James Bookert took his job at the liquor store because he could work between tours with his band (Whiskey Shivers) and so long as the shelves were stocked, he could play guitar in his downtime. The product of that downtime became a dream pop solo project called San Gabriel. Having played banjo every night on the road, he found himself gravitating towards the complete opposite of an organic sound. Programed drums, electric guitars, synthesizers, and stacked vocals. While Bookert is an accomplished songwriter and musician (he plays and sings everything) there’s a palpable sense that he still lets the kid who first fell in love with 80’s pop sit in the driver’s seat.
