LabRats w/ Flint Blade

LabRats is a cutting-edge quartet of multi-instrumentalists, well-loved in the Sacramento Valley and catching on in other parts of the region. The magic is generated from deep within the groove pocket by Jacob Swedlow; unquestionably one of the hottest young drummers on the scene. Joey Archie on keys and Miguel Recendez on synth bass give LabRats an adventurous instrumental blueprint unlike you’ve ever experienced before. The more recent addition of Thomas Molina on trumpet takes the band’s sound into jazz-bliss cosmos territory.

Quickly simmering and then rolling to a boil, brace yourselves for a fearless force of lo-fi jazz fusion, old school soul and psychedelic electro improv. Just a few years into their process of development as a band, LabRats has proven to be an integral part of their hometown music scene. Their regular event – Sunday Sessions – has made The Torch Club Sacramento’s go-to destination for heady music aficionados. Something this special can’t be bottled and the electricity they generate onstage is having a profound effect on everyone who comes in contact with it.

LabRats challenges their listener’s perception of “jazz,” as they embody a wide range of styles and influences ranging from J Dilla, Death Grips, Soulquarians, and Sun Ra. At a live show, the band exudes a wonderful on-stage charm as they hypnotize the audience with colorful synth-scapes, syncopated drums, and fierce improvisation. In just under two years, the band has shared the stage with artists such as Kamasi Washington,Tower of Power, Talib Kweli, and GZA. They have been recognized by NPR, the Grammy Awards for three different categories, and have participated in major music festivals in Sacramento, San Jose, and Davis.

About the Supporting Artist

Flint Blade

Stemming out of necessity during the pandemic, live looping became all the rage. Some people got good at it. Others just thought it was the cool thing to do. Then there are rare specimens like Flint Blade who fully embody the looping paradigm; tapping into the sonic multiverse where everything slows down for them, like Neo cartwheeling between bullets in The Matrix. This looping Jedi from Florida came through back in June and knocked us out with his relentlessly groovy approach, multi-instrumental acumen and Zen-like bohemian appeal. He’s swinging back this way and will provide more entertainment than you can imagine to start what will be an epic night of experimental music. Come early and stay late!