Tele's been part of Winnipeg's music scene for a few years now and have quickly become a household name. Chart Magazine describes them as "an epic fusion of ethereal keyboards and yearning vocals, Tele are a band best heard loud". They've toured the country extensively and are now working on new material and are slated for a cd release later this year. I caught up with Brendan Berg, the band's Bass player as he and his band mates prepare their trip to Toronto next week where they will be featured in an all Manitoba showcase. On April 16th, the Manitoba Music Showcase will present two other acts very much worth talking about also. Winnipeg's own one man show Oldfolks Home, who was recently a featured artist at cbcradio 3 starts the show at 9 pm. The Details with their cute indie pop will follow at 10pm and finally Tele at 11pm.
WHERE? The Rivoli on Queen St. West
WHEN? APRIL 16th
WHO? Oldfolks Home , The Details and Tele
- Tele, live in Winnipeg (March 09, Pascal Boisvert photo)
Here is my interview with Brendan Berg, Tele's bass player:
What has TELE been up to lately?
TELE spent a good chunk of last year on the road - close to three months, hitting both coasts twice. We wanted to try to establish the name in other cities, and get a feel for what the touring life is really like. Response was great, and the time spent was great in further establishing and solidifying our chemistry as a unit. Once the snow hit the ground we basically shut ourselves in and have been working on new material ever since.
Your sound has changed since the release of 2007's self titled debut EP. What happened? How do YOU describe your sound?
Yes, the sound is definitely a little different now, but it was a genuine evolution for us. There are songs on the album that are far different from most of the new songs, but there are also songs on the album that we feel really pointed in the direction that we've found ourselves taking. Also, the self-titled album was our first release, so there are songs on it which were written as far as two years before its release. We've all been through a fair bit as a band and as individuals in that time, so the change seems natural and inevitable to me. As far as our sound goes, we've always tried to avoid the sort of 'flavour of the month' kinds of sounds and maintain something that might be a little more timeless. Ours is an alternative rock sound with definite pop sensibilities.
What are the musical sources of inspiration behind TELE?
Our musical inspirations are numerous and span many genres. Individually we all obviously have our own many influences, but as a group, some of the discs that get a lot of play while we're all in the van together would be Radiohead, Queens of the Stone Age, Loney Dear, The National, Bjork, and any produced by Dr. Dre in the '90s!
- Brendan Berg (Pascal Boisvert photo)
Now, you guys were down in Austin a few weeks ago, What does it mean for a band like you
to make it down to SXSW? How did it go?
Austin was great, but it's such a debacle down there during SXSW. Too many bands and too many people wandering the streets who really don't care about music and only want to drink. But, we played a couple of great shows down there to good crowds - to whom we were mostly unknown - and it was a great networking opportunity. We were also fortunate to catch some great new music in small venues, and the sun and heat was a great reprieve for us from this never-ending Winnipeg winter. Overall a very positive experience that was very rejuvenating.
I understand you have already a good fan base in Toronto, since your band was once based there.
When was the last time you played a show there?
We're really excited for this show for a few reasons. We've spent a lot of time in Toronto playing shows and recording music, but we haven't played there since last June, when we played a set at NXNE as well as a fun semi-unplugged show at a great little bar called The Cadillac Lounge. We're really excited to catch up with our fans and friends there and show them what we've been doing with our time. We're also really looking forward to the opportunity to play with two great Winnipeg artists in Toronto. We're big fans of what both OldFolks Home and The Details but we've yet to share a stage with either. I think the three of us together are going to create a great energy at the Rivoli, which is one of our favourite venues to play in Toronto. On top of seeing keg after keg of their beer disappear down the esophagi of 'Peg city folk, I think Torontonians can expect an energetic and eclectic mix of music from some sincere and enthusiastic Winnipeg performers.
Brendan also gave me a preview of their new material that isn't even up on myspace yet. We only have a 1 minute clip as the song is still in development.
EXCLUSIVE: TELE - Let Me In (Sample)
TELE is Matt Worobec on the vocals/guitar, Derek Allard on the drums, Zack Antel on the keys and Brendan Berg on the bass.
TELE on Myspace
TELE on twitter
Toronto: don't miss this showcase! Stay tuned for more details on the new album and news from the band in the future! Big Up!
Labels: Interview, Manitoba, Oldfolks Home, TELE, the Details