Saint Motel

"Saint Motel" is an American indie pop band from Los Angeles, whose music has been described as everything from "dream pop" to "indie prog". The band consists of A/J Jackson (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Aaron Sharp (lead guitar), Dak Lerdamornpong (bass), and Greg Erwin (drums). "Saint Motel makes chic and sprightly music with hints of ironic malevolence. On "Voyeur," the group's first full-length release, the guitars clang briskly while the vocals ascend from high tenor to outright falsetto. Sometimes, a sample, shout or horn-section riff will enter to bounce an already airborne song even higher. The band members have a strong sense of style: The way singer-guitarist A/J Jackson and his cohorts inject Caribbean lilts, stomping beats and lounge-jazz licks into giddy power-pop suggests that they've carefully studied the Undertones' brilliant 1981 album, "Positive Touch." Saint Motel is wise to highlight its cunning arrangements and breathless execution." - Mark Jenkins / The Washington Post