Mike Swanson is heading out for us again this week to see a solid up-and-comer, Telepath. Here’s the lowdown…
Telepath will be kicking off the Halloween weekend here in Charlottesville, playing host to the Hallow’s Eve Ball at IS this Thursday. After feeling the effects of two primary local venues closing over the past year (Star Hill and Satellite Ballroom), things are starting to look up around here. The former Star Hill has recently renovated reopened as IS, having basically the same setup- an upstairs venue with a downstairs restaurant and bar (Si Tapas). Telepath will be my first show at IS; a coincidence I am more than happy about.
I first heard Telepath when they opened for Lotus at Satellite Ballroom in February, which Marc covered for the site. In the three sets I have seen since then, and in listening to their latest release, Contact, Telepath has really made a lasting impression. They have progressed further into a unique fusion of sound, loaded with heavy bass, synth, and dub-infused progressions, breakbeat rhythms, and sampled vocal and instrumental passages from all over the world.
The only thing that I have taken into consideration with this group is the proverbial “don’t judge a book by its cover.” While I personally feel that their studio work is well-crafted and a listening pleasure, I feel like a lot of people are not completely hooked until they experience the intensity and atmosphere of their live performances.
Here are their remaining tour dates; I would highly recommend catching this trio if they are coming through your town.
Telepath 2008 Tour Dates
October 29th The Jewish Mother Virginia Beach, VA.
October 30th Si Tapas Charlottesville, VA.
October 31st Highline Ballroom New York, NY.
November 1st River Street Jazz Café Plains, PA.
November 13th Bear Creek Music Festival Live Oak, FL.
November 14th Georgia Theatre Athens, GA.
November 15th The Orange Peel Asheville, NC.
November 26th Chameleon Club Lancaster, PA.
November 28th Mr. Smalls Theatre Pittsburgh, PA.
