Thee Sacred Souls

Thee Sacred Souls

Thee Sacred Souls are a San Diego group working in soul, smooth soul and Chicago soul. The band forms around vocalist Josh Lane, drummer Alex Garcia and bassist Sal Samano, with Jensine Benitez also listed as a member.

Formation and early development

Alex Garcia and Sal Samano begin making bedroom demos together in 2019, drawing on the souldies they grow up with. Both are multi-instrumentalists: Garcia moves from guitar to drums, where he develops the restrained pulse that shapes the group’s sound, while Samano builds bass lines around the band’s repetitive grooves. Their sound takes clearer shape when they connect with Josh Lane, who has recently moved to San Diego from Sacramento after studying singing. Lane brings a voice and writing style described through their smooth, floating delivery, while Garcia and Samano provide the rhythm section behind it.

First recordings and Daptone connection

After the band’s first club performance, Josh Lane, Sal Samano and Alex Garcia are approached by Bosco Mann, the producer and co-founder of Daptone Records. Three days later, the group records its first material at Mann’s Riverside studio.

Style and lineup

Thee Sacred Souls build their music from rhythm tracks, deep bass lines and understated drumming, with Lane’s vocals sitting over the top of the arrangement. The group’s listed members are Jensine Benitez, Alex Garcia, Josh Lane and Sal Samano.