The definition of a ‘mountebank’: a flamboyant deceiver; someone who attracts customers through tricks or joke. While the new folk-influenced quartet who go by that name certainly dont need to use deception to gain an audience, they are flamboyant and light-hearted, which shines through definitively in their music. Formed in the Summer of 2016 after other music projects fell through, Mountebank recently released their debut EP Mountebank: Live From Lake Wobegon, which straddles elements of outlaw country, post-pop, and garage rock. The glue holding this tapestry of influences together is the positivity and joviality found in the DNA of the group that makes their charm irresistible. Mountebank is on a tear, playing shows, writing new music, and forging ahead with their new project that doesn’t need tricks or gimmicks to gain new fans.
-Lee Ackerley