Spotlight Sounds; Episode Sixteen with Telebox

Explosive Galway Rockers Telebox Ignite with New Single House On Fire

Welcome back to Spotlight Sounds, a series by Secrets Behind the Sound celebrating the vibrant world of Irish music. Dive into the blend of tradition and innovation that characterises Ireland's contemporary music scene, featuring both established and emerging artists. Explore the influences and experiences shaping Irish musicians and join us as we delve into their creative processes, stories, and journeys. Through in-depth discussions, Secrets Behind The Sound recognises the groundbreaking contributions of Irish artists to global creativity. Whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer, Spotlight Sounds invites you to explore the captivating realm of Irish music—a journey into the stories, sounds, and enigmas that make up Ireland's music scene.

Hailing from my own home town in the West of Ireland, Telebox is an electrifyingly energetic indie rock four-piece that has captivated audiences with their dynamic sound and engaging performances. The band, composed of cousins Joe Kelly (vocals and guitar) and Stevie Healy (drums), along with Conall Ó Floinn (guitar) and Eoin Killeen (bass), formed during their school years and quickly made a name for themselves in the Irish music scene. Their debut EP What is the Point?, released last summer, marked the beginning of an exciting journey, leasing them to perform at renowned venues such as Whelan's, Dolan's, Cyprus Avenue, The Spirit Store, and Galway's local, the Róisín Dubh.

With over 60 shows to their name and more than 50k streams on Spotify, Telebox has achieved significant milestones including victories at the Galway Battle of the Bands and the UCC/UL Battle of the Bands.

Can you tell us how Telebox originally formed?

We formed while we were still in school. We were originally a six piece under a different name. In April 2022 we found our bassist Eoin and from there we decided to start taking it seriously.

Who are your main musical influences and how have they shaped your sound?

We all have very different music tastes from Jazz and Funk to Folk and Heavy Rock. There is an overlap a lot of the time with Irish artists like Fountaines D.C. and The Murder Capital. But I think it's safe to say we all take our own influences from our own favourite music and bring them together. It's sometimes that mixing of styles that inspires us with our tunes.

How did the idea of House on Fire come about, and what was the creative process like for this single?

House of Fire was written back in September. Joe and Conall were both moving down to Cork for college and we has all just come back from an Interrailing trip around Europe. It's a song that explores complex feeling which are often too difficult for us to put words to. It's full of questioning and it invites us to re-evaluate the things we love.

The idea of House on Fire came from a poster on Stevie's wall from a local DJ night in Galway. We began to toy with the idea of a House on Fire to represent how the song feels.

Can you share any interesting stories or challenges you faced while recording House on Fire?

Well, it was written over a few weeks between Galway and Cork. Joe goes to college at Cork School of Music and they have great practice facilities. We spent weekends there jamming and writing all the tunes for the EP. We really took time to focus on writing and creating the best thing we possibly could.

Telebox is known for explosive live performances. How do you prepare for a show, and what do you think makes your live shows stand out?

We usually like to spend the day together and we usually carry gear around on public transport since none of us drive. It's important for us that we have plenty of time before the show to chill out and prepare.

Usually about 30 minutes before the show we do a vocal arm up and some stretches. Sometimes people give us funny looks in the green room when there's four lads singing "Mommy made me mash my m&ms".

Energy is the most important thing for us. We have to give it all, leave it all out there for us to be happy with a performance. It makes it fun for us and the audience so it's essential to our performances.

You've shared the stage with notable bands like NewDad, The Murder Capital and Kynsy. What have you as a band learned from these experiences?

It's been very cool to play with bands as big as these. Although playing with a huge band is great, the support slots can often be tough with smaller crowds. We've found that it's super important to put on the show no matter what. Play like it's a sold out Glastonbury. This way we have fun and we show off our best selves.

What can fans expect from your upcoming EP When Night Turns into Day in terms of themes in terms of themes and musical direction?

This EP definitely shows a darker side of our music. We were keen to explore new sounds which are clearly heard in House on Fire. However, there are a few softer ones that we feel shows our ability to be open to new things. Thematically, it changes song to song but an overarching themes is that a lot of the song tells stories. Stories that make you think a bit deeper about your life.

Being a young band, how do you balance your musical careers with other aspects of your lives, like education or other commitments?

It can be difficult, especially now that Joe and Conall are living in Cork and Stevie is doing the Leaving Cert. The amount of time we get to see each is less frequent, so we are spending really good quality tome working hard because we know it's so limited.

What has been the most memorable moment of your journey as Telebox so far?

 Definitely, we all agree that playing a sold out Cyprus Avenue for the UCC battle of the bands was an amazing experience. We had only played Cork once before so we were not expecting such a huge turnout. The venue was packed out and we played one of our best gigs yet. It was such a great buzz!

If you could give advice to other young musicians trying to break into the industry, what would it be?

 The most important thing is just keep going and give it your all. We still have a long way to go yet but we’ve found that consistency and just being sound to people can get you far. 

If you could pick one venue that would be the dream venue for Telebox to play, what would it be and why? 

On a smaller scale we’d love to play The Brixton Windmill. It’s such a cool London venue and all the best bands have played there. 

 A dream venue would probably be the Big Top here in Galway. We’ve all gone to it every year since we were younger and it’s such a staple in the Galway music scene. It would be crazy to be on the other side of the barrier.

Wrapping up our conversation with Telebox, it's evident that their journey from school days to rising stars in the Irish music scene is marked by passion, dedication, and a genuine love for their craft. Their insightful reflections on influences, creative processes, and the highs and lows of performing reveal a band deeply committed to their art. Telebox’s emphasis on energy and authenticity, both in the studio and on stage, sets them apart and promises a bright future ahead. Whether they’re navigating the challenges of balancing music with education or dreaming of playing iconic venues, their story is one of resilience and ambition. As they gear up for the release of their upcoming EP, When Night Turns into Day, fans can expect a darker, more introspective side of Telebox, showcasing their versatility and growth. Keep an eye on Telebox—they are a band to watch, and their journey is just beginning.

Keep up with Telebox through their socials;

Instagram- @_Telebox_