From 2003-2010, Love Eternal released a new album or EP on an almost annual basis, but the band has gone quiet since 2010’s True Peace. Fear not: New material is on the way. “We are working on a double album,” says lead singer Jahred Namaste. “We’ve just started the basic planning for it and we’re really excited about it. There’s going to be a lot of new material, as well as some old material we never got around to recording.”
Known for its thought-provoking and uplifting songs, Love Eternal’s sound encompasses a broad swath of genres, including rock, funk, soul, folk and reggae. With a strong desire not to limit themselves, the seven band members embrace that variety. “Music is expansive,” Namaste says. “I feel like there’s no way to ever play as much music that could possibly come out of you, but it’s good to try. It’s good to be open-minded. We’ll pretty much try anything.” True Peace showcases the band’s musical and lyrical versatility, with the easygoing title track extolling the virtues of finding and maintaining harmony in the world, and the politically charged reggae song “A-M-E-R-I-C-A” exposing our nation’s imperfect history. The lush folk number “Walk with Each Other”—about a falling out that Namaste and his wife had with a friend—is the best example of the band’s honest approach to songwriting. “If it’s not personal then it’s not real,” says Namaste. “Every song we sing is personal because it’s coming from our personal lives and our feelings. We often say our songs are our medicine. Lyrics have to be personal. If they’re not, no one’s going to care.” Santa Cruz will have the opportunity to hear the band’s heartfelt repertoire at Summer Fair—a free concert series and art fair created by Love Eternal—taking place every Sunday in August at San Lorenzo Park. “There will be some new material in our set,” says Namaste. “We’re excited to share our music with everyone.”
INFO: Love Eternal will perform during Summer Fair on Aug. 11 and 18. The Summer Fair takes place from noon-6 p.m. every Sunday in August at San Lorenzo Park, 137 Dakota St., Santa Cruz. No cover.
