Tiger Mendoza is the exciting brainchild of Ian De Quadros, a producer who thrives on collaboration and crafting a sound that’s hard to categorize.
The project first began when Ian, fresh off a couple of other musical ventures, heard Helena singing at a friend’s party. Struck by her talent, they started working on songs together, which led to the very first Tiger Mendoza release: “The Hope Sick EP” in September 2009. This debut blended lo-fi pop with compelling breaks and electronica, setting the stage for what was to come.
Since those early days, Tiger Mendoza has transformed from a traditional band structure into an evolving collective of brilliant collaborators, all cantered around Ian. This flexible approach allows Ian to constantly learn and experiment with other musicians while maintaining the core Tiger Mendoza identity.
The result is a project that truly defies genre! Ian frequently works with guests like Asher Dust, David Griffiths (ex-Witches, Eeblee), Emma Hunter, Ian Mitchell (Little Red / Barrelhaus), and Kate Herridge (Ocean Ruins / Dakorra).
Their latest project was the NOT A GAME album — a collection of songs aiming to process the current technical landscape through the medium of classic C64 games.
L-R: Asher Dust, Helena, Ian, Half Decent, Dave Griffiths, Luke Allmond, Dan Clear
For Ian, the live stage is just as important as the studio. He doesn’t treat his live shows like simple karaoke sessions; instead, he uses them to build upon and enhance the original tracks, delivering a truly unique and dynamic experience.
The live line-up is as flexible as the studio roster, ranging from solo performances to full band arrangements. Regulars include Dan Clear on guitar and Tom Martin on live visuals, alongside a revolving cast of talented friends like Mila Todd and Octavia Freud.
Beyond his own releases, Ian is an in-demand producer and remixer for other artists. His remixing credits are impressive, including work for big names like Public Enemy, DJ Shadow, Stornoway, and many others such as Half Decent, Lucy Leave, BreezeWax, and Julia Meijer.
