a western tinge to it and we’d just gotten back from tour where we spent a crazy night in Van Horn, Texas. It just felt right to combine the two.
"Diane Mozart"
The pre-chorus features a mic’d up leather chair. It’s barely audible, but it gave some really cool sounds.
"Save Me"
I really like closing Part 1 with this song. “Save Me” is the call to action that will lead into the Second Act of The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.
Saint Motel Tour Dates:
January 24- Santa Ana, CA, The Observatory
January 25- San Diego, CA, The Observatory North Park
January 26- Phoenix, AZ, The Van Buren
January 28- Denver, CO, Ogden Theatre
January 30- Dallas, TX, House of Blues Dallas
January 31- Austin, TX, Emo's
February 1- Houston, TX, House of Blues Houston
February 3- Tampa, FL, The Orpheum
February 4- Orlando, FL, The Plaza Live
February 6- Atlanta, GA, Buckhead Theatre
February 7- Charlotte, NC, The Fillmore Charlotte
February 8- Raleigh, NC, The Ritz
February 10- Philadelphia, PA, Theatre of The Living Arts
February 11- Washington, DC, 9:30 Club
February 13- New York, NY, Webster Hall
February 14- Boston, MA, Royale
February 15- Clifton Park, NY, Upstate Concert Hall
February 16- McKees Rocks, PA, Roxian Theatre
February 18- Columbus, OH, Newport Music Hall
February 20- Toronto, Canada, Phoenix Concert Theatre
February 21- Detroit, MI, St. Andrew’s Hall
February 22- Indianapolis, IN, Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
February 24- St. Louis, MO, Delmar Hall
February 25- Kansas City, MO, The Truman
February 27- Chicago, IL, Vic Theatre
February 28- Milwaukee, WI, Turner Hall Ballroom
February 29- Minneapolis, MN, First Avenue
March 3- Seattle, WA, The Showbox
March 4- Portland, OR, Roseland Theater
March 6- San Francisco, CA, Regency Ballroom
March 7- Los Angeles, CA, The Fonda Theatre
March 8- Los Angeles, CA, The Fonda Theatre