Joel Roberts, a.k.a. GoLab, got his start in the local music scene playing bars in Bowling Green while still in high school. He relocated to Toledo in 2002, when he began making electronic punk music with the legendary local group Stylex. After Stylex disbanded in 2006, Roberts shifted his focus to his solo project GoLab, concentrating on creating tight-knit, catchy synth-pop music. GoLab’s most recent album, “Time Out,” was released through bandcamp.com, where it can be streamed for free. City Paper talked with Roberts about the album, the challenges of performing his music live and GoLab’s future.
When did GoLab start and what was your original inspiration for the project?
I’ve been making music since 1996, and I started using the name GoLab in ’97. The concept has always been to experiment with keyboards and make crazy sounds. Eventually, I started trying to record more “pop-y” music, and it was probably around 2006 when I figured out my sound and started performing live.
Have you always been making synthesizer -based electronic music? What were your musical roots and first influences?
I was into heavier guitar stuff when I first started. In 1994, I opened up for a band called Brainiac, from Dayton, Ohio. They were the first band I ever heard that just went crazy with the synthesizer, and it kind up opened up my eyes to the instruments possibilities. I’ve been chasing the synthesizer dragon ever since! [laughs]
What are the main keyboards you use when you record GoLab material?
I play a Roland System 100-M Analog synth as well as an ARP Odyssey. I also use a Roland SH-101, which is the one I use when I play live.
Do you ever use MIDI voices or MIDI controllers?
On this album, I didn’t use much MIDI at all—nearly everything is done with analog synth. There is only one track on the album that uses any MIDI at all. The analog is more fun for me to play, and I think it helps me create organic and fun musical ideas.
How do you manage to perform GoLab songs live with only analog synths? There are obviously many layers of keyboards on each of your songs.
When I play live, I focus primarily on just giving a high-energy show. I perform with a live drummer, named Jeff Loose, although he didn’t record on the album. I work the bare bones skeletons of my songs into a sampler, play the track back through the sampler while [Loose] plays drums, and I’ll play lead lines on my Roland while singing.
What are your favorite current bands?
The only band I really get excited about lately is Phoenix—all of their stuff is great. I guess GoLab’s sound is most often compared to LCD Soundsystem, but I don’t actually listen to their stuff at all.
Any shows coming up in the Toledo area?
Saturday, March 29 at Frankie’s. That’s really exciting because I am opening for Vertical Scratchers, who features a former member of Braniac. So it’s all full circle. [laughs]
Looking to the future, do see you GoLab as more of a studio or live band?
I’m focusing on the studio aspect. In a live setting, I am really just taking my studio work and seeing what I can do with it. I have two little kids, that are 2 and 5 years old, so I like to stay home and stay in the area so I can be with them. My touring days are on hiatus for a while.
GoLab opens for Vertical Scratchers, Saturday, March 29, at Frankie's Inner City. 9pm. $10. 308 Main St. 419-693-5300. frankiesinnercity.com. To listen to GoLab’s new album,
visit golab.bandcamp.com.
