By Kristin Anderson
Hello my Indie lovers, I have some news from the mothership. I have made contact again with a new species of music. This time having delved into an electric candlelit dream of classical revelation and electronic revolution.
TEALIGHTS is an indie-electronica band with classical infusions founded in June 2008. Early into its conception, the band found itself experimenting with vox harmonies, electronic beats, live drums, synths, pedals, keyboard, guitar, bass, cello, flute, melodica, and bells. Mary's luminous brand of vocals twined with lead singer Nancy's delicate, droning tone sets the perfect balance for Tealights. To accentuate Mikey's electronic brilliance, Brett creates another dimension using gadgets and live drums.
Tealights began debuting their sound locally in September 2008 and have grasped comparisons to the likes of The Cranberries and Portishead. They have since graced the stage as opening acts for the Octopus Project, Parenthetical Girls, the Evangelicals, Starfucker, and Asobi Seksu. In March 2009, Tealights officially released their demo. The official debut EP entitled Take Us By Sea will be released on Sept 29 at the Drunken Unicorn, followed by an east coast tour in October and southwest tour in November.
Actually having penetrated electronica with classical music, this is not ear garbage. Interesting and never off-putting, the sound is emotional and desperate. Transcending the sound of music, moving like the waves through the inscription of electric sound smoothed out with the sweet sound of a woman's request. I am a fan already. Having only heard suggestions of the music but never heard them combined in such a way. With influences like Portishead, Björk, Dido, Feist, Radiohead, múm, Sigur Rós, Imogen Heap, Frou Frou, etc…you will resolve yourself to the fact that imitation did not birth this music. If you are at all familiar with their influences you will not be surprised to hear combinations of what sounds like church music, electronic delights, and in some cases a very sweet almost ENYA sound that somehow (and we have yet to figure out how, and I'm sure when it happens, the cloning will begin) the music seems to make sense, like opposites attracting. This music does not ask you to try, it does not expect you to figure out why it is yours, but only to listen in awe of the magnificence. I am not surprised the band has been so graciously received by their fellow indie artists and reviewers alike. Anyone who has heard TEALIGHTS has been seeking the next fix ever since.
From sullen to sexy in a moment, the transitions of each song can get away with what other bands have not. The sounds are so multi-faceted that a flute can play and you will immediately be reminded that you typically hate the flute..but somehow (still asking?) it is just where it belongs in the music.
Now is the time and this is the place. Go forth on your pilgrimage seeking to be inspired and check out "Take us by Sea" — the album will bless you with a new view. I won't say a bad word about them. I wont give a warning. Just listen to a the new species and welcome them to the indie music universe. There's room enough for all of us.
Check out TEALIGHTS at www.myspace.com/tealightstheband
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