Last week, we spoke about the state of post metal and the troubles facing the genre. One of the points of light that we mentioned was Telepathy, an instrumental, post metal band that has released one of our favorite albums in the genre in 2014. 12 Areas was a phenomenal album and we’ve been waiting ever since for some word of a follow up. If you still haven’t heard it, we urge you to do so: it’s an intoxicating blend between deep, post metal riffs and amazing instrumentation, crossing varied genres and ideas. In any case, we finally decided to be proactive about it and reached out to the band for a few words on touring, a potential new release, post metal, genres and pretty much everything else! Read on below for the result!
Hey Telepathy!
Thanks in advance for answering my questions. I can tell you that your name is brought up often in the virtual corridors of Heavy Blog is Heavy so we’re all super excited to hear what you have planned for us in 2016.
That being said, where do things stand with the new material? Can you perhaps give us an expected release date for the album?
Thanks! The new material is around 80% complete and we are currently working on the final song of the album whilst simultaneously tightening and refining the rest of the tracks, ready for the studio. To say we are happier with this than any of our previous output would be an understatement.
Unfortunately at this stage it’s far too early to give any indication of release dates or details surrounding the release of the album.
We can, however, let you know that we are very excited to be heading into the studio on Jan 11th, with esteemed London producer Jaime Gomez Arellano (Paradise Lost, Ghost, Sunn O))), Altar of Plagues). We are chomping at the bit to hear the songs come to life, and to work with such a great producer on this project is a privilege.
Tell me a bit about where 12 Areas comes from. What are your influences? We can obviously hear the usual post metal stuff in there but, as we’ve said recently, your album has a really unique vibe to it. Where does that come from?
12 Areas comes from a pretty turbulent period in all our lives, that’s all I can say on a personal level.
From an influence standpoint, we all bring our unique musical perspective to the band and all of us have a wide-ranging taste in music. Our influences range from crust punk to ambient electronics and everything in between. I think it would be fair to say we are more influenced by and interested in those bands that have created something pure, original and from the heart.
To be honest it would be impossible for a band such as ours to come out with a straightforward “post-metal” record, we wouldn’t be happy with that or for anyone to expect that from us.
I follow you guys on Facebook, so I can see how much shows are important to you. Why is that? Is connection with the fans your main concern with this or is it just the energy of the live show?
It is what we love to do, to create music from our hearts and share it with others. With any live show, that moment on that evening will only happen once, each show and circumstance is its own beast. Through performing our music we learn more about it and ourselves, and we get to share time with people who are passionate and invested in the arts.
You could say the making of an album is us trying to understand and contextualise how we feel and why things are the way they are in a period of time. The live shows are where we can purge this, let ourselves ring every ounce of emotion from the music and ourselves and to share a good time with others.
I understand that you manage everything with tour with a DIY approach. That obviously sounds difficult, but what are some of the positive things you’ve learned from it?
Up until now everything to do with the band and the managerial side of things we have taken care of ourselves. The most positive thing I have learned from it is that no one cares more about your art than you do, and that there are still good, passionate and lovely people in this industry all over the world who it is a privilege to now call our friends.
We recently declared that post metal might be dead but cited you as one of the shining lights within it. What’s your take on this? Do you even feel a part of a grander genre or are you just doing your own thing?
Thank you, that was a wonderful thing to see and of course we are really happy to be recognised as doing something unique within this framework.
To be honest we have never set out to be a part of any sub genre or scene, and consider ourselves to be on our own sonic path in that regard. We don’t like to put boundaries or restrictions on what we do.
We do however understand the need for categorization in today’s world. With so much music available at our fingertips at any given moment it helps you reach people with similar tastes to your own.
On the same subject, do you find that post metal even fits your music or do you see yourself as part of some other sub-genre? Do you even think that genre classifications are useful?
That’s a really interesting question and one we haven’t been asked before.
Of course when people see a band with little to no singing, they assume this must be post rock. While we do have influence from some bands within this scene like Neurosis, Godspeed, Cult of Luna, we are more influenced by their intention and innovation rather than the music they play.
Naturally we are part of an underground community of musicians and have come through the DIY circuit and we have happily shared stages with sludge bands, drone acts, punk bands and more typical post rock groups.
We are simply an adventurous instrumental metal band with a love for riffs, progression and atmosphere.
Even if you don’t, you must admit that instrumental music has its own challenges and unique traits. Is that something you take into consideration when recording? That is, are you concerned with keeping the listener engaged and onboard or do you just let the music flow and wish for the best?
I think what some people have felt in instrumental music is a lack of emotional connection, as especially in rock music we are used to having a singer be the principal star and conveyer of emotion.
That is why we are very keen on having reason and heart behind every part of a song. We cannot waste a minute on something that we don’t believe in wholeheartedly or does not register on an emotional level with us.
Vinyl release again for the next album? You seemed to put a lot of effort and time into the last one. Is vinyl important to you or just a cool format for people to enjoy?
Hopefully! Yes, vinyl is important to us. As part of a band that loves to write albums I still feel vinyl is this best way to experience this. It forces you to be more in touch and invested in the record. The artwork looks better and it gives you an extra dimension and chance to look into what the record is about.
Thank you for the lovely comments on 12 Areas, it was a lot of work but we were lucky to work with a fantastic artist and are happy with how it came out.
Last but not least, the Heavy Blog signature question: how do you like your eggs?
Thanks for taking the time to speak to us, we’ll have them fried.
As always, the band are touring hard and very soon! You can catch them at the following dates:
Nov 27th – The Underworld, London w/ Raging Speedhorn, Gurt & Ten Foot Wizard
Nov 28th – Bleach, Brighton w/Conjurer & Latitudes
Nov 29th – Chameleon Arts Café, Nottingham w/ Conjurer, King Goat & Iron Swan
-EK