Mondo Cozmo @ Delmar Hall, St. Louis, MO

Words and photos by Duane Clawson

Well friends and neighbors, as usual, I’m running extremely behind with my descriptions and accounts of live music! So, let’s get caught up, shall we?

A couple of years back I was examining some new music on Spotify and came across this cat named Mondo Cozmo, aka Josh Ostrander. The name made me stop, the music made me listen! Avant Garde and brilliantly delicious describe this Philadelphia native’s sound. Mondo and his band were the perfect appetizer for the headliner, Airborne Toxic Event!

As live music continues to return to St. Louis, the ever-changing show review landscape continues to evolve. Unfortunately, I was only allowed to cover Cozmo’s first three songs, then I had to leave the building. Oh well it is what it is and as always, I will be happy for the opportunity! However, brief my time I did manage to hear the goodness that is Mondo Cozmo! And as a bonus, I got to hear “Electrify My Love” from his recently released album, This is For the Barbarians.

I also noticed Mr. Cozmo is not afraid to experiment with the machinery that makes mother music, as he works various dials on his pedalboard. All these strange noises are further amplified by Mondo’s red, white, and blue hollow-bodied Gretsch guitar. During an interview with Mainstreet Nashville he notes that Bruce Springsteen and legendary producer Butch Vig are fans of his eclectic sound. If those two 'kinda big deal', industry giants know your name, you’re doing something right!

When questioned about the content his latest album he explains it is a product of the Covid pandemic. The songs are an expression of the hopes and fears he experienced during the lockdown. Dylanesque lyrics stacked upon a soundscape comparable to the Flaming Lips fill this album from top to bottom. As always, I will highly recommend Mondo Cozmo’s music to anyone that is brave enough to have an open mind. A big thanks to Mondo Cozmo’s PR team and Delmar Hall for having MTC MAG in da house!

Photos of the show are below: