L.A.B "L.A.B VI" (Easy Star)
Add Date: 2/20/2024
Release Date: 2/23/2023
FCC: Clean
Focus Tracks: Ocean Demon, Oh No (Pt. 2), Casanova, Give Me That Feeling
Formats: Non-Comm AAA, College, Submodern, World, Reggae, Soul
RIYL: Michael Franti, Iration, Dirty Heads
New Zealand’s L.A.B kicks off 2024 with the announcement of their 6th studio album, L.A.B VI, out February 23rd via Easy Star Records / Loop. After recording & releasing their first five albums in a five-year span, L.A.B VI arrives after an almost two year-long period of writing, recording, tweaking & finessing what is their strongest album to date.
Recorded with frequent collaborator Lee Prebble at Wellington's Surgery Studios, the album was written over the course of the last two years while the band has been touring across the globe, performing sold out shows in New Zealand, Australia, the United States, the UK & Europe. Incorporating all aspects of the band’s unique sound, the album combines reggae/roots & soul with funk & elements of rock.
Pre-order L.A.B. VI on all streaming services HERE. Physical copies will also be available for pre-order, to be released in North and South America on March 22nd.
“This album, given it took two years to make, allowed us to really simmer on the songs and carve out each track as needed,” shares lead singer, Joel Shadbolt. “The body of work, as a whole, feels very lively and gives me the same feeling of our debut album. Slightly raw and edgier than previous albums. I think I can say on behalf of the boys we are incredibly proud of the quality of these tunes, and they make us feel good, which in turn should make you feel good.”
To celebrate, the band also shares their brand-new single, “Ocean Demon.” Speaking on the track, the band shares that it’s “a tune that shows [our] love for roots reggae. All about surfing and playing up as a young fella with the boys.” Listen to “Ocean Demon” HERE.
The album will feature the previous singles, “Take It Away,” “Casanova” & “Oh No (Pt. 2),” which show all the different sides of the L.A.B sound. Their single “Casanova” is currently the most-played song on New Zealand radio across all formats for over a month and is currently in rotation at over a dozen Triple AAA stations in the US.
Following their album release, L.A.B will be performing at Electric Avenue Festival in New Zealand before making their way to the U.S. Their first stop will be in Hawai’i for two co-headline shows with Iration in March, then in Las Vegas, NV for Holo Holo before a return performance at the iconic California Roots festival wrapped around a run of over a dozen headline shows to be announced soon! See below for a full list of dates!
L.A.B’s sound blends an eclectic mix of reggae, blues, funk, rock and electronic - all combining to create a groove entirely their own. Formed by Brad Kora, L.A.B comprises his brother Stu Kora, Ara Adams-Tamatea, Miharo Gregory & frontman Joel Shadbolt. Featuring former members of two of New Zealand’s premier acts Kora & Katchafire, L.A.B have made their name on the live stages of New Zealand & Australia.
The past five years have seen them release a new album each year, while becoming a mainstay in the NZ Music Charts and on the festival circuit, headlining every major festival across New Zealand and Australia from the Byron Bay Bluesfest & WOMAD to Rhythm and Vines & One Love.
L.A.B’s 2022 summer run of sold-out stadiums saw them perform to over 70,000 people in Australia & New Zealand, including a sold-out show at Auckland’s iconic Western Springs. This was followed directly with their first performances in the United States, capped off with a performance at the iconic California Roots Festival & a sold-out Hawaiian show. October saw their debut European shows, selling out both Paradiso in Amsterdam & the 02 Forum in London. The band have been recently profiled & spotlighted globally by Dolby with an Artist Spotlight video.
The band has cemented themselves on the NZ charts, with singles like “In The Air” and “Why Oh Why” both reaching Number One. Their accomplishments include all five albums reaching multi-platinum status, alongside 17 multi-Platinum singles & 11 Gold singles. The band has over 500 million streams across all DSPs and is just beginning to focus on the North American market.
L.A.B is:
Brad Kora | Drums, Backing Vocals
Stu Kora | Keyboards, Guitar, Backing Vocals
Joel Shadbolt | Vocals, Lead Guitar
Ara Adams-Tamatea | Bass
Miharo Gregory | Keys, Backing Vocals
L.A.B VI Tracklisting
Give Me That Feeling
Casanova
Ocean Demon
Oh No (Pt. 2)
Follow
Crazy Dream
Mr Rave Rider
Signs
I Believe (ft. Aja)
Take It Away
Trying To Catch Me
TOUR DATES
Feb 24th, 2024 - Christchurch, NZ - Electric Avenue Festival
Mar 1st, 2024 - Maui, HI - Maui Arts & Cultural Center
Mar 2nd, 2024 - Honolulu, HI - Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell
Mar 29th, 2024 - Byron Bay, AUS - Byron Bay Blues Festival
Apr 27th, 2024 - Las Vegas, NV - Holo Holo Music Festival
May 25th, 2024 - Monterey, CA - CaliRoots Festival
May-Jun 2024 - USA Headline Tour *to be announced*