New Music: San Gabriel – Beside Me

James Bookert is a busy person indeed, but we should appreciate that he finds the space to write jewels like this.

Aside from his role in San Gabriel, he performs as a keyboardist, singer, and guitarist with Griff Washburn, aka Goth Babe. In fact, the giddy distortion of Beside Me was the result of a collaboration with Washburn.

That may be why there is a degree of crossover between the sound of the song and the often-chilled slightly nostalgic sound of Goth Babe. Bookert looks to that and takes us somewhere else, however: 80s-vibing synths and a hazy melody pair with lyrics that are maybe aromantic. It takes us down a surprising path, with love leaving the song’s subject feeling less whole thanks to love, not feeling more complete. That could be why the vocal production often has an uneasy crunch and crackle to it, because this isn’t where love breaks down; instead, it is dancing uncertainly around the possibility.  

“I decided that I wanted to try something different,” says Bookert about Beside Me. “I felt like there was something about the raw nature of this song that I really liked, that served it really well.”

Beside Me is out now on Seattle’s non-profit record label Share It Music to download on Bandcamp and stream on Spotify. Part of the proceeds from the single will be donated to San Gabriel’s chosen charity, HAAM (Health Alliance for Austin Musicians), which provides affordable healthcare for Austin, Texas based working musicians.

You can get details of other listening options and learn more about Bookert and his music by connecting with San Gabriel on Facebook or Instagram.