The Golden Strangers is the latest project from The Tango Saloon leader Julian Curwin.
The band follows somewhat in the footsteps of The Tango Saloon, though ultimately finds its way to a dive bar in a Tarantino film, choosing 45s from the jukebox and sharing a booth with Bowie and Morricone.
The music is realised with the expertise of Ollie Thorpe (pedal steel, vocals), Brendan Clark (bass) and Jamie Cameron (drums, percussion).
Visit the Events page to see The Golden Strangers next gig.
We’re very happy to announce that The Tango Saloon’s next gig (our first since 2015) will be April 4 at 107 Projects in Redfern. Playing for the monthly double-bill put on by Art As Catharsis. More info and tickets shortly…
Things have been a little quiet on the Tango Saloon front of late, however there is a very special release/launch coming up from Saloon wrangler Julian Curwin and Saloon crooner Jane Sheldon. Their new duo collaboration ‘Crossing’ falls somewhere between early music and folk song, with a dash of film score and world music thrown in for good measure. Official launch is June 1st at The Newsagency (74-76 Pyrmont Bridge Rd Annandale), with Showa 44 and Bonniesongs.
Meanwhile, new ideas are slowly bubbling for The Mango Balloon, and the band has two shows coming up at Gasoline Pony, a great little bar in Marrickville – June 22 in duo mode, and July 11 full band.
Next month, Romero Records will put on a very special event to celebrate 5 years in operation. It will centre around an album launch for The Mango Balloon: Volume 4 (featuring keyboardist extraordinaire Matt McMahon) and will also include surf rockers La Tarantella, and Micky Stu’s Magical Polymba Experience (aka Mick Stuart).
April 20th at Lazybones Lounge in Marrickville, join the party!
On September 15, Pigeon Laundry launch their debut album – for the uninitiated, this is the duo project of The Tango Saloon leader Julian Curwin and regular Tango Saloon/Mango Balloon guest Shenzo Gregorio. For the launch the pair will be joined by fellow Salooners Jess Ciampa, Sam Golding and John Hibbard, and supported by Diamond Duck.
Book ahead to avoid disappointment (and for cheaper tickets).
The band has also been releasing a series of promotional videos leading up to the launch, check them out in this playlist.
The Mango Balloon is currently recording its fourth album (imaginatively titled ‘Volume 4’), which will feature Matt McMahon. One of Australia’s finest pianists, Matt is known for playing a wide range of music with the likes of Vince Jones, Phil Slater and Joseph Tawadros, as well as his own ensembles.
The debut performance of this collaboration, and your first chance to hear these new pieces, will be July 31st at Django Bar.
Very excited to announce that The Mango Balloon is doing the support slot for US guitarist Marc Ribot’s first solo performance in Sydney. Known for his work with Tom Waits, Elvis Costello and John Zorn among countless others, Ribot has also released over 20 albums under his own name. August 9th at The Vanguard, more info here.
Romero Records is very happy to announce the brand new single for The Tango Saloon, ‘Don’t Close Your Eyes’ featuring vocalist Elana Stone. This is the second single to be released ahead of the band’s forthcoming fourth album, following on from last year’s ‘In Black And White’ (and its stunning video clip directed by Julian Shaw).
The official launch is June 5 at Venue 505 (280 Cleveland St Surry Hills), featuring Elana Stone, and supported by the inimitable gypsy punk trio Mr Bamboo. Book tickets.
Romero Records is very happy to announce the release of Volume 3 of Julian Curwin’s The Mango Balloon series. Developed in 2010 as a stripped-back version of The Tango Saloon, the smaller band has quickly taken on a life of its own.
Each recording has a special guest bringing their personality to the music, and on Volume 3 that guest is Shenzo Gregorio, best known for playing ‘stunt violin’ in his project Shenzo’s Electric Stunt Orchestra (essentially, he flies!). With The Mango Balloon, Shenzo plays viola, and keeps his feet firmly on the ground, though still manages to bring plenty of fireworks to the occasion.
Volume 3 is officially launched March 19 at Venue 505.
Hear a preview of a few tracks.
The Tango Saloon’s launch for the ‘In Black And White’ video has received an amazing review from John Shand for The Sydney Morning Herald! Some highlights:
“This, quite simply, is one of Australia’s best bands and yet as superb as the eight players and singer are, Julian Curwin’s brilliant compositions are the ultimate stars.
“Put this band on any stage anywhere in the world and the audience will be engrossed as well as amused.”
The Tango Saloon 