El Camino Sierra - David Haerle
El Camino Sierra Album cover
source: davidhaerle.com
El Camino Sierra is David Haerle’s third album, released in 2023. The name comes from the historic U.S. Highway 395, also known as the Sierra Highway, which runs through California’s Owens Valley. That road and landscape have always meant a lot to Haerle—he’s been going there since he was a kid. The wide-open desert, the snow-capped Sierras, and the feeling of freedom all helped inspire this album. It’s a mix of rock, pop, and Americana, but what makes it stand out is how personal it feels. Every song connects to something real in Haerle’s life—his family, his memories, and the people who’ve shaped him.
The album starts with California Here We Come, a song about Haerle’s father moving from Germany to Nashville and then to Los Angeles in search of a new beginning. Electric Trucker tells the story of a friend who became one of the first people to drive an all-electric semi-truck, using it as a symbol of adventure and hope for a cleaner future. Songs like Days in the Sun and Train Down Memory Lane look back on Haerle’s younger years—surfing trips, old friendships, and family moments that never really fade. One of the most emotional tracks, No More We, is about losing his older brother. It’s raw and heartfelt, a way of saying goodbye while holding onto the memories they shared.
Some songs take on smaller, more personal stories. Little Gordon is about the loss of a goldfish, showing how even the smallest things can leave a mark. Gilly and Finding Natalie (Reprised) touch on missed chances and the memories of people who come and go from our lives too soon. Hey Paul is a song for his childhood best friend, a reminder of how true friendship stays with you no matter how much time passes. Springtime brings in the idea of renewal—learning to let go and start over—while Countdown I Got Liftoff celebrates chasing dreams later in life and not giving up just because time has passed.
Haerle also uses the album to look at the bigger picture. True Liberty was inspired by the 2020 election and explores what it really means to be free and equal. Eddie is a tribute to Eddie Van Halen, whose music first made Haerle want to play guitar. The final track, All That Will Never Be, closes the album on a reflective note, thinking about regrets, lessons learned, and the importance of appreciating life as it is right now.
From start to finish, El Camino Sierra feels like a road trip through Haerle’s memories and experiences. It’s about growing up, losing people you love, rediscovering yourself, and finding beauty in the journey. The songs feel honest and human—like conversations with an old friend driving down a long stretch of highway, remembering where they’ve been and dreaming about where they’re going next.
sources:
Haerle, David. El Camino Sierra. David Haerle Official Website, 2023, https://davidhaerle.com/el-camino-sierra/.
Haerle, David. “About the Songs: El Camino Sierra.” David Haerle Official Website, 2023, https://davidhaerle.com/about-the-songs/about-the-songs-el-camino-sierra/.
“David Haerle Releases New Album El Camino Sierra.” Grateful Web, 2023, https://www.gratefulweb.com/articles/david-haerle-releases-new-album-el-camino-sierra.