LABJACD (pronounced lab-jacked) is a 9-piece band that draws their influences from everything from old school hip-hop and jazz to Cuban salsa and even Andean folk music. The group formed in Melbourne, Australia mid-2004 and has created quite a buzz over the past year in which they have been performing solidly.
The 18 or so original songs that make up LABJACD’s powerful set are sung in a mixture of English and Spanish, reflecting the Chilean heritage of the 3 vocalists. The other members of the band have performed in numerous other acts in Melbourne, such as jazz and funk outfits or Cuban septets and salsa big bands.
Over the past year LABJACD has held down residencies at The Night Cat, The Evelyn and Cape Live in Fitzroy, where they have developed quite a large following. Other performances include Melbourne Fringe Festival, Federation Square, The Espy, Revolver and Earthcore, Woodford Folk Festival as well as upcoming shows at WOMADelaide. Early in 2006 LABJACD will be touring the East coast of Australia to promote their debut EP, which was launched in September at a sold-out show at The Evelyn. Plans to record in the near future have been bolstered by the receipt of The JB Seed grant from John Butler.
The music of LABJACD reflects the diversity of cultures in Australia – it is only in such a cosmopolitan place that such an outfit will emerge and continue to thrive. However LABJACD also functions on a much more grass-roots level through the energy they put into their performance and the fervour they instil in their crowd on the dance floor.
LABJACD is a recent addition to the Melbourne music scene although they have rapidly built a reputation which is still growing. This is reflected in their ever-growing fan base, interest from live music venues as well as respect from their peers. They have been described by The Age as “one of the best nights of music you’re likely to find in Melbourne”.
