Thee Sacred Souls

Biography

Thee Sacred Souls are a retro soul band formed in San Diego, California, in 2019 by bassist Salvador Samano, drummer/guitarist Alex Garcia, and vocalist Josh Lane. The trio first connected through the Southern California music scene, with Samano and Garcia meeting at a local show and bonding over a shared love of classic soul, Chicano soul, and the Westside Sound. Lane, who had studied classical voice and performed in Sacramento before relocating to San Diego, joined after connecting with Garcia via social media. Their early collaborations took place in garages and home studios, where they recorded rough demos that captured the essence of 1960s and 1970s soul, R&B, and doo-wop, but with a modern sensibility.

The band's breakthrough came when their demos caught the attention of Gabriel Roth (aka Bosco Mann), co-founder of Daptone Records, who saw them perform at just their second live show and quickly signed them to Penrose Records, Daptone's Southern California imprint. Their debut single, “Can I Call You Rose?”, released in March 2022, became a viral hit, amassing millions of streams and establishing their reputation for heartfelt, vintage-inspired songwriting. Their self-titled debut album followed, earning critical acclaim and a devoted global following. Thee Sacred Souls have since toured extensively across North America and Europe, sharing stages with acts like St. Paul and The Broken Bones and performing at major festivals such as Newport Folk Festival and Lollapalooza. Their sophomore album, 'Got a Story to Tell,' released in October 2024, reflects a maturing sound, incorporating elements of Jamaican rocksteady and girl group harmonies while maintaining their signature soulful warmth.

Musically, Thee Sacred Souls draw deeply from the well of classic soul, referencing artists like Brenton Wood, The Delfonics, Thee Midniters, and Marvin Gaye, as well as the broader traditions of Motown, doo-wop, and Brill Building pop. Their music resonates with a sense of nostalgia yet feels fresh and contemporary, earning them praise as heirs to a timeless tradition. In just a few years, they have become a leading voice in the modern soul revival, celebrated for their craftsmanship, emotional honesty, and ability to connect with audiences across generations.

Fun Facts

• Thee Sacred Souls' first concert took place at a friend's record shop, and their second-ever live show was attended by Daptone Records co-founder Gabriel Roth, who signed them on the spot.
• Their breakout single 'Can I Call You Rose?' was recorded as a demo in a home studio and has since garnered over 87 million streams on Spotify.
• The band's name is a tribute to classic Chicano soul bands like Thee Midniters and Sunny & the Sunliners.
• Josh Lane, the lead singer, studied classical voice before joining the band and brings influences ranging from Marvin Gaye to Simon & Garfunkel.

Members

• Jensine Benitez
• Alex Garcia
• Josh Lane
• Sal Samano

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Gabriel Roth (Bosco Mann) - Daptone Records co-founder who discovered and signed the band, guiding their early recording process. (Debut single 'Can I Call You Rose?', debut album 'Thee Sacred Souls') [2019–present]

Key Collaborators

• Josh Lane - Lead vocalist and founding member, central to songwriting and performance. (All Thee Sacred Souls releases) [2019–present]
• Alex Garcia - Drummer, guitarist, and founding member, key in production and musical direction. (All Thee Sacred Souls releases) [2019–present]
• Salvador Samano - Bassist, drummer, and founding member, integral to the band's sound and songwriting. (All Thee Sacred Souls releases) [2019–present]
• St. Paul and The Broken Bones - Touring partners; Thee Sacred Souls opened for them on their first major tour. (Live performances/tours) [2022]

Artists Influenced

• Thee Sinseers - Fellow Southern California soul revivalists inspired by similar influences and often mentioned alongside Thee Sacred Souls in the modern soul scene. (Contemporary releases in the Chicano soul and retro soul genres) [2020s]
• Jalen Ngonda - Labelmate on Penrose/Daptone Records, part of the same new wave of soul artists. (Modern soul releases) [2020s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Can I Call You Rose? (Thee Sacred Souls)
2. Will I See You Again? (Will I See You Again?)
3. Easier Said Than Done (Thee Sacred Souls)
4. Weak for Your Love (Thee Sacred Souls)
5. Love Is The Way (Love Is The Way)
6. It's Our Love (Will I See You Again?)
7. Live For You (Got a Story to Tell)
8. Future Lover (Thee Sacred Souls)
9. Running Away (Running Away)
10. Lucid Girl (Got a Story to Tell)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #chicago-soul, #smooth-soul, #soul