With the revival of retro-soul in contemporary music came the creation of Thee Sacred Souls. They are a trio surging in popularity for their modern twist on 60s R&B. Rather than modifying their sound to fit mainstream standards; the group takes pride in restoring a bygone era of music.
Thee Origin Story
In 2019, the group was formed by drummer Alex Garcia and bassist Sal Samano. The San Diego-based Thee Sacred Souls was carefully crafted with an intention: to pay tribute to mid-1960s soul.
However, Garcia and Samano had been cutting oldie-inspired tracks together as a duo since 2017. The group’s official inception was marked when the two recruited lead singer Josh Lane to join in 2019. With a name nodding to the legendary Chicano rock group Thee Midniters, Thee Sacred Souls was born.
They first published a series of shortened soul demos to their Instagram. The three musicians put their musical artistry on display for the world to digest. Their sound: a tender fusion of Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. The look: young and modern. Their passion for the art of 60s soul: palpable.
In a 2022 interview with GRAMMY.com, Lane expressed his background in soul. He also explained the influences that can be identified throughout his discography.
I didn’t grow up on soul; our parents were really Christian and so I grew up on gospel music. My grandma listened to some soul. When I was in college, I started listening to soul — Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Al Green — pretty much all the soul artists that everybody kind of grows up knowing in America. They all came from the church. So I resonated with that.
– Josh Lane, Jessica Lipsky GRAMMYS
They captured the attention of Gabe Roth, co-founder of the independent funk/soul record label Daptone Records. The trio readily advanced their career after recording “Can I Call You Rose” at his Riverside studio. The track became the band’s first single in 2020, with their self-titled debut album following closely behind in 2022.
Today, the trio produces music under Penrose Records. Daptone Records’s imprinted managing a plethora of other modern soul artists (including The Altons and Thee Sinseers).
Thee Music
They are reminiscent of a type of music heard from a lowrider’s radio. The sound of Thee Sacred Souls combines Chicano and Motown melodies under their catchy name and earwormy releases.
“Can I Call You Rose”
Their first single was”Can I Call You Rose.” It incorporates lush instrumentals and emotive vocals. It molds a melody mimicking that of an earlier time, one of gentle yearning and endearment. With brass accents and soft guitar riffs throughout, the track evokes reactions of passion and romance from its listeners.
Featured as the opening song of the group’s self-titled album, “Can I Call You Rose” serves as the perfect introduction to an LP of similar tunes.
“Weak For Your Love”
Another memorable single from their self-titled album was”Weak For Your Love.” It gained momentum after a 1-minute audio clip of the song became popular amongst users on TikTok. A feeling of deep emotional vulnerability is captured through the track’s warm instrumentation and expressive lyrics.
Lane sings, “You have my heart inside your hands / baby, be careful what you do to me / you have control of all the strings.”
Acting as a beautifully smooth and mellow representation of love’s open nature and fragility, it is no surprise that “Weak For Your Love” became one of the trio’s most popular songs from their self-titled album.
“Happy and Well”
The sense of nostalgia and peace that exudes from each subsequent song, including “Happy and Well” is unmistakable. It is an uplifting tune featuring subtle basslines and gentle guitar. “Happy and Well” expresses gratitude for an innocent romance, one that does not depend on materialism. The lyrics demonstrate an intimate exchange between two individuals who are simply just in love.
Lane vocalizes within the outro, “I don’t need no money / I don’t need to fancy things / I just need my baby / here with me”—a sweet reminder of love’s purity.
The group’s intent behind the formation of Thee Sacred Souls did not rely solely on the creation of music for entertainment. Their elevated platform allowed them to address prevalent social issues, with their music serving as a form of advocacy as well.
In 2020, the trio released “Give Us Justice,” both a critique on today’s racial injustices and tribute to George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. The song’s sultry, down-tempo sound emphasizes the deep emotions revealed throughout the lyrics, Lane citing “It could have been me / lying on the concrete / there’s a knee against my neck.”
Bringing both passion and musicality to a heart-wrenching issue, ever-present in today’s world, Thee Sacred Souls provides listeners with a different form of protest: the art of music.
Thee Future
During their relatively short time together, Thee Sacred Souls has repeatedly proven themselves among comparable musicians time and time again. After their plethora of passionate releases, the group has formed a dedicated following of soul aficionados and lovers of love alike. With their 2024 “Live For You” tour underway, the group is drawing crowds to admire the revived genre of retro-soul in harmony alongside them.
Their authentic approach to a bygone era of music sets them apart from other contemporary bands. As a result, the group has garnered over six million listeners on Spotify—and the number continues to rapidly grow. They continue to play their sweet soul music at sold out venues in the United States and Europe, a testament to the long-lasting legacy they’re assuredly crafting for themselves.
There is a temptation to label Thee Sacred Souls as unmistakably retro or vintage. However, there exists a distinctly modern aspect to them. With the recent October 4th release of their newest album, Got a Story to Tell, Garcia, Samano, and Lane continue to define themselves as both timeless and contemporary.
The trio upholds a sense of singularity in the music world, one that draws audiences in, feeds their minds, and soothes their sacred souls.
