MONDO FREAKS SELF TITLED DEBUT ALBUM OUT NOW
MELBOURNE LAUNCH DEC 12TH
“PUMPED! LIVE AT THE QUADRAPHONIC CLUB” VIDEO RELEASED
The long awaited debut album from the Melbourne 10 piece Boogie / Funk outfit Mondo Freaks is finally ready for the world, released on their own Every Star Records. It rounds out their breakthrough 2025 with a run of five on point singles that started in January with “Bells Are Ringing” (which was also remixed by Harvey Sutherland) and proceeded to gain fans and radio play worldwide with “Won’t You Decide”, “Turn This Love Around”, “I’m A Fool” and “Put Your Hand In My Hand”. The final video in their ‘Live At The Quadraphonic Club’ series of studio performances is of their toughest track yet. “Pumped!” is also their first track to feature Melbourne R’n’B cornerstone Francisco Tavares flexing on lead vocals.
The album will be launched in their hometown of Melbourne on December 12th at Howler in Brunswick. Special guests are masters of vintage Afro Disco and Psychedelic Boogie, Wrong Way Up and helping turn the night well and truly into a party, Northside Records DJs will be playing through the night.
Whether curating legendary RnB nights, singing with his brother in his family band, Tavares Bros (who are related to the legendary ‘70s Soul group Tavares that had a massive hit with “Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel”) or blessing us through Melbourne institution, Gospel Sundays, Cisco is a true stalwart of Melbourne’s RnB, and club scene.
“Graeme and I had a couple of attempts at writing something to announce Cisco through our Mondo/Every Star world,” recalls Mondos bassist Luke Hodgson, who leads the band alongside drummer Graeme Pogson. “As Melbournites cooped up during the pandemic, we all spent way too much time staring into our phones gawking at other peoples lives. It was clear Francisco was using his luxury time outside to not only put in the mental work but also working hard on the physical side to better himself. Through this IG stalking, the concept for Pumped! was born.”
After getting an almost complete instrumental idea together that was the perfect starting point, they hurried it over to Mondos vocalist / keyboardist Aaron Mendoza, “along with a concept and some screenshots of Cisco flexing in the park!” added Hodgson. The final result is a playful nod to the fun and toughness of Cameo, Kleeer and Steve Arrington. Humorous, yet exuding authenticity that only Francisco Tavares can provide.
Formed by the rhythm section of in demand session bassist Hodgson and drummer Pogson (GL, The Bamboos) who were also both long time players with Harvey Sutherland, Mondo Freaks are the next artist ready to break out internationally from the world renowned Melbourne Soul scene, which has acts currently riding high like Hiatus Kaiyote, Glass Beams and Surprise Chef.
Mondo Freaks is an album that is meant to be heard on vinyl, with many of the tracks flowing into one another, recreating the non-stop energy of their acclaimed live show. Inspired by the crisp Funk and R’n’B sounds of the late ’70s and early ’80s as it eased out of Disco, Mondo Freaks stand apart with their live instrumentation and a focus on vocals and great songwriting. Creating something beyond just instrumental grooves their sound transcends mere homage and without any knowing winks, Mondo Freaks breathe life into a timeless sound and make it feel more relevant than ever.
The self-titled album was produced by Hodgson and Pogson but was mixed by multi Grammy winner Michael Brauer who is known for working on recordings by the likes of Coldplay, Springsteen, Dylan, McCartney and Rolling Stones. But Mondos reminded him of the Rn’B records he started out working on in the late ’70s / early ’80s, which had huge influences on the band such as Change, B.B. & Q. Band,Was (Not Was), Gwen Guthrie, Grace Jones, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Pleasure, Cheryl Lynn, Cerrone, Jones Girls, Kid Creole, Teddy Pendegrass, Morris Day and many more.
Gathering some of the finest musicians from Melbourne’s Soul scene, the band include a roster of five incredible vocalists including Jade MacRae, Susie Goble, Francisco Tavares, Aaron Mendoza and Jason Heerah (with Aaron and Jason both formerly in Electric Empire). Filling out a line up stacked with talent are James Bowers on synth, Javier Fredes on percussion and Danny Dharumasena along with Gillan Gregory on guitar.
Formed originally as a concept band, equipped with an ever-evolving setlist of late ’70s and early ’80s Funk classics, their journey has seen them invited to be the backing band for the Australian tours of such US Soul Music luminaries as Leroy Burgess (the producer and artist behind Boogie and Disco favourites Black Ivory, Logg, Aleem, Inner Life, and Universal Robot Band) and the iconic Evelyn “Champagne” King.
The album has been a true labour of love for all members of Mondo Freaks, stretching over a long period. It was recorded and put together in the middle of the painful lockdown that Melbourne suffered but the result was a true vindication of passion, perseverance, talent and friendship. Luke Hodgson cast his mind back to recall how it came together.
“Living in Melbourne/Naarm, we experienced some of the longest lockdown periods in the world. By mid 2021, maybe some gigs were happening? Or tour dates were being floated, I can’t quite remember. But mostly, anything pencilled into the calendar was canned. After 4 straight lockdowns, a magic window was clear, and we nabbed 2 weeks at Sing Sing Studios to track. A thrill for everyone, to be honest: playing music live with our mates, in our favourite old school way; everyone in the one room, reacting to each other, capturing the moment, committing to tape.
Eventually I reached out to mixing hero Michael Brauer to work on the record and sent him the first few songs. One morning, I woke up to an email: “Good lord, I love these songs. I’ve been waiting for years to mix music that brings me back to some of my happiest days mixing pop R&B at MediaSound Thank you”. Tick of approval, he could feel the soul in our stuff!!
With long standing friendships, we (all Mondos) have been in different bands, recorded on so many sessions and played countless shows together in all sorts of combinations. There’s a deep musical connection here. After the blood sweat and tears of the album process, when I listen to the record, all I hear is the spirit. The fun, love & joy we managed to bottle.”
MONDO FREAKS ‘MONDO FREAKS’
OUT NOW (LP/DIG) ON EVERY STAR RECORDS
ORDER FROM www.mondo-freaks.bandcamp.com
Tracklist
1. Turn This Love Around
2. Bells Are Ringing
3. Put Your Hand In My Hand
4. All Night
5. I’m A Fool
6. Pumped!
7. Won’t You Decide
8. Shifting Sands
Mondo Freaks Album Launch Party at Howler, Brunswick
Friday, Dec 12th w/ special guests Wrong Way Up & Northside DJs
Tickets on sale now – tickets + info
Follow Mondo Freaks
Bandcamp / Instagram / Spotify / Apple Music / Youtube / Facebook / Linktree
