After a year of sell-out tours in the States and Europe, L.A.B will soon return to Byron Bay Bluesfest with a new album ready to go.
After winning Best Group, Best Song and Best Album two years in a row at the New Zealand Music Awards, taking out Best Record at the 2022 Rolling Stone Awards and being voted New Zealand’s Best Live Act by Radio New Zealand, L.A.B are on fire.
L.A.B’s eclectic mix of reggae, blues, funk, rock and electronica creates a sound entirely their own, and one that we love.
On vocals and guitar, Joel Shadbolt chatted with Seven about crossing the Tasman to play in Byron at Easter.
Hi Joel – is the new record a departure from your other stuff?
I’d say it’s quite similar, but we’ve also brought fresh concepts and ideas – we’re definitely still on that rich reggae sound, with a soul R&B kind of influence. The songs are quite a mixed bag. Like ‘Ocean Demo’ is a really roots/reggae kind of feel and ‘Take It Away’ is kind of more guitar/riffy, but still kind of reggae. So yeah, it’s definitely a mixed bag for sure.
How was your Bluesfest debut in 2022?
That was incredible. It was at a time we were touring Australia and we were kind of halfway through the tour. I was pretty gutted that we couldn’t stay on and see other acts as well. And it was such a such a prolific festival.
So this year, we’re hoping to stay on a little longer and check out bands like Tedeschi Trucks Band, – and there’s some serious blues players coming over from the States, which is awesome.
Do you find yourself being drawn more towards doing festivals or do you prefer smaller events?
I think internationally – we’re trying to make waves overseas, so playing festivals like Bluesfest is important for the band. Back at home we’re definitely changing the mould of that. I like both.
What inspires you?
My family and my community. I’m definitely inspired by lots of other artists too. But I think at the core of writing music is when you start touring internationally, and you become very proud of the sound of where we’re from in New Zealand – the east coast of the North Island – so taking that sound to the world becomes quite precious, quite special. My community is really cool.
What is your current earworm?
To be honest, it’s gonna probably catch you off guard, but I saw Foo Fighters live the other day. I was absolutely blown away, it just felt like ‘Elvis is in the building’. You know Dave Grohl is just such a presence.
Are you having enough fun?
Oh, for sure. I mean, I think I’ve got, for lack of a better word, the balance right. I have my job with L.A.B, if I can call it a job. I pack a suitcase and leave the house and it’s off to work. But when I’m home, it’s about staying grounded and staying connected to the people around me and the people that love me. So that keeps me happy. And then when I go on the road, I’m not resentful. I mean, that if it was the other way around, and I was, you know, not fueling myself outside of the band, I think it would be quite hard and tiring.
It has been that in the past, and I guess it’s something I’ve acknowledged and I’m really kind of passionate about looking after myself more and more, the further down the track I get as a musician, I’m realising that I want to do this for the next 50 years. I want to do it right.
Get tickets to see L.A.B at Bluesfest from www.bluesfest.com.au
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
