Telegraphs
Charlie Ashcroft | Thursday, 28 May 2009
The venue's proximity to a local crèche has seen the band soundcheck later than expected, to avoid disturbing the toddlers' afternoon naptime, but festival spirit in the camp seems high.
"It's been particularly good this year because we've got a couple of bands staying at my house," says singer Darcy Harrison. "We've got Pulled Apart By Horses and Dinosaur Pile-Up staying, so we were up 'til 8am this morning! It's definitely good being based here and being able to show people around though. Last year we showed Wintersleep around and bought them tons of Tuaca."
This year marks the band's third outing at the Great Escape, ahead of the release of their cracking debut album We Were Ghosts. The fact that the LP will be hitting shops a little later than originally planned, has led the band to jokingly fear the worst.
"It's never coming out," suggests guitarist Darren LeWarne. "It'll be like a bus. By the time it comes out, we'll have another one." With a June release date now officially pencilled in though, anticipation is building. "We're very excited about the album coming out," says bassist Hattie Williams. "It's been getting a really good reaction. Daily Music Guide was our favourite review!"
Speaking to the band, it becomes clear that the album's title is both personal and poignant to a significant degree, as Darcy explains:
"The album charts mine and Hattie's break-up. Even though we were together and writing songs about ourselves, I guess it almost felt as if we weren't 'there'. It's like that breakdown of communication that can happen in a relationship. Ghosts can't communicate in the same way as living people, and so the title came out of that really."
The LP was produced by long-term Idlewild and Manics associate Dave Eringa, and the Great Escape has given Telegraphs an opportunity to catch up with him for the first time in a while.
"He's always a joy to see," says Darcy. "Just so funny." As the band immediately start smiling in unison, Darren does an impression of Eringa's deep-toned belly laugh and says, "It's just the most amazing laugh. It's a very satisfying feeling if you manage to induce it."
There should be plenty more satisfaction coming Telegraphs' way over the months to come. With their debut long player currently receiving praise pretty much across the board, their highly effective brand of emotionally-charged rock looks increasingly destined for bigger audiences as the year unravels. Make them a priority.
Catch Telegraphs on their co-headline tour with Lights Action throughout June. We Were Ghosts is available to order from Small Town Records now.