On August 15, San Gabriel will unveil their full-length debut, Nights and Weekends, via Seattle‑based nonprofit label Share It Music—available now for pre‑order. A portion of album proceeds will support HAAM (Health Alliance for Austin Musicians), reinforcing the label’s mission and San Gabriel’s heartfelt connection to Austin’s music community.
New Single: “Alone In My Room”
Today marks the release of the latest single, “Alone In My Room,” accompanied by a raw, stripped‑down live performance. Debuting via Flood Magazine, the track channels the emotional chasm following James Bookert’s exit from Whiskey Shivers. “It’s me confronting FOMO head‑on… while stocking shelves, dealing with customers, and fulfilling Uber Eats orders,” he reveals.
The live video adds a reflective visual element—filmed at Emigrant Lake in southern Oregon, the scenic backdrop complements the song’s mood of solitude and introspection. There’s an almost cinematic calm to it, as Bookert plays against the natural beauty of his new surroundings.
Bookert’s story adds impressive texture: he left Whiskey Shivers mid-tour when the once‑wild grind no longer felt safe or creative. He found himself scripting his next chapter behind the counter of an East Austin liquor store. With a boss who encouraged creativity—even granting off‑shift access—Bookert composed and recorded Nights and Weekends during late nights and lazy Sundays.
“Running Out of Time”: First Glimpse
The album’s lead single, “Running Out of Time,” premiered last month via Magnet Magazine and featured a moody music video. Written amidst a personal crisis, including a seizure‑disorder diagnosis, Bookert describes the song as a testament to life’s brevity and the resolve to pursue music that truly matters.
From Whiskey Shivers to Synth‑Forward Solitude
Before San Gabriel, Bookert played banjo and toured extensively with Whiskey Shivers and lent his talents to the Pitch Perfect 3 soundtrack alongside artists like Anna Kendrick and DJ Khaled. But health setbacks and a shifting personal narrative led him towards reflective synth pop—combining lo‑fi textures and 80s nostalgia.
Now based in Ashland, Oregon, he’s honing his vision at the Oddio Shop—Sylvia Massy’s famed studio—while touring as keyboardist, vocalist, and guitarist with Goth Babe, a connection forged at Austin City Limits.
Recognition & Resonance
Bookert’s bold leap into solo work has earned early acclaim. Last year, he won Hyundai’s “Your Journey, Your Track” competition. He’s also bagged the 2024 PNW Music Award for Best Synth Pop Song with “Over My Shoulder.”
With Nights and Weekends, Bookert explores themes of lost love, grief, independence and uncertainty—all wrapped in shimmering synth textures infused with optimism.
Why Nights and Weekends Matters
- Authentic storytelling: Bookert’s real‑life journey—leaving a band, confronting health challenges, and working a 9‑to‑5—gives this project depth and sincerity.
- Synth‑pop with heart: The record blends retro synth soundscapes with emotional resonance, similar to chillwave contemporaries like Neon Indian or Washed Out.
- Impact‑driven release: Partnering with Share It Music and supporting HAAM cements San Gabriel’s effort as a socially conscious artistic statement.
