Idiot Mambo
Idiot Mambo started as a bedroom project from primary songwriters Benji Davis and Leah G. Their sophomore record, Shoot the Star, is a kaleidoscopic homage to their eclectic influences, from punky pop and thrift-store glam to country sparkle. Joined by Jared Brey, Dan Timlin, and Dan Angel whose drumming and engineering prowess laid the foundation for a newer, more polished sound. The band embraced experimentation, layering synthesizers, pedal steel, and even a pill bottle shaker to create a sound that’s both raw and meticulously crafted. “Our first studio session features Dan Angel on drums and Jared on bass.” says Benji “ We have one rehearsal prior. Dan learns the tunes, lays down amazing rhythms and engineers the session, living up to his reputation as the hardest working man in showbusiness. “
Lyrically, Shoot the Star is a wild ride through themes of insomnia, existential musings, and partying through the chaos. “The record has wreckless homages to all sorts of stuff.” says Benji. Several songs on the album were written in collaboration with spoken word poet Colbert Root who joins the band live as a theatrically effective orator. Tracks like “Tailchase” and “Deathdriver” explore failure and rebirth, while “Bop Til U Drop” and “Light Bulbs” deliver infectious, off-kilter energy. With its reckless charm and genre-defying spirit, Shoot the Star is a record for the nowhere people. Idiot Mambo is here to remind you that rock and roll is alive, weird, and undeniably fun.
Idiot Mambo’s debut “Flamingo In Limbo” showcases their songwriting range from Indie pop earworm “b tru 2 ur st8” to the subtle Nilsson-eque “Love Thyself” and “Omnibus” which does a 180 into 90’s style club beats. Throughout Flamingo In Limbo Benji and Leah make it abundantly clear just how skilled they are at crafting catchy inspired tunes. Benji describes his production process.”On occasion I’ll write out a song fully on a guitar and then build around it. More often, I’ll start with a snippet of a melody or something and get that germ into my computer. Then I’ll flesh out rhythm, instrumentation, vocals, and evolve it into something I can call ‘done’. I must’ve been feeling nostalgic about the keyboards I messed around with as a kid because I constructed most of the beats for this tape using Casio ‘Super Drums’. It’s janky, but it feels like home. The whole project is sort of like a demo tape that I got to make with my 7 year old self.”
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Booking: circlemachine[at]gmail.com
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PRESS
“The addition of a full band doesn’t result in any bloating from Idiot Mambo–in fact, the ten songs of Shoot the Star, at a clean 22 minutes, are a significantly shorter trip than Flamingo in Limbo was. It’s plenty of time for Idiot Mambo to present their ideas fully, though–surreal yet crystal-clear power pop songs like “Lockjaw” and “Lightbulbs” both only need two minutes (if that) to firmly lodge their way into one’s head. Shoot the Star is limber enough to easily swing down towards the worlds of breezy folk rock and minimal country balladry with “Tailchase” and “Deathdriver”, respectively–they’re streamlined in this setup, but it’s no less polished and pop-focused than some of the more developed songs like the new wave-y riff rock of “Pillowcase” (just trust me on this one, it rocks) and the somewhat hazy synth-y indie pop of “R U Dumb”. It’s one of the most “immediate” records I’ve heard from the frequently experimental-leaning Strange Mono’s discography thus far, but there’s a studied, “pop music as art” approach to Idiot Mambo’s work that makes it make some sense in the context of their label’s roster. Not that any hints or whispers of a dreaded “high-concept” version of indie pop music impact Shoot the Star’s technicolor core, though. “- Rosy Overdrive
“Some songs on this album don’t really sound like anything else on the album. Idiot Mambo try on many different sounds here. “Hot Potato” sounds like Tony Jay/Cindy Lee. “Deathdriver” sounds like country – kind in the vein of R.W. Hedges. “R U Dumb” sounds like AC/DC covered by an indie/synth band….a lot of these songs have a rock/pop sound reminiscent of The Who.” – Bandcamp Snoop
“There are eleven tracks on this album and every single one of them portrays a slightly altered style, but at the same time, is very much an Idiot Mambo manifestation. Whether you need a vibe for a steamy summer drive, or some background music on a gloomy, rainy afternoon, ‘Flamingo In Limbo’ is a sure recommendation in order to facilitate an enlightened mood.” – The Dungeon In Deep Space
“Indie Outfit Idiot Mambo Share Charming New Single” – Living Life Fearless