It’s been a monster year for Josh Ostrander, aka Mondo Cozmo. The year started out incredibly well, as his single, “Shine”, rocketed to #1 on Billboard’s Adult Alternative chart in January. To keep that momentum going, the band is hitting the festival circuit this summer, and that includes a July 9th stop at the BMO Harris Pavilion as part of Summerfest, opening for The Shins. We caught up with Ostrander to get to know him a little better:

 

B&E:  For those that haven’t heard of Mondo Cozmo, describe the band’s sound:

JO: Rock n roll as recorded in a guest bedroom.

B&E: “Shine” has been doing incredibly well. When can we expect a full Mondo Cozmo album?

JO: Aug 4th. The day we play Lollapalooza

B&E:  Have you ever been able to play Milwaukee before, either as Mondo Cozmo or in one of your previous projects?

JO: I am so excited to say I have never played Milwaukee. This will be a first for me. Or maybe I did play, but just had too much to drink and can’t remember.

B&E: When you play big festivals like this, do you ever get to go out and experience the festival?

JO: Sometimes. This year has been kind of insane for us. Sometimes we need to leave right after we play. My favorite part of this whole thing is seeing other bands do their thing.

B&E: We always like a good tour story. What’s the craziest thing that’s happened to you on the road with any of your bands?

JO: We played Bonnaroo last week, and we had like a thousand photos come in. Amazing show, 15,000 people in front of us singing along. And in every photo there is this fully nude dude jumping up and down in the front row.

B&E: Lastly, you’re playing Milwaukee. Do you have a beer of choice when you’re in town?

JO: Whatever’s cold.