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Interview with
LUKE HODGSON
and
GRAEME POGSON
from
MONDO FREAKS

(20th November 2025)

Interview by Dave Bruce

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Watch the whole interview below:

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MONDO FREAKS are back: A decade in the making 

When a band releases a single in 2016… and then absolutely nothing for nine years, people tend to have questions.

When that band has ten members, all of whom are respected, in-demand musicians… you have even more questions.

And when that band finally resurfaces with a full album in 2024 after forming in 2009, well—now you definitely want answers.

So I sat down with Luke Hodgson and Graeme Pogson, founding members of Melbourne’s groove-laden collective MONDO FREAKS, to unpack the long road to their long-awaited debut record, their hilariously chaotic journey, and their upcoming launch show at Howler, Brunswick – December 12.

The Beginning… and a whole lot of delays

Most bands start as originals acts who eventually slip in a cover or two.
Mondo Freaks did the opposite.

“We actually started as a cover band,” Luke laughs. “We were all session players. We loved late 70s and early 80s funk, disco, boogie… and the line-ups back then were huge. Two guitars, two keyboards, multiple singers, percussion… sometimes strings and horns. We didn’t go that far, but ten members was enough.”

Even back in 2009 they were tinkering with originals, but life—busy musician life—kept stepping in.
Graeme’s projects (including his acclaimed duo GL) were taking off.
Luke was touring with, well… everyone.
Both were juggling big projects like The Bamboos and Harvey Sutherland.

“We’re good at juggling,” Graeme says. “But sometimes something has to wait its turn. Mondo Freaks was always the thing we loved, but never the main thing.”

In 2016, their single “Love Rain Down” finally emerged—thanks only to a label compilation that needed a track.

“And then,” Luke chuckles, “we disappeared again.”

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The Sound: A Funk & Boogie Love Letter

If you’re new to Mondo Freaks, their sound sits firmly in what they call funk and boogie.

“Late 70s, early 80s… pre-sequencing,” Luke says. “We love Chic, Zapp, Cameo, Change, SOS Band. This album is our love letter to that moment.”

While the 2016 single was more electronic—Lindrum drum machine, synth bass mixed with slap bass—the album took a more organic approach.

“We recorded all together, live, in a room at Sing Sing,” Graeme explains. “Ten people. One session. It was chaos. And brilliant.”

Sing Sing, of course, is no longer with us.

“Who could afford it anyway?” Luke jokes.

The Album: The Signature Tracks

Their long-gestating debut features eight tracks of groove-drenched, party-ready funk, each powered by one of the band’s five vocalists.

Asked which tracks you should hear first if you only have 10 minutes, Luke picks:

“Won’t You Decide” – featuring keyboardist/vocalist Aaron Mendoza

“Turn This Love Around” – featuring powerhouse vocalist Jade MacRae

Every member has a different favourite, but the band insists they love them all. Considering how long it took to get them out, that feels fair.

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The Live Show: December 12 at Howler

After two release shows earlier this year, Mondo Freaks are finally celebrating the full album with a headline launch:

📍 Howler, Brunswick
📅 December 12, 2025

Expect a full-scale funk party.

Joining them:
Wrong Way Up – Afrobeat-electronica fusion
Northside Records DJs – spinning funk all night

“It’ll be a funk-centric party,” says Luke. “We’re excited. And exhausted. Organising a ten-piece band is… well… yeah.”

The Future of Mondo Freaks

Touring overseas? Probably not.

“Unless one of us got into crypto early and is now a billionaire,” Luke jokes.

But fans can expect more new music—and not in another 9–17 years.

“The seal is cracked,” Luke says. “The next record is already on the drawing board.”

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Quick Fire Round

To close the interview, we hit them with rapid-fire questions.

Craziest thing you’ve ever done?
Graeme: “Went on a last-minute blues cruise gig through Alaska.”
Luke: “Flew to LA for two days just to see Van Halen at the Hollywood Bowl… ended up being Eddie’s last gig.”

Topic you can talk about forever?
Graeme: “Baseball. Canadian baseball. Go Blue Jays.”
Luke: “Music. Get me going and I won’t stop.”

Favourite album?
Luke: Electric Ladyland – Jimi Hendrix
Graeme: Krystol – Gettin’ Ready (1984)

Favourite artist?
Luke: Prince
Graeme: Evelyn “Champagne” King (who Mondo Freaks actually backed on tour—twice)

Favourite place to visit?
Both: Japan

Favourite venue?
Luke: Howler
Graeme: The Night Cat (after 20 years of playing there)

Favourite drink?
Luke: “A crisp lager. Orion if I can get it.”

Tattoos?
Both: “Clean skins.”
(Luke: “But I’m very proud of my mullet.”)

Final Thoughts

Mondo Freaks aren’t your typical band.
They’re ten seasoned musicians with a shared love of funk, a chaotic calendar, a long history together, and an album that took fifteen years to find its way into the world.

But the result?
Worth every delay.

If you’re into live funk, proper musicianship, vintage-inspired grooves, or simply watching ten masters do their thing on one stage, don’t miss their album launch at Howler on December 12.

And do yourself a favour—spin the album.
It’s been a long time coming.

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Photo – Richard Clifford

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Follow Mondo Freaks
Bandcamp – Instagram – Spotify – Apple Music
Youtube – Facebook – Linktree

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Watch the whole interview below:

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Press Release 18th October 2025 (below) HERE

MONDO FREAKS
self-titled
debut album out now

Melbourne launch Dec 12th

“PUMPED! LIVE AT THE QUADRAPHONIC CLUB” video released

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AMNPLIFY – DB