Mongooz And The Magnet
vocals, guitar Magnus Måløy
vocals, double bass Ian O'Sullivan
vocals, drums Gergő Háló
Mongooz And The Magnet, founded in Pécs in 2014, are possibly the most multicultural band in Hungary. There are few groups in the country where two thirds of the members are foriegn citizens. Mongooz, formed by three medical students, are one such group. The modern blue, soul, funk and rock music of the Norwegan, Irish and Hungarian trio has made a splash not just in Hungary but across the world. They will bring a mature sound and plenty of followers to Müpa Budapest in their quest to build a bridge between people of different nations.
The Norwegian Magnus Måløy and Irishman Ian O'Sullivan met while studying medicine at the University of Pécs. After jamming together, they fast became friends and founded Mongooz And The Magnet, building up a fanbase over the past six years with their hot-groove blue-rock. They have also built up a following outside Hungary thanks to a host of appearances across Europe, and have even travelled to Asia, performing at the DMZ Peace Train Festival on the border between North and South Korea. While in recent years they have mainly focused on playing concerts, have had to change drummer twice and Magnus also became a father, they returned in 2019 with some new songs, stronger than ever before. It was clear that they were taking the new recordings seriously when they were joined by producer Dani Castelar, who has worked with an array of world stars (Paolo Nutini, REM, Snow Patrol) and clearly sees something special in them. The title of their record, people═people, contains the symbol of equality that also represents a bridge between people. Their new songs tackle the parent-child relationship, contact with love ones and also the extent to which we are determined by our relationships. Their live performances are characterised by that same sincere human link.