The Tango Saloon


The Tango Saloon is an Australian experimental tango band from Sydney, Australia. Their self-titled debut, a "tango-flavored album with a twist of spaghetti western", was released in 2006 by Ipecac Recordings, the American record label run by Mike Patton and Greg Werckman. It was described by Greg Prato of AllMusic as "a musical breath of fresh air in the often foul-smelling state of modern popular music". Three albums have followed, Transylvania, Shadows & Fog and Suspicion featuring vocalist Elana Stone. In June 2007, the band was seen supporting Ipecac label-mates Peeping Tom on the East-coast leg of their Australian tour. Other notable performances include support for Mondo Cane at Sydney Festival 2012, and for Marc Ribot in 2015.

Band members

The Tango Saloon's lineup includes a number of notable musicians, including drummer Danny Heifetz from Mr. Bungle and Secret Chiefs 3. Bandleader Julian Curwin plays on occasion in Monsieur Camembert, along with accordionist Marcello Maio and double bassist Mark Harris. Band members' other projects include Darth Vegas, Hermitude, Marsala and The Fantastic Terrific Munkle. Transylvania also features a guest vocal from Mike Patton on the track Dracula Cha Cha.
The list of members:
Live band:
Other musicians/guests:
In 2010, band leader Julian Curwin developed The Mango Balloon, a stripped-back chamber version of The Tango Saloon, with a lighter sound adding lounge, exotica and continental jazz to the larger band’s tango/western blend. Aside from six members from The Tango Saloon, the recordings also feature special guests, bringing their own distinct flavour to the music – The Mango Balloon: Volume 1 Eddie Bronson on clarinets, Volume 2 Brian Campeau on vocals and guitar, Volume 3 Shenzo Gregorio on viola, and Volume 4 Matt McMahon on Rhodes electric piano.

Discography

The Tango Saloon
The Mango Balloon