Saint Motel

Saint Motel
Saint Motel in 2016
Saint Motel in 2016
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, US
Genres
Years active2007–present
Labels
Members
Websitesaintmotel.com

Saint Motel (stylized in all caps) is an American indie pop band from Los Angeles, whose music has been described as everything from dream pop to progressive indie.[1][2] The band is composed of singer, songwriter, and producer, A. J. Jackson (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Aaron Sharp (lead guitar), Dak Lerdamornpong (bass) and Greg Erwin (drums).[3][4]

Saint Motel photographed during "The Awards Show Tour" in Dublin, Ireland in 2024

Career

[edit]

2007–2011: ForPlay

[edit]

The group initially came together while Jackson and Sharp were attending film school in Southern California.[5] The duo later met Lerdamornpong at a sushi restaurant where he worked near campus and Greg who went to a school nearby. The band emphasizes visuals in addition to its music; their 2009 debut EP, ForPlay, included a video for each of the six songs.[6]

2012–2013: Voyeur

[edit]

The band's first full-length album, Voyeur, debuted at No. 18 on the alt specialty radio charts and six of its eleven songs charted on the Hype Machine Charts.[7][8][9][10][11] The album was praised by journals ranging from The Washington Post to Daytrotter. KCRW Music Librarian and DJ Eric J. Lawrence wrote, "They have attacked [the debut album] with gusto on Voyeur, adding dynamic touches to their rock-solid core of songwriting", and, "Overall the album is a satisfying package from start to finish".[12]

2014–2015: My Type

[edit]

The band released the EP My Type with Parlophone on August 17 in the UK.[13][14] "My Type" climbed the Top 30 charts in many European countries including Italy where it was certified platinum.[15] The band embarked on two European and one US tour in support of the EP and were expected to release the full-length album later in 2015. In December 2014 Saint Motel announced that they had joined the Elektra Records roster.[16] Saint Motel appeared as the musical guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC performing the songs "My Type" and "Cold Cold Man".[17] In April 2015, Saint Motel performed during both weekends on the main stage at the 2015 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.[18] They also performed at Piqniq[19] and the 2015 KROQ Weenie Roast.[20]

2016–2018: Saintmotelevision

[edit]

On July 11, 2016, Saint Motel announced Saintmotelevision, their second album, would be released on October 21, 2016. The band embarked on a North American tour in support of the album, with Hippo Campus and JR JR as supporting acts.[21] On August 12, Saint Motel released the album's first single, "Move", with an accompanying 360-degree video.[22] The song was featured in the EA Sports video game FIFA 17. In September, in an exclusive with Billboard, they released another song from the album, "You Can Be You".[23] Saint Motel has released 10 virtual reality components, one for each song on the album.[24] This makes Saint Motel the first band to release an entire album with a virtual reality VR experience to accompany every track.[25] Saint Motel has continued to experiment with new technologies, releasing the first-ever augmented reality version of Saintmotelevision.[26]

2019–2021: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

[edit]

On October 16, 2019, the band released the EP The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Part 1, the first of two extended plays consisting of songs from their third album, The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.[27] On March 16, 2020, the band released the single "A Good Song Never Dies". This was part of the EP The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Part 2, the second part of their third album.[28] In 2020, "A Good Song Never Dies" was featured on the soundtrack to the video game MLB The Show 20. On June 25, 2021, the full The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack album was released, containing every song from both EPs, the previously released single "It's All Happening", and four new songs.

2023–present: Saint Motel Studios and Saint Motel & the Symphony in the Sky

[edit]

On May 5, 2023, the band released their first single of what they described as "Saint Motel Studios", a concept based on the classic Hollywood film studio system that they described more as a phase than an album.[29][30] The new single "Everyone's A Guru Now" was quickly followed by "Fine Wine" on August 4, and “Slowly Spilling Out” on November 3.[31] They then released "Stay Golden" on July 26, 2024.

On September 24, 2024, the band announced their fourth studio album, Saint Motel & the Symphony in the Sky, to be released in February 2025. This announcement was followed by the release of another single, “Steady Hand” on October 11, 2024. [32]

Live shows

[edit]

Saint Motel has created or performed at a variety of shows,[33] including The Kaleidoscopic Mind Explosion in 3D,[34] Future Fathers Day, The Black & White Show,[35] Make Contact, the 80/35 Music Festival in Des Moines, Iowa,[36] and Valentine's Zombie Prom[37] and has toured with bands such as Band of Skulls,[38] Nico Vega, Imagine Dragons,[39] Races,[40] Hockey,[41] Arctic Monkeys,[42] Weezer, and Lights.[43] Saint Motel performed at the 2015 Sanremo Music Festival in Sanremo, Italy, and at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.[44] On December 12, they performed in Live Out (Monterrey, Mexico). The band opened for Panic! At The Disco on their Death of a Bachelor Tour. Starting in 2023 the band began their latest endeavor, "The Awards Show Tour" which was modeled after a classic Awards Show program where the fans could vote on songs throughout the night.[45]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Title Details Peak chart positions
US
[46] 		US
Alt.
[47] 		US
Rock
[48] 		ITA
[49]
Voyeur
  • Released: July 10, 2012
  • Label: On The Records
  • Formats: Digital download, CD, LP
 — — — —
saintmotelevision
  • Released: October 21, 2016
  • Label: Elektra Records
  • Formats: Digital download, CD, LP
 62 9 13 100
The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: June 25, 2021[50]
  • Label: Elektra Records
  • Formats: Digital download, CD, LP
 — — — —
"—" denotes album that did not chart or was not released

Extended plays

[edit]
Title Details Peaks
ITA
[49]
ForPlay
  • Released: 8 September 2009
  • Label: On The Records
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
 —
7"1
  • Released: December 13, 2011
  • Label: On The Records
  • Formats: 7"
 —
7"2
  • Released: 2013
  • Label: On The Records
  • Formats: 7"
 —
My Type
  • Released: August 17, 2014
  • Label: Elektra, Parlophone
  • Formats: Digital download, CD
 52
The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Part 1
  • Released: October 16, 2019[51]
  • Label: Elektra
  • Formats: Digital download
 —
The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Part 2
  • Released: September 18, 2020[52]
  • Label: Elektra
  • Formats: Digital download
 —
"—" denotes album that did not chart or was not released

Singles

[edit]
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
Rock
[53] 		BEL
(WA)
[54] 		CAN
Rock
[55] 		CIS
[56] 		FRA
[57] 		ICE
[58] 		ITA
[49] 		SCO
[59] 		SWI
[60] 		UK
[61]
"Puzzle Pieces"[62] 2011 — — — — — — — — — — Voyeur
"At Least I Have Nothing"[63] 2012 — — — — — — — — — —
"1997"[64] — — — — — — — — — —
"Benny Goodman"[65] — — — — — — — — — —
"Ace in the Hole"[66] 2013 — — — — — — — — — — My Type EP
"My Type" 2014 18 53 7 186 130 — 14 20 51 34
"Cold Cold Man"[72] 2015 —[A] — — — — — 45 — — —
"Move"[75] 2016 29 — 37 — — — 48 — — — saintmotelevision
"You Can Be You"[76] — — — — — — — — — —
"Born Again"[77] — — — — — — — — — —
"Destroyer"[78] 2017 — — — — — — — — — —
"Van Horn" 2019 30 — 47 — — — — — — — The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
"A Good Song Never Dies"[79] 2020 — — — — — — — — — —
"Preach"[80] —[B] — — — — — — — — —
"Feel Good"[82] 2021 — — — — — 12 — — — — Non-album single
"It's All Happening"[83] —[C] — — — — — — — — — The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
"Everyone's a Guru Now"[84] 2023 — — — — — — — — — — Non-album singles
"Slowly Spilling Out" — — — — — — — — — —
"Fine Wine" — — — — — — — — — —
"Stay Golden" 2024 — — — — — — — — — —
"—" denotes a single that did not chart or was not released.

Other certified songs

[edit]
Title Year Certifications Album
"Sweet Talk" 2016 saintmotelevision

Videography

[edit]
Title Year Director
"Butch" 2009 A. J. Jackson
"Dear Dictator" Carlos Estrada
"To My Enemies" Carlos Estrada
"Eat Your Heart Out" Evan Savitt
"Pity Party" A. J. Jackson
"Do Everything Now" A. J. Jackson
"Dear Dictator" (Sam Sparro Remix) 2010 A. J. Jackson
"Puzzle Pieces" 2011 A. J. Jackson
"At Least I Have Nothing" Saint Motel
"1997" 2012 A. J. Jackson
"Benny Goodman" A. J. Jackson
"Daydream/Wetdream/Nightmare" 2013 Sidsel Sørensen
"My Type" (Unofficial) 2014 Sam Winkler
"My Type" A. J. Jackson
"Cold Cold Man" (Unofficial) 2015 N/A
"Cold Cold Man" Chris Osbrink
"Move" 2016 Nick Roney and Zach Wechter
"You Can Be You" (Virtualizer) N/A
"Born Again" (Virtualizer) N/A
"Late Night Tour" (Recap Video) 2018 N/A
"Old Soul" (Official Visualizer) 2019
"Sisters" (Official Visualizer)
"Van Horn" (Official Visualizer)
"Diane Mozart" (Official Visualizer)
"Save Me" (Official Visualizer)
"Van Horn" 2020 A. J. Jackson
"Preach" N/A
"It's all happening" 2021 N/A
"Slowly Spilling Out" 2023 A. J. Jackson & Mario Contini

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ "Cold Cold Man" did not chart on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart but did peak at number 37 on the Rock Airplay chart.[73]
  2. ^ "Preach" did not chart on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart but did peak at number 33 on the Alternative Airplay chart.[81]
  3. ^ "It's All Happening" did not chart on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart but did peak at number 39 on the Alternative Airplay chart.[81]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Fusilli, Jim (October 31, 2009). "Warpaint, Free Energy, Fool's Gold and Others at CMJ Talk to Jim Fusilli About the Music-Making Business". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
  2. ^ Pareles, Jon (January 6, 2011). "The Circus Tumbles In, to the Sound of the '70s". The New York Times.
  3. ^ Sankaran, Jasmine. "Music Q&A: Dak Lerdamornpong from Saint Motel". AsianWeek. Archived from the original on July 22, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  4. ^ "Knuckleball! (2012) - IMDb". IMDb.
  5. ^ "Saint Motel". Interview Magazine. September 16, 2011. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
  6. ^ "Music gift: Saint Motel's 'ForPlay' EP | Holiday Gift Guide | Los Angeles Times". Latimesblogs.latimes.com. December 10, 2009. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
  7. ^ "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Nielsen Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  8. ^ "Check Out: Saint Motel – "1997" (CoS Premiere) « Consequence of Sound". Consequence.net. May 16, 2012. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
  9. ^ "Saint Motel: Voyeur - Album Preview on KCRW". Kcrw.com. Archived from the original on September 10, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
  10. ^ "Los Angeles quartet 'Saint Motel' release debut album 'Voyeur' on July 10th". Archived from the original on June 25, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  11. ^ "Saint Motel Presents Judgment Day On May 21st At The Roxy". The Audio Perv. Archived from the original on October 23, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  12. ^ Fusilli, Jim (July 27, 2012). "Critic Review for Saint Motel". KCRW. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  13. ^ Bambridge, Fred (June 3, 2014). "It's All Indie: Saint Motel sign to Parlophone Records". Itsallindie.com. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  14. ^ "Saint Motel deliver exuberant live performance". Daily Californian, February 23, 2015. Sasha Chebil
  15. ^ Barnabi, Maria (September 30, 2014). "La Nostra Canzone Del Giorno: My Type Dei Saint Motel". Cosmopolitan Italia. Hearst Magazines. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  16. ^ Thompson, Gus. "Media Life: Ex-Auburn drummer's Saint Motel signs with Elektra Records". AuburnJournal.com. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  17. ^ "Tom Arnold, Maisie Williams, Music from Saint Motel" (Video upload). abc.go.com. ABC. March 24, 2015. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  18. ^ Miller, Jeff. "Coachella 2015: Saint Motel Talks U.S. Breakout Moment". Billboard.com. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  19. ^ Ryan, Patrick (June 4, 2024). "Saint Motel might just be your 'Type'". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  20. ^ Brown, August (April 27, 2015). "KROQ Weenie Roast revamps with Florence + the Machine, Death Cab for Cutie". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 21, 2017. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  21. ^ "Saint Motel Announce New Album, saintmotelevision". pastemagazine.com. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  22. ^ Green, Jake. "LISTEN: SAINT MOTEL // MOVE". When The Gramophone Rings. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  23. ^ Havens, Lyndsey (September 15, 2016). "Saint Motel's 'You Can Be You' Song & Video: Exclusive Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  24. ^ Locker, Melissa (May 12, 2017). "This L.A. rock band just released the first full VR album". Fast Company. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  25. ^ Shouneyia, Alexa. "Saint Motel Is Turning 'saintmotelevision' Into First-Ever Virtual Reality Album". billboard. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  26. ^ Quamme, Margaret (February 17, 2020). "Visuals augment the sounds of Saint Motel". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  27. ^ "Saint Motel Break Down 'The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Part 1': Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  28. ^ "Saint Motel Share New Track, "A Good Song Never Dies"". The Prelude Press. March 16, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  29. ^ "Saint Motel Unveil New Single 'Everyone's a Guru Now'". The Prelude Press. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  30. ^ "Introducing: Saint Motel Studios!". Instagram. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  31. ^ "10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through The Week: Cannons, Lauv, BAMBII With Aluna & More". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2023.
  32. ^ "Saint Motel announces new album and North American tour both coming in 2025". 105.7 The Point. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  33. ^ "Saint Motel @ The Roxy". L.A. Record. Archived from the original on June 14, 2012. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
  34. ^ The Troubadour says…. "Saint Motel Kaleidoscopic Mind Explosion in 3-D w/ Aushua, Oliver Future, and the Voyeurs @ The Troubadour – Flavorpill Los Angeles". flavorpill.com. Retrieved October 21, 2011.[permanent dead link‍]
  35. ^ "Saint Motel Black and White Show: Concert Review". Beatcrave.com. November 10, 2009. Archived from the original on October 16, 2011. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
  36. ^ Rogan, Adam (June 25, 2017). "Archived". Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved June 6, 2023 – via Instagram.
  37. ^ Jessup, Julie (February 4, 2011). "Saint Motel Presents 3rd Annual Zombie Prom". NBC Los Angeles. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
  38. ^ "Saint Motel to Support Band of Skulls". Green Shoelace. April 2, 2010. Retrieved September 4, 2012.[permanent dead link‍]
  39. ^ Joemeservy (October 8, 2010). "Imagine Dragons, Twenty One Pilots, Nico Vega, and Saint Motel Announce Tour « Hungry Tiger Music". Hungrytigermusic.wordpress.com. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
  40. ^ "Frenchkiss Records". Frenchkiss Records. July 16, 2012. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2012.
  41. ^ Van, Jen (July 19, 2013). "Check in to Saint Motel & Get a Chance to Check Them Out 7/25 at Soda Bar!". Sounds in San Diego. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  42. ^ "Arctic Monkeys at First Avenue, Minneapolis". We Heart Music. Retrieved February 15, 2014.
  43. ^ "LIGHTS AND SAINT MOTEL". sandiegoreader.com. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  44. ^ "Coachella 2015: Saint Motel bring flashy style to main stage". Los Angeles Daily News, By Liset Marquez, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, 04/12/15,
  45. ^ "Votes are in: Saint Motel's 'The Awards Show' tour is set for success with fan-selected songs". The Daily Northwestern. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  46. ^ "Saint Motel - Billboard". Billboard.
  47. ^ "Saint Motel – Chart history (Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  48. ^ "Saint Motel – Chart history (Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  49. ^ a b c Peaks in Italy:
  50. ^ "The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Saint Motel on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  51. ^ "Saint Motel Break Down 'The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Part 1': Exclusive". Billboard. October 16, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  52. ^ "Saint Motel goes rollerskating in new 'Preach' video". ABC News Radio. August 18, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  53. ^ "Saint Motel – Chart history (Hot Rock Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  54. ^ "Discografie Saint Motel". ultratop.be (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  55. ^ "Saint Motel – Chart history (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved February 10, 2020.
  56. ^ "Saint Motel - TopHit - Highway To Airplay". TopHit. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  57. ^ "Saint Motel discography". lescharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  58. ^ "Vinsældalisti Rásar 2 - RÚV". RÚV (in Icelandic). Archived from the original on April 20, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  59. ^ Peaks in Scotland:
  60. ^ "Saint Motel - My Type - swisscharts.com". swisscharts.com. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  61. ^ "SAINT MOTEL | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  62. ^ "Puzzle Pieces - Single by Saint Motel on Apple Music". Apple Music (US). May 10, 2011. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  63. ^ "At Least I Have Nothing - Single by Saint Motel on Apple Music". Apple Music (US). February 7, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  64. ^ "1997 - Single by Saint Motel on Apple Music". Apple Music (US). May 31, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  65. ^ "Benny Goodman - Single by Saint Motel on Apple Music". Apple Music (US). June 22, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  66. ^ "Ace in the Hole - Single by Saint Motel on Apple Music". Apple Music (US). November 12, 2013. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  67. ^ a b c d "American certifications – Saint Motel". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  68. ^ "BPI: Certified Awards" (Enter the keyword "Saint Motel" into the box). British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  69. ^ "Italian single certifications – Saint Motel – My Type" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  70. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Saint Motel)". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  71. ^ "Canadian certifications – Saint Motel". Music Canada. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  72. ^ "Cold Cold Man by Saint Motel on Apple Music". Apple Music. December 16, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  73. ^ "Saint Motel Album & Song Chart History – Rock Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2019.
  74. ^ "Italian single certifications – Saint Motel – Cold Cold Man" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  75. ^ "Move by Saint Motel on Apple Music". Apple Music. November 17, 2016. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  76. ^ "Watch Saint Motel's Quaint Video for "You Can Be You," Another 360-Degree VR Experience". Paste Magazine. September 16, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  77. ^ "New song "Born Again" and 360 Virtualizer out today! - Saint Motel Latest News". saintmotel.com. October 14, 2016. Archived from the original on March 18, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  78. ^ "Saint Motel Is Turning 'saintmotelevision' Into First-Ever Virtual Reality Album, Premieres Visual for 'Destroyer': Exclusive". Billboard. May 11, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  79. ^ "Saint Motel premieres new track, "A Good Song Never Dies"". ABC News Radio. Archived from the original on April 12, 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  80. ^ "Preach - Single by Saint Motel on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  81. ^ a b "Saint Motel – Chart history (Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  82. ^ "Feel Good (From the Netflix Film YES DAY) - Single by Saint Motel on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  83. ^ "It's All Happening by Saint Motel". Napster. May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  84. ^ "Saint Motel Declare 'Everyone's A Guru Now' With New Single". antiMusic.com. May 5, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
[edit]
  • "News". Saint Motel Official Site. Archived from the original on September 7, 2016. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
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