San Gabriel, the synth-pop project of James Bookert, has released a new single, “Play With Fire,” as a featured track on the band’s upcoming album Nights and Weekends, set to drop Aug. 15 on Share Music. All of the songs on the album were written, produced, performed and recorded in a liquor store in East Austin, and mixed by Grant Epley.
“Play With Fire” explores the emotional fallout of a relationship coming to an end. Bookert drew inspiration for the track while touring with the band Whiskey Shivers. As the tour went on, he said it morphed into a cycle of partying and shenanigans that he no longer wanted to be part of. Walking away wasn’t easy, but ultimately, he said, it was a healthy decision. “’Play With Fire’ delves into themes of independence, self-awareness, and emotional boundaries. As I was writing the song, I was gaining a newfound sense of self-confidence, while learning to stand on my own both personally and professionally,” Bookert said.
It serves as both a reflection on personal growth and a reminder to be mindful of where you invest your energy, especially in relationships that may no longer serve you.
After Pitch Perfect 3, he worked with artists such as Harvey Mason Jr., Anna Kendrick and Ester Dean. Bookert then decided to focus on producing and songwriting. To support himself in the meantime, he took a job at a local East Austin liquor store, where he also began writing and recording the songs that would become Nights and Weekends.
The album is titled after his shifts at the store, a sentimental album telling the stories of lost love, grief and grappling with an unsure future in many aspects, including musically and professionally.
A portion of the proceeds from the album will be donated to the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians, which is a nonprofit that it provides access to affordable healthcare for Austin’s working musicians.
