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Casa Del Sol Releases Debut Album Strange Angels – A Cinematic, Socially-Conscious Psych-Rock Journey

By Kath Galasso on January 24, 2025

Record Release Show in San Francisco on Saturday, January 25th
to Raise Awareness for Sweet Relief’s Southern California Fire Relief Efforts

For more information, please visit casadelsolmusic.com

Casa Del Sol, the San Francisco-based psych-rock quartet, is proud to announce the release of their debut album, Strange Angels, available now on all streaming platforms. The album is a 1960s- and 70s-inspired cinematic journey blending psychedelia, soul, rock, blues, and jazz, paired with socially-conscious themes and soaring improvisation. Designed to shed light in dark times, Strange Angels offers a poignant and immersive experience that recalls the golden era when music was religion, and listening to records was a sacred event.

To celebrate the release, Casa Del Sol will host a record release show on Saturday, January 25th, at San Francisco’s Broadway Studios. The event will also raise awareness for Sweet Relief, a nonprofit dedicated to providing financial assistance to career musicians and music industry workers facing physical or mental health challenges, disabilities, or age-related difficulties. Attendees will be encouraged to support Sweet Relief’s efforts for Southern California Fire Relief through QR codes displayed at the venue. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Casa Del Sol was founded by singer-songwriter and guitarist John “Mad Johnny” Modell, whose journey is as captivating as the music itself. Raised by legendary NFL team owner Art Modell, John forged his own path in the music industry, first as a mastering engineer for artists like CSNY and Yes, and later as an innovator in tech. After stepping away to raise his kids as a single dad, Modell returned to music alongside his closest friends: legendary drummer Wally Ingram (Sheryl Crow, Jackson Browne, Bob Weir and Phil Lesh), bassist Mike DiPirro (Bill Kreutzmann, Albany Project), and keyboardist Mighty Dave Pellicciaro (Jackmormons, Materialized). Together, the band creates a freewheeling yet distinctive blend of music with dramatic arrangements and telepathic interplay.

“I was the black sheep of the family. I went to California as a freaky guitar player much to my parents’ consternation, but they ended up proud that I made a living in this crazy business,” Modell shares. He continues: “These days I feel inspired to bring love, connection, and make people feel good through music. The best art is always made in times of turmoil.”

Strange Angels follows the release of the band’s recent single, “You Make Me So High” and its accompanying video, and builds on the band’s unique sound and vision. It’s a “turn on, tune in, drop out” album-oriented offering meant to be experienced in one sitting. Songs like the psych-folk standout “Love In a Time of War” showcase the band’s ability to blend deeply personal storytelling with cinematic musicality. Lavished with Modell’s sweetly weary vocals, rock n’ roll gospel organ, passages of lyrical lead guitar, and nuanced rhythm section interplay, the track reflects on the birth of Modell’s first son while delivering lyrics that resonate with themes of finding beauty in a painful world.

Members of Casa Del Sol have deep roots in both the Northern and Southern California studio scene, but the band’s music is steeped in San Francisco’s richly diverse musical heritage. At its core, the quartet is a song-oriented band specializing in telepathic interplay with moments of soaring improvisation and dramatic narrational arrangements. The four-piece group’s freewheeling but distinctive aesthetic encompasses strains of psychedelia, soul, rock, blues, jazz, folk, and world music.

The band’s name, meaning “house of the sun,” reflects their Southern California roots and their mission to shed light in dark times. Strange Angels takes its name from the vibrant community of fans and collaborators, lovingly dubbed the “Strange Angels,” who embody the themes of love, connection, and resilience central to the band’s ethos.

Modell’s creative resurgence continues to grow, with six albums’ worth of songs ready to record. Reflecting on his journey, he says: “It’s been a long ride and I am very lucky. The love, faith, and encouragement from my wife, my family, and my band have been everything to me.”

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About Casa Del Sol:
Casa Del Sol is a San Francisco-based psych-rock quartet blending cinematic storytelling with psychedelia, soul, rock, blues, jazz, and world music. Founded by John “Mad Johnny” Modell, the band is rounded out by Wally Ingram, Mike DiPirro, and Mighty Dave Pellicciaro. Their debut album, Strange Angels, is available now.