Formed in 2007, California indie pop band Saint Motel was founded by pianist/vocalist A.J. Jackson and classically trained guitarist Aaron Sharp.
Both were aspiring film students at Chapman University in Orange, California, they recruited bassist Dak Lerdamornpong, who worked at a nearby sushi restaurant, and drummer Greg Erwin, who attended another nearby college. They started writing music together, which can be described as “slick, bouncy, retro, and tropicalia-influenced”.
Putting their film school experience to good use, they created eye-catching, retro videos for all six of the tracks on their 2009 debut EP ForPlay. What a clever play on words there… pretty smooth guys 🙂
Here’s the music video for “Butch”from ForPlay.
With such catchy songs and steady touring, their success grew. Visuals remained an important element of their work and many of their stage shows were spectacular theatrical events with names like “The Valentine’s Zombie Prom.” Their critically well-received debut album, Voyeur, was released in 2012.
A few highlights from Voyeur – “At Least I Have Nothing” and “Benny Goodman”
In 2014 the band signed with Parlophone, releasing the EP My Type.
From the EP My Type, this is “Ace in the Hole”
Their new album, Saintmotelevision, comes out October 21st, 2016 – right before their appearance at The Voodoo Music and Arts Experience in New Orleans! Here’s “Move” from the upcoming album.
