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Labra Brothers to release first full-length album
IF YOU GO
What: The Labra Brothers record release show, with Spirit of the Bear, Ohio Weather Band, Leo D’Angelo and DJ Outro
When: Saturday (doors open at 7 p.m., music at 8 p.m., starting with D’Angelo)
Where: West Side Bowl, 2617 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown (upstairs stage)
Admission: $12; or $18, which includes a CD copy of the new album
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
YOUNGSTOWN
The Labra Brothers this week will release their first full-length album, “Colder Weather,” featuring 10 original tracks.
A record-release show will take place Saturday evening at West Side Bowl with a lineup that also includes Spirit of the Bear, the Ohio Weather Band, Leo D’Angelo and DJ Outro.
The Mahoning Valley-based Labra Brothers – Adrian, Cristian and David – released an EP three years ago that introduced their sound and propelled a rapid ascent in the area’s pop hierarchy. The air-tight act drapes vocal harmonies over rapid Latin grooves, with some funk guitars and R&B stirred in.
The new album – funded with an online effort that raised more than $11,000 – saw the Labras team up with a few friends in the music community to solidify their sound.
The core of the band is Adrian Labra on guitar and lead vocals, Cristian Labra on bass and vocals, and David Labra on saxophone. A fourth brother, Victor Labra, supplies some vocals on “Colder Weather.”
Adrian discussed the new album and Saturday’s show in this exchange.
Q. What does the new album mean to the band?
A. This is our first full-length LP, and we really feel that it is a statement made for us. We hope this album will serve as musical enjoyment for our friends and followers that have shown us love. Several were generous enough to contribute to our crowd-funding campaign we started last year. Most importantly, we needed to prove to ourselves that we could see this project through to the end. It was an important step for us to finish a few songs that we had left incomplete on the back-burner and get them recorded on a shareable platform.
Q. Describe the album.
A. The new album features 10 original songs – seven new ones, and three songs that have been re-recorded, re-mixed and remastered from our 2016 project, “Labra Bros. EP” We are really excited about this record because of the love and creative energy that was put into these 10 songs.
Q. What was the creative process like?
A. Our favorite aspect of this project has been the collaboration. We were fortunate to have had Todd Maki and Dave Lynn work on the album as producers. Todd has a superb ear and a wildly creative musical mind. Dave’s involvement was a huge asset, both in songwriting and during the recording/mixing process. You can hear Dave’s masterful guitar playing on our single “For Real,” available on streaming services now. It was a pleasure for us to have Kyle Youmans (baritone sax), Mike Barkett (trumpet) and Scott Burns (cello) on board for this project as well.
Q. What can we expect at Saturday’s show at West Side Bowl?
A. We will have our full, six-member band, including Danny Svenson on keyboard, Bob Young on drums and Matt Hayes on percussion. We will also be featuring some local musicians for our set: Caitlin Hedge on violin, Lizzie George on viola, Rajma McKenzie on violin, Scott Burns on cello, Justin Randall on trumpet, Alex Miller on baritone sax and Dave Lynn on guitar.