The highly anticipated follow-up to their breakout 2022 self-titled debut, Thee Sacred Soul’s Got A Story To Tell (Daptone Records) features 12 all original new songs, a soaring statement of exquisite craftsmanship from this young band from San Diego whose own story grows bigger by the day. Millions of monthly listeners on Spotify. Celebrity fans like SZA, Alicia Keys, and Kylie Jenner. An NPR Tiny Desk performance that burned the house down. And all in the first two years of the band’s existence. Then came life on the road.
Since 2022, Thee Sacred Souls have toured North America and Europe, playing their sweet soul music at dozens and dozens of sold-out headlining shows, and in the process they went from young musicians to a tight-knit, stress-tested band who knew each other like family. All the great bands were made better by life on the road, and Thee Sacred Souls is ready to join that pantheon. Got A Story To Tell is in every way a tighter and emotionally richer record because of their journey.
The challenges of touring resulted in a darker, more mature record, Alejandro Garcia (drums, guitar) says. Salvador Samano (bass, drums) agrees: “As we got busier, we were all dealing with things back home, trying to balance life and music and touring.” Heartbreak, family issues, finding ways to be creative when you’re leaving it all on the stage every night. Every member had their own experience, and no new development went undetected by their bandmates. “You can’t hide how you’re feeling,” Garcia says, of the intimacy of touring. “We know what’s going with each other.”
Any conversation with the band will inevitably turn into a music celebration; the sharing of classic tunes, as they point out specific records that proved important during recording. Mann, their producer, is something of an encyclopedia, and what knowledge he bequeathed to them they’re all too happy to share. The little-known Philadelphia guy group the Fabulous Performers. The sweeping vocals of the Delfonics. The unreal falsetto of Alton Ellis. The beguiling arrangements from Jesse Boone and the Astros. In part, Thee Sacred Souls are able to make timeless music because they have a deep appreciation for history.
Got A Story To Tell proves that Thee Sacred Souls are here to stay; a vital force in contemporary music. Though it’s not a concept album, it creates a satisfying emotional arc for the listener, taking them through life’s ups and downs—but finding a happy ending when it counts. The final track “I’m So Glad I Found You, Baby” is the feeling of coming home from a long journey to find your love waiting for you.
If the last two years tested the mettle of Thee Sacred Souls, Got A Story To Tell is all that hard work paying off.
Ph Credits: Gus Olivares
