thrust_lab

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About Thrust Lab

Thrust Lab, Forest Thrust Lab, Blackdrop Thrust Lab, Shrubs Thrust Lab, Thermal Thrust Lab, Vine
Thrust Lab, Forest Thumb Thrust Lab, Blackdrop Thumb Thrust Lab, Shrubs Thumb Thrust Lab, Thermal Thumb Thrust Lab, Vine Thumb

All photos by Joyce Kim

Thrust Lab is a Baltimore-based instrumental electronic rock duo formed by Benjamin J.A. Domanico and Samuel N. Ortiz-Payero in the fall of 2004.

Their music has been compared by Pitchfork Media to the likes of Vangelis, Giorgio Morodor, Weather Report and M83. Live drums and bass carry most of the songs' force, yet Thrust Lab's epic prog-rock inspired electronic sounds land gently between Johann Johannssen's delicate laptop pop and Sonic The Hedgehog's rich and dynamic theme music.

While Thrust Lab's earlier work gives a nod to lo-fi noise pop artist Ariel Pink and 8-bit music, their more recent work has been conceived on a much grander scale. Thrust Lab channels Vangelis' ominous and foreboding Blade Runner soundtrack, Trans Am's humorous instrumental deviation and combination of live and electronic percussion, and Yellow Magic Orchestra's cheerful prog-rock/synth-pop sound. Thrust Lab's live show is comprised of live drums, electronic drum pads, bass guitar, keyboard, looping pedals, and a computer.

Discography

Wind Breaker 2008

Wind Breaker
  1. Groutcho
  2. Nasty Horror
  3. Durkey
  4. Tenth Thousandth
  5. Wind Breaker

Polterparty 2006

Polterparty
  1. Galactic Thunder Mount
  2. Dance Sweet Dracula
  3. Van Halen Solo
  4. Ghostparties
  5. Nasty Horror
  6. Beethoven's
  7. Liquid Latino
  8. Tokyo Dub Plates
  9. 10,000% Blast-Off

Other Albums

A Fiery Blast of
Oxygen and Gas 2005

Mark Bent the
Pitches For Us 2004

Little Pies for Sunrise 2004

Mysteriously Unreleased 2004

Other Tracks

The Problem Is 2008

Live @ The Talking Head 2008

  1. Blacklights
  2. Biggie
  3. Grautcho
  4. Durkey
  5. Frank

Stadium Pebbles 2007

  • Album: '07 Wintry Mix
  • Label: Catatac Magazine
  • Listen   →
  • Download: mp3

Biggie / Gimme the Loot 2006

  • Listen   →
  • Download: mp3

Endless Gratitude

Joyce Kim

Played synth in Thrust Lab in 2003-2004. Recorded synth tracks on Wind Breaker. Shot Thrust Lab's promotional photos.

jkjkjk.net

Kirsten Lepore

Played synth in Thrust Lab in 2002-2003.

kirstenlepore.com

Mark Brown

Booked many Thrust Lab shows and did amazing projections for their Wind Breaker tour. Also made the music video for Durkey.

markcharlesbrown.com

Peter Quinn

Helped produce and distribute Wind Breaker.

creativecapitalism.net

Jake Mauer

Live photography and videography.

jakemauer.com

Katie Langer

Live photography.

Contact

Any questions, requests, or anything else please direct to ben@domanico.net.