Telegraph Canyon
Home: Fort Worth, Texas
Telegraph Canyon was voted the #3 Best Area Concert in the Dallas Observer’s Top 10 Best Concerts of 2009. Among other acclamations the band’s ‘09 release recceived, ‘The Tide and The Current' was voted #1 local album of 2009 by Dallas Observer, Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Reel Roots (Netherlands), Top 10 Texas Albums by KERA (NPR) and Best Area Album Release of the 2000’s by Dallas Observer. The song, “Shake Your Fist”, received #1 song of the year (Dallas Observer) and local song of the decade (Fort Worth Weekly).
For quick reference, tags like Southern Gothic and Dark Folk could be applied, but none of those convey the earnestness, yearning, and desperation of these recordings. Radio Free Silver Lake had an interesting claim calling it “Anthemic, Cosmic Americana”. Though, it’s not at all Americana in the traditional form. Telegraph Canyon combines compelling songwriting with layers of driving, dynamic sounds only to, at times, strip it all away and expose a raw and gentle undercurrent. There are sparse and quiet moments, and then there are explosions of sounds, all underlined with an insanely personal connection. After a few listens, you start to feel as if the band is playing these songs just for you.
Chris Johnson (guitars, banjo, vocals), who grew up in the thick of the musical heritage and culture of Louisiana, surrounds himself with a diverse cast from Texas and call Fort Worth their home. Chuck Brown (bass, vocals), Austin Green (drums,keys, bells), Tamara Cauble (violin, vocals), Brian McCorquodale (pedal steel, piano, percussion), Andrew Skates (organ, accordion, mandolin, guitar), and Erik Wolfe (guitar, bass drum, vibes) together form this ever-evolving palette of sound.
Opening for bands like Broken Social Scene, Old 97‘s, Fanfarlo, Drive By Truckers and Ryan Bingham the band is making waves and quickly winning over new fans. In support of 'The Tide and the Current', produced by Will Johnson (Centro-Matic, South San Gabriel), Telegraph Canyon toured the West Coast 4 times in 7 months in 2009 and are scheduling dates across the U.S.A and Europe this spring and summer 2010. They work hard and want to meet each of you. Chances are they'll be in a city near you in the coming months.


