Flashlight Tag is a quirky, pop-rock band from Richmond, Virginia. The group features Brian Phelps on guitar, Justin Laughter on vocals, Sam Bennett on keys, Brian Durrett on bass, and Lee Brooks on drums. A combination of The Muppets Take Manhattan and Big Trouble in Little China, Laughter’s kermitesque persona masterfully balances Phelps’ effortless embrace of Kurt Russellian swagger and irreverent charisma. Attendance of Todd Snider, The Jesus Lizard, Pavement, and Toad the Wet Sprocket fans is a must. 

Their new album Don’t Blink is a masterpiece from start to finish. With strong vocals, dreamy harmonies, and perfectly crafted instrumentation, Flashlight Tag is on the way to becoming your favorite discovery in the New Year. Swirling guitars and a seductive rhythm take center stage as the band crafts an album that is bold from beginning to end; all while creating a sound they are passionate about.

What can you share with readers about your latest release?

Don’t Blink is inspired by relationships and the various iterations of love we experience throughout life. The search for a partner, trials and tribulations along the way, and the acknowledgement that one day we will all return to dust.  All we have is each other.  Don’t take life or love for granted.

How does this project compare with your other projects you had in the
past? What about this project makes you most proud? Was there a specific goal you were trying to accomplish with this release?

This is Flashlight Tag’s first album with the entire band (Brian Phelps – Guitar, Justin Laughter, Vocals/Guitar, Sam Bennett – Keys, Lee Brooks – Drums, and Brian Durrett – Bass). Unlike our past efforts with outside guests, this album is entirely homegrown. Justin wrote all the songs. Only members of the immediate group performed on the recordings. The band produced the album, and Sam Bennett engineered, mixed, and mastered the recording at his studio – LBL Recording. We love collaboration with third-party producers and labels, but this one is/was for us.

What inspires you to create music? What motivates you to keep going?

Life is hard enough being who you are much less who you aren’t. We are musicians, so we create music. It’s not a choice. It is a necessity.  All of us are fortunate to play music, share our art, and build our friends and musical family. 

If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown
– who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a
link so readers can check them out.

Bruce Hornsby. His unrelenting curiosity and unbounded musical journey is inspiring. To learn more about his creative process by working together would be a thrill.

What was the last song you listened to? Favorite all-time bands/artists?

The Magnetic Fields – The Book of Love

Bruce Hornsby, Elliott Smith, Aimee Mann, The Decemberists, Wilco, Clutch, GWAR, John Hiatt, St. Vincent, The Band, Josh Ritter

Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?

Instagram: @flashlighttagmusic

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0PijQq5pZp7wGKgaySeI0A?si=ZLyPQdQdS8mS3h3cldN4Gg

iTunes: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/flashlight-tag/744749947 

Website: https://flashlighttagmusic.com 

I really appreciate your time. Is there anything you’d like to share before
we sign off?

Members of Flashlight Tag originate from the Commonwealth of Virginia. Most of us are from Chester, Virginia (the suburbs of Richmond, Virginia), but geographically (and in some ways culturally) closer to the Tri-Cities (Hopewell, Petersburg, and Colonial Heights). These are blue collar cities with rural counties a stone’s throw away. Music was important in all our lives, some members first learning from/listening to great grandparents and others first experiencing music at church. Virginia has its fair share of music heroes and inspirations from the Carter Family to Ella Fitzgerald to Bruce Hornsby to GWAR to Sparklehorse to D’Angelo. It’s in our blood.

Thank you for the opportunity to help share our music.