Throughout 2016, the members of Telafonica will embark on a mission of each writing and recording a new song every month. Sometimes they won't succeed, but the ones that do get recorded will be released each month. There will be no restrictions on style or form, just the freedom to try anything out as each member sees fit. They might get others in the band to help out, or get other friends to help them out, or just go it completely alone. At the end of the year, the band will look back through the collection and see what themes, both musical and lyrical, have arisen, and use these as the basis of a new album in 2017. Think of it as the box-set bonus disc of your favourite album, except you get it before you get the actual album.
The first release features two tracks which can be streamed now, or purchased from the 4-4-2 Music website.
08/02/2016
14/08/2015
cyclic defrost review of tales of loss in the stereo field
originally published by cyclic defrost (link here)
Telafonica – Tales of Loss in the Stereo Field (4-4-2 Music)
By Greg Stone on August 13, 2015
Sydney outfit Telafonica return after the ambitious release project of their previous album Sleeping with the Fisherman, which included 7 remix EPs (one for each album track), a series of art films, and various other extras which were compiled together in a limited edition box set with lovingly crafted handmade packaging. Following this is no mean feat but the group, ever-faithful to their craft, have once again created a stunning package for their latest album Tales of Loss in the Stereo Field, comprised of mini-zines (created by various artists), T-shirts, and personally arranged floral bouquets. This commitment to presenting their work as something more than just music is certainly admirable and lends the music an undeniable aesthetic quality.
The album itself is full of joyful, ramshackle pop, where twangy guitars and loose percussion combine with electronic flourishes set free from the rigid, grid-like structures of modern electronic music. This liberal approach melds perfectly with the effortless interplay between the 3 vocalists with the sultry tones of Eliza Vickers complemented equally by the drawl of Blake Wassell and the understated delivery of Adrian Elmer. Vickers being the most naturally gifted of the vocalists means tracks like ‘Home Song’ and lead single ‘What Remains’ are the most sleek and approachable, but the off-beat whimsy of tracks like ‘Body’ and ‘You, Me and the Missionary’ are equally charming, giving the album more depth and diversity.
The bouncy rhythm of ‘The Shape of What’s Gone’ recalls the similarly playful ‘To Me’ from their previous album and finds the group playing to their strengths with equally infectious results. ‘Dance in Tune’ comes off like a scruffy, adolescent take on a ’60s pop tune and is catchy as hell with Wassell and Elmer trading vocals like some illegitimate Lennon/McCartney offspring.
‘Spin Spin Spill Slip Slip Sing’ misses the mark slightly and seems a little out of place but aside from that the album flows quite seamlessly bookended by the aptly titled opener ‘Lullaby’ and the similarly dreamy ‘Hush, Hush My Father’.
The album is missing the darker explorations of Fisherman opener ‘Viceroy’, a side of the band I would like to hear more of but in saying that it would be in stark contrast to the album’s overall joyous mood.
Tales of Loss in the Stereo Field is fun and entertaining without being shallow or sickly sweet. A fine addition to anyone’s collection and if you’re so inclined be sure to take advantage of the beautiful physical editions.
Telafonica – Tales of Loss in the Stereo Field (4-4-2 Music)
By Greg Stone on August 13, 2015
Sydney outfit Telafonica return after the ambitious release project of their previous album Sleeping with the Fisherman, which included 7 remix EPs (one for each album track), a series of art films, and various other extras which were compiled together in a limited edition box set with lovingly crafted handmade packaging. Following this is no mean feat but the group, ever-faithful to their craft, have once again created a stunning package for their latest album Tales of Loss in the Stereo Field, comprised of mini-zines (created by various artists), T-shirts, and personally arranged floral bouquets. This commitment to presenting their work as something more than just music is certainly admirable and lends the music an undeniable aesthetic quality.
The album itself is full of joyful, ramshackle pop, where twangy guitars and loose percussion combine with electronic flourishes set free from the rigid, grid-like structures of modern electronic music. This liberal approach melds perfectly with the effortless interplay between the 3 vocalists with the sultry tones of Eliza Vickers complemented equally by the drawl of Blake Wassell and the understated delivery of Adrian Elmer. Vickers being the most naturally gifted of the vocalists means tracks like ‘Home Song’ and lead single ‘What Remains’ are the most sleek and approachable, but the off-beat whimsy of tracks like ‘Body’ and ‘You, Me and the Missionary’ are equally charming, giving the album more depth and diversity.
The bouncy rhythm of ‘The Shape of What’s Gone’ recalls the similarly playful ‘To Me’ from their previous album and finds the group playing to their strengths with equally infectious results. ‘Dance in Tune’ comes off like a scruffy, adolescent take on a ’60s pop tune and is catchy as hell with Wassell and Elmer trading vocals like some illegitimate Lennon/McCartney offspring.
‘Spin Spin Spill Slip Slip Sing’ misses the mark slightly and seems a little out of place but aside from that the album flows quite seamlessly bookended by the aptly titled opener ‘Lullaby’ and the similarly dreamy ‘Hush, Hush My Father’.
The album is missing the darker explorations of Fisherman opener ‘Viceroy’, a side of the band I would like to hear more of but in saying that it would be in stark contrast to the album’s overall joyous mood.
Tales of Loss in the Stereo Field is fun and entertaining without being shallow or sickly sweet. A fine addition to anyone’s collection and if you’re so inclined be sure to take advantage of the beautiful physical editions.
15/07/2015
Tales Of Loss In The Stereo Field On CD
CD edition of our new album is now available. Those who've pre-ordered will have theirs sent this week. The CD edition comes with the album and 11 mini-zines, each one created by a different artist, based on one song each from the album. As well as members of Telafonica, zines have been created by Australian radio legend, Tim Ritchie, Monique Rojas of Nothing To Something, Sam Lee, Stephen Fox, Alex Priest, Ben Vickers and Costa Kamarados. $10 plus postage.
18/03/2015
beginning of zines
the production line has begun. zines for the vinyl copy of 'tales of loss in the stereo field'.
13/02/2015
test pressing
test pressing of 'tales of loss in the stereo field' in translucent yellow.
pre-orders still available (though, sadly, only in black for non-test pressings!)
http://4-4-2music.bandcamp.com/album/tales-of-loss-in-the-stereo-field
08/02/2015
i am a suburb, i knew it before
zine page by monique rojas, to accompany cd and vinyl copies of 'tales of loss in the stereo field'.
01/02/2015
28/01/2015
26/01/2015
17/01/2015
10/01/2015
24/12/2014
02/12/2014
24/11/2014
20/03/2014
i'm reading a book. blake came in with a chorus. we noodled around for a bit, blake threw together some more chords for a second section. adrian dredged up some old rhythm loops, added some old lyrics for the second section, bec created some melodika riffage and ellie vamped on the organ. an hour and a half later and the bones of a new song rolled out.
13/03/2014
lullaby. words and music by adrian. this song actually appeared on the first ever telafonica demo, many many years ago, as a solo voice with acoustic guitar backing song. thinking it might make a nice bookend with the other track we started working on tonight (hush, hush my father), we began to create some vocal arrangements for it as well.
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