Former Microdisney and Fatima Mansion front man Cathal Coughlan and U2, R.E.M. and Snow Patrol producer Jacknife Lee have teamed up to form electronic duo Telefís and we're giving you a chance to listen exclusively to their debut album a hAon.
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Described as "a conceptual electro-funk joyride through the past into the future", the album follows earlier singles from the duo and is one of the most intriguing new albums of the year.
Having known each other vaguely in Ireland's early 80s post-punk scene, Jacknife is now based in L.A., while Cork native Cathal lives in London.
A timely reintroduction by a mutual friend led to the two spending 2020 trading ideas and musical files during lockdown, hatching plans for a satirical, mischievous examination of Irish history and the pop culture of their lifetimes, which the two have labelled "a corrosive nostalgia".
Speaking about working with Lee, Cathal says, "Collaborating in this way, with a dynamic and consummate artist, who has access to a wide range of skills which I don't have, but with whom I share many common interests and cultural/historical reference points, has been one of the highlights of my creative life.
"It's made me so glad that I've been able to remain active for long enough to see something like this happen. Easily as spontaneous and full of surprises as any in-person collaboration, it’s shaken loose many weird and hopefully wonderful things in my verbal workshop. And nobody has heard me use my voice in some of these ways before now, either."
Jacknife Lee adds: "I'd just finished mangling a Luke Haines and Peter Buck record. Luke knows Cathal and re-introduced us. On the first or second correspondence we thought we should make some music together.
"Music is probably the only way I can properly communicate with someone. I sent Cathal the backing track that would become We Need, and he sent me back the vocal and we went back and forth from there. Lockdowns and travel restrictions forced us to work remotely, and I think helped us get to where we got so quickly.
"Cathal is without doubt one of the finest lyricists of our time and writes like no one else. Some of the vocals he sent over made me burst out laughing with giddiness and delight at the novelty of them.
"Mischievous, dark, arcane, crispy fresh, and always unexpected. Every song with a backstory that could be a novel. This is easily the most enjoyable and rewarding music that I've been involved with."
a hAon will be released on CD and vinyl and on digital platforms this Friday, March 4 on Dimple Discs. Physical orders are available here and the digital album can be pre-ordered here. U.S. orders can be placed here.
