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SOUND TRANSMISSION SIGNALS Garret ‘Jacknife’ Lee
first saw Cathal Coughlan performing as Microdisney in The Grand in 1980. 41 years later the two have made an album under the moniker of Telefís. Turn on and tune in. words: Zara Hedderman photo: Jacknife Lee Heralding the halfway point of A hÁon, the debut record from Telefís, is an interlude entitled, The Imperial Angelus. For approximately a minute, the commanding gong synonymous to Catholic Ireland rings. Beneath its bellow are recordings taken from television archives, “Have you cleaned those shoes well now?” asks a conscientious male voice. First broadcast on Irish radio and television in 1950, the Angelus continues to be heard today. To the listener, it serves a stark reminder of the hold the religious institution retains on the country and certain media outlets. Exploring and examining our relationship to history, as Irish citizens, is one of the linear narratives presented throughout the endlessly captivating introduction from Telefís. The Imperial Angelus is just one of thirteen brilliantly varied compositions and sound collages to be enjoyed on A hÁon, the culmination of a fruitful collaboration between two highly revered figures in Irish music, Cathal Coughlan (formerly of Microdisney and Fatima Mansions) and producer, Garret ‘Jacknife’ Lee. The latter began his musical career as a guitarist with punk band Compulsion in the early 1990s before entering the world of production, notably working with R.E.M., U2, and Taylor Swift amongst others. Meanwhile, Coughlan is beloved within the underground music scene, from his contributions in both of his groundbreaking outfits to his striking solo material. It’s remarkable, then, that it has taken so long for these distinguished figures to properly cross paths. However, their history goes back to when Lee was a teen and Coughlan was Microdisney. “It was in Dublin, a great deal of time ago,” smiles Coughlan, remembering their first encounter. Lee elaborates, “I think it was around 1982, when I was 13 or 14. I had seen Microdisney supporting Siouxsie & The Banshees in The Grand in 1980, that was my first gig. Shortly afterwards, I started playing music and my first gig as a musician was supporting Microdisney! I played with them in Cork, also, and then I don’t think we met again.” Their eventual reintroduction, decades later, came through mutual friend, musician Luke Haines. From there, the prospect of making music together became a way for the two to hold onto their connection and develop a friendship. “I guess the impetus [to start Telefís] was as a way of socialising, really,” recalls Coughlan before turning to Lee, “It was you who suggested we do music, Garret.” Amused, Lee continues, “I think I didn’t know what else to say! One of the only ways I can communicate with somebody is through music. I was also just really excited about reconnecting with Cathal because previously I would have been more of a fan than a friend. I think I just blurted out in an email, ‘Do you want to make some music?’ Without knowing what that music would be or sound like. Fortunately, Cathal was up for it. We had no plans but very quickly amassed some songs.” Using their shared affinity for post punk, the pair forged a foundation for their project; the name Telefís being a play on CBGB regulars, Television. Musically, however, Kraftwerks’s 1975 record Radio-Activity was a big influence on a lot of their compositions. The nature of this collaboration is reflective of how many artists worked throughout extensive periods of lockdown and isolation incurred from Covid-19. Neither are situated in the same place, or even timezone, with Coughlan living in London and Lee in Los Angeles. When we speak on Zoom (me adding Dublin to the mix), the disparity of location quickly disappears due to the warm and welcoming nature emanating from them. Casually chatting amongst themselves about their approach to making A hÁon, their chemistry is extremely endearing, one you expect from old friends and immediately feel part of. 52