// Who now?
We’re Mongrel State, a Rock n’ Roll/Alt-Americana four-piece from Dublin.
// Listen How?
Website
Soundcloud
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
// You guys have been working with Gavin Glass on some tracks – tell us more!
Yeah! The album’s been in the bag a wee while now. Gavin is amazing, both as a musician and as a songwriter, but as a producer he’s off the scale. We were already totally psyched about the songs before we went in to Orphan, and by the time we were done we were on a total high.
We’re gonna be launching it next January, I can’t tell you how hard it’s been to hold our horses till we can show it to everyone, but you know yourself, these things have got to be done right!
// GoldenPlec premiered the video for your debut single How Many Times, any more videos planned soon?
Most definitely, YES! We’re in pre-production now for the next one, most likely it’ll come out end of October or so.
// What’s the weirdest gig you’ve ever played?
Well, one that I remember for being distinctly disconcerting, from my days before Mongrel State, was when I was playing with a Brazilian Folk-music band.
We did a gig in Gort, Co. Galway, which, I don’t know if you know, at one point in the early 2000’s had a population of something like 95% Brazilian. Totally weird – you just drive down the road and suddenly its like you’re in a different country
I exaggerate, of course, but I did find myself doing a double-take once or twice and then thinking “no, I definitely am still in Ireland!”
// Any pre-gig rituals that you guys indulge in?
Claudio has a little plastic figurine of a monkey that he brings to every gig to guard his amp!
I don’t know if it counts as a ritual but I usually drive around before each gig trying to find a parking space. That usually gets me riled up enough!
// Who are your favourite Irish artists at the moment?
Gavin’s new album is pretty tasty. Lisa O’Neill tends to feature a lot when Sebastian gets to pick the in-car music. I’m waiting with baited breath for the new Cujo Family album. And Kingston, a young band from Kilkenny, who are going to be huge.
// The last text message you sent is your next album title. What is it?
“No, I only took the one on the left.”
// Send us a photo and explain…
This was taken last weekend, in the Burren. We hadn’t planned to go to the Burren, but my phone decided it would be nice and took us on a mad detour there on the way to Doolin Craft Beer Festival (confirming to me once and for all that a certain maps app is a pile of sh*te).
Note the looks of bemusement on our faces! The place is in fact amazing, though, in fairness.
// You can only hear one song for the rest of your life – what is it?
Going Down by Freddie King. The baaaadddessst rhythm section I’ve ever heard, and when Freddie kicks into his first solo it almost clean takes your head off!
// The one song that you always bust out at a house party?
Sir Duke. Always the first song of my DJ set. If that don’t get them I know I’ve got a tough crowd on my hands!