"Using multiple laptops, keyboards, synthesizers, effects pedals, a cello, a flute, a guitar, a bass, a live drum set and a drum machine, they [Tealights] mix female vocal harmonies reminiscent of The Cranberries with a chamber-ensemble-gone-industrial instrumental prowess." - Stomp and Stammer
"I am not surprised the band has been so graciously received by their fellow indie artists and reviewers alike. Anyone who has heard TEALIGHTS has been seeking the next fix ever since." - Indie Music Universe
"The outfit manages to blend together so many different sorts of styles into one cohesive hybrid. At times its trip-hop, at times its indie rock, at times its dream pop, and it all flows together beautifully." - Ohmpark
"We'd rather call this cello-sporting Atlanta quartet … er … classico-dub. Or ... er ... deep Strauss. It's not as easy as it looks, is it?." - The Guardian.co.uk
"Like Claude Debussy on a date with Björk, surrealism and impressionism mingle in the dramatic male/female wailing in "Wait." The accomplished musicianship and elegant bent of Take Us By Sea will melt the hardest of hearts." - Creative Loafing
"I have definite plans to catch up on one of my favorite up-and-coming Atlanta bands, Tealights (no “the” before “tea”). Each time I see these kids, they just keep getting better- comes out sounding, all at once,
A) like Lali Puna having tea snacks with Jimmy Tamborello while discussing Monika records
B) like nothing else, really and
C) instantly heart-breaking, comforting and familiar... It was pretty much heart-stopping." - Resonator Magazine
"As Mary began accompanying the rolling thunder coming from Mikey's laptop with her cello, the two struck a union that instantly raised the hairs on the back of my neck." - Paste Magazine
"Long live the resurgence of trip-hop. Neo-triphop even." - HaveYouHeard.net
TEALIGHTS is an indie-electronica band with classical infusions founded in June 2008. Early into its conception, the quartet found itself experimenting with intricate vox harmonies, electronic beats, live drums, synths, pedals, keyboard, guitar, bass, cello, flute, melodica, and bells.
Tealights debuted their sound to local fans when opening for Throw Me the Statue in September 2008 and have grasped comparisons to the likes of The Cranberries and Portishead. They have since graced the stage as opening acts for the Octopus Project, School of Seven Bells, the Evangelicals, Starf*cker, and Asobi Seksu. Their official debut EP entitled Take Us By Sea was released on Sept 29 and was followed by an east-coast-to-mid-west tour in October and southwest tour in November.
Bands Tealights have played with:
A Fight to the Death
Adron
Anthony & the Rockers
Ars Phoenix
Asobi Seksu
Au
The Blacks
Carnivores
Colourmusic
Envie
The Explorers Club
The Evangelicals
Guidance Counselor
Hope For Agoldensummer
It's Elephants
Lions and Scissors
Little Tybee
Living Rooms
Magic Wands
Mary O. Harrisson & The Tiny Tears
Nerd Parade
Nerdkween
Octopus Project
Parenthetical Girls
Phantogram
Phil Morrison & Keith Williams
Rabbit Punch
School Of Seven Bells
Sealions
Sleep Creeps
Sorry No Ferrari
The Sour Notes
Starfucker
Strezo
Subject Matters
This Piano Plays Itself
Throw Me the Statue
Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun
Trees On Fire
Tyvek
Verlaine
Woah, you guys played for Asobi Seksu and the Octopus Project!?!? That's so amazing! I love those bands! And after seeing you guys play tonight, I love you too! Awesome, awesome show. I truly enjoyed it. The way you guys infused classical elements with electronica was simply mind blowing. It was such a great honor to play with you all :D Hope to see more of you in the future!
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