The new Black Lab album
I’m thrilled to announce DARK STAR, the (re-)release of Black Lab b-sides, soundtracks, and demos featuring Michael Belfer, remastered and streaming now.
Michael was the original guitarist in Black Lab, and together we recorded not just Your Body Above Me but over a dozen other tracks. Among these are recordings that saw the light of day ('Wide Open,' 'Keep Myself Awake,' 'Black Eye') as well as those that found life in future versions.
When Michael passed a couple of years ago, I knew I wanted to re-release the songs he played on in a way that paid tribute to him and his work. Michael was a founding member of seminal bands The Sleepers and Tuxedomoon, and had a big influence on Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth among many others.
Michael was a star — but often too dark to see — and his brightness as a person often hid the dark struggles within.
Your Body Above Me, Special Edition Vinyl
A gatefold double-LP featuring 15 songs on either 180 gram audiophile black or 180 gram translucent smoke vinyl in printed sleeves.
This collection includes all 12 songs from the original LP, plus the 3 additional songs that feature the original band and were recorded during the sessions at Toast in San Francisco (‘Walk Slow,’ ‘James,’ ‘Black Eye’).
All songs were re-mastered for vinyl from David Bianco’s original mixes by Richard Houghton.
This special edition is limited to 500 pieces (250 each of black and smoke).
Ways you can support us
• Follow us at Spotify / Apple Music / or whichever service you use. ❤️ our songs & add to your playlists.
***We love streaming. Yes, it pays fractions of a cent, but those fractions add up and keep us making music,
SO PLEASE STREAM OUR MUSIC !!
• Tell your friends about our songs via social media, email, and blog
• Paste in this link so they can listen on any platform: song.link/blacklab
• Sign the email list so we can send you occasional but important info.
• Please keep listening to Black Lab. We love you.
Merch
Tons of great stuff in the shop — pick your style, materials, colors, and size.
Paul Durham & Black Lab
For licensing please contact Secret Road
For booking public shows or house concerts contact
For occasional / important updates please sign the email list
Paul is playing live in person & online
I may be down the street at your local club or I may be in your living room, just you and me (and a bunch of other fans in the chat), playing songs, telling stories, making requests, and keeping this train on the tracks.
Be sure to sign the email list and stay tuned for the next show!
Bio
Singer-songwriter Paul Durham started the San Francisco alt.pop.rock band Black Lab in 1997 and released its critically acclaimed debut Your Body Above Me on Geffen Records. Following a national tour, two charting singles (‘Wash it Away’ and ‘Time Ago’), hot MTV action, tons of soundtracks, and way too many trashed hotel rooms, the band split up.
After signing with Epic Records in 2000, Durham started a new chapter of Black Lab with LA guitarist/programmer Andy Ellis. The band’s second album, See the Sun, featured ‘Learn to Crawl’ from Sony Pictures’ Spider-Man soundtrack.
After leaving Epic, the band established a strong web presence with Blacklabworld.com. More music followed including Passion Leaves a Trace, Technologie, Give Us Sugar, Two Strangers, A Raven Has My Heart, A New World, an unplugged record, a live acoustic DVD/CD collection, a set of electronica instrumentals, and the latest singles, "In A Moment" and “Changes,” all available for download at Bandcamp and iTunes plus the streaming services.
Since completing an $80,000 crowdfunding campaign last fall, Paul has finished his debut solo collection, which is out now and streaming everywhere. To hear This Sweet Life, buy a CD, hear Paul play live in person & online, please head over to pauldurham.com.
The band has had much success leveraging its independent status through social media campaigns (”Bumrush the Charts”), YouTube stunts (the “Transformers” cover), and a Kickstarter for A Raven Has My Heart — all due to the passion and long-term commitment of its fans.
Black Lab songs can be found in major films, trailers, TV shows and commercials, including Permanent Midnight, Varsity Blues, The Covenant, Pretty Little Liars, House MD, Banshee, The Shield, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, What I Like About You, Flashpoint, Honda, GM, and dozens of others.
Please sign the email list to receive occasional updates.