WBRU Dunkin’ Donuts Summer Concert Series Artist #5: The Mowgli’s

Listen to Los Angeles, California’s The Mowgli’s talk, and you’ll hear words like universal love, harmony, and higher consciousness. But these eight (!!) guys and gals aren’t simply dishing out tips for spiritual enlightenment, they’re crooning them over rockin’ indie-folk dance ballads. Most of the group grew up attending the same elementary school and jamming in the same basements in Calabasas, California, and their octet was filled out by a few midwestern friends. If the name rings a bell, it’s because they pulled it from Mowgli, protagonist of the Jungle Book. Channeling this sort of childhood joy, The Mowgli’s self-released their debut Sound the Drum in 2012. Since then, they have put out another EP Love’s Not Dead, and on June 18th they dropped their major label debut called Waiting for the Dawn. Of utmost importance to the band is collaboration–each of the eight members (Dave, Colin, Katie, Josh, Matthew, Spencer, Michael, and Andy) plays multiple instruments and contributes to their songwriting. Don’t expect to be left out yourself: The Mowgli’s liken their shows to a big house party, and despite having more band members than I have fingers (lost 3 in an unfortunate chihuahua confrontation), there’s a good chance you’ll be invited on stage to jump around with them. Although they’ve grown up in the southern Cali community, recently The Mowgli’s have been taking the world by (loving) storm. In January, they put up a video for “San Francisco” where they spread love on the city streets faster even than gossip about Kim and Kanye’s baby. This spring, they have been touring with other BRU bands such as Family of the Year and The 1975, and are playing festivals all summer long before heading out on tour with Walk The Moon. Friday is looking to be sunny and warm, so don’t miss out on the chance to see the shining faces of The Mowgli’s at Waterplace Park downtown. Show is at 7:30 but get there early to snag yourself a nice grass spot! Here’s The Mowgli’s crazy video for “San Francisco”: