Saint Motel

Saint Motel Brings Cinematic Sound to The Catalyst in Santa Cruz

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — Get ready, Santa Cruz—Saint Motel is bringing their electrifying Symphony in the Sky Tour to The Catalyst on Tuesday, March 18. The indie pop band from Los Angeles is known for their high-energy performances and cinematic sound, and this show is shaping up to be one fans won’t forget.

Saint Motel, made up of A/J Jackson (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Aaron Sharp (lead guitar), Dak Lerdamornpong (bass), and Greg Erwin (drums), has been creating catchy, feel-good music for over a decade. Their newest album, Saint Motel & the Symphony in the Sky, is out now on all streaming platforms, and it’s full of the band’s signature mix of upbeat melodies and big, theatrical moments. Fans can expect to hear everything from early hits like “My Type” to fresh tracks like “Stay Golden.”

I had a chance to sit down with A/J Jackson for a Vibes interview recently, where he shared the unexpected origins of Symphony in the Sky, Saint Motel’s fourth album. It all began during a power outage in a Mexico City apartment. Jackson was on a romantic getaway when the lights went out. With nothing else to do, he grabbed his portable studio and started playing around with sounds, transforming piano notes into violin melodies. That’s when inspiration struck. He quickly wrote Fine Wine, a song about love and aging, and A Bluer Blue, a powerful track about the meaning of life

“This album process started much differently than any before. I had this mobile studio in my backpack and took that around with me to Mexico and to Europe. Then, I started writing without anything too specific in mind. I just wanted to do it with a different approach. More minimal, fewer distractions- I had a guitar, a keyboard, and that was pretty much it.”

This album is unlike anything Saint Motel has done before. It mixes their usual catchy pop sound with orchestral music, creating something both fresh and mature. Jackson’s life had changed a lot—he got married, became a dad, and lost loved ones. As time passes, he seems to be finding his place in it. Saint Motel’s songs reflect everything, from the highs to the deeper introspection, and even use the platform to process the hard times.

“Our song Benny Goodman is about perseverance and our identification with the grind he went through. ‘At least I have Nothing’ was about a situation where I had just lost a couple of jobs or was working shitty part-time jobs and was like, you know, still trying to find the beauty in the nothingness.”

The band’s big and small moments helped shape the new album’s themes. Moving from Los Angeles to Texas also made him rethink how he made music. With just a microphone and speakers in an empty room, he found a new creative process.

Instead of making a traditional album, Jackson and guitarist Aaron Sharp released songs as they finished them, calling it Saint Motel Studios. One of the first tracks, Everyone’s a Guru Now, pokes fun at California’s obsession with self-help trends. Another early song, Fine Wine, set the tone for the rest of the album.

To take things even further, Jackson teamed up with Grammy-winning producer Bekon, who has worked with Kendrick Lamar and Dr. Dre. Bekon helped the band push their sound in new directions, blending classical instruments with their signature style. Songs like Get It At Home celebrate staying in, while Stay Golden mixes folk and soul. Meanwhile, A Bluer Blue and Low Earth Orbit explore deep emotions about life and loss.

With Symphony in the Sky, Saint Motel took a risk, embraced change, and created something special. Jackson also took time to credit a time when the band struggled back in 2013 for appreciating the new album and the journey.

“It was a low point. Long story short, the band was falling apart. There was an ultimatum—either leave our manager at the time, who was a dear friend but was struggling, or the band would break up. I was writing a lot of music, and we weren’t sure what was happening. That whole chaotic time led me to keep writing, and some of that music is still being released today. But in the end, it all created the conditions that made the band a career. Everyone was ready to call it—except me (laughs) because I didn’t have a backup plan.”

The band recently posted on social media, sharing their excitement for the tour: “LET THE TOUR BEGIN!!! Today’s the long-awaited first day of The Symphony in the Sky Tour. We have put a lot of love into this one and can’t wait to perform…”

And what better place to catch them than The Catalyst? Known for hosting some of the best live shows in Santa Cruz, the venue’s intimate but electric vibe is the perfect setting for Saint Motel’s infectious energy.

A Look at Saint Motel’s Musical Journey

Saint Motel’s story started in the late 2000s when Jackson and Sharp met at a Southern California film school. They clicked over their love of music and visual storytelling, which is why their music videos and live shows always feel like a full-on experience, not just a performance. They later teamed up with Lerdamornpong and Erwin, and together, they started making waves in the indie music scene.

Their first big project, ForPlay (2009), stood out because they didn’t just release songs—they made a music video for every track. Their debut album, Voyeur (2012), followed, featuring fan favorites like “Puzzle Pieces.”

But it was 2014’s My Type EP that put them on the map. The title track became a massive hit, especially in Europe, and was even featured in video games and movies. After that, their 2016 album saintmotelevision kept the momentum going with songs like “Move” and a groundbreaking virtual reality experience that made them one of the first bands to experiment with VR music videos.

They took their cinematic style even further with The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2019–2021), a three-part album packed with songs like “Van Horn” and “A Good Song Never Dies.” And now, with Saint Motel & the Symphony in the Sky, they’re mixing their signature sound with orchestral elements, taking their music to another level.

Doors open at 7 p.m., and tickets are selling fast. If you’re a fan of energetic, feel-good music, this is a show you won’t want to miss. Visit saintmotel.com for tickets and a full list of tour dates.

Santa Cruz, get ready—Saint Motel is about to bring the house down at The Catalyst!