This is antithetical folk music, complex and lushly arranged by a menagerie of instrumentalists. 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. With seven pieces filling out the line-up Telegraph Canyon is more like a small orchestra than your average folk band.
The band's 2007 debut album “All the Good News” was recorded and produced with the help of Steve Collins, a student and friend of renowned producers Mark Howard (Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris) and Daniel Lanois (Bob Dylan, U2). In only six 12-hour recording sessions, All the Good News was born and began to receive attention in underground markets across the U.S. and Canada as well as niche markets in Australia, Spain and The Netherlands.
With the addition of new members, drummer Austin Green and pianist/vocalist Sherilyn, and an ever-growing inventory of instruments, Telegraph Canyon is filling 2008 with tour dates that will take them through the U.S., as well as putting the finishing touches on their follow up to All the Good News.
“We are not an arena rock band and we don’t play music that everyone with a taste for what's on the radio immediately falls in love with,” Johnson says. “We realize we are not making music for the masses, nor the impatient or the casual listener. We make music for people that want something sincere and provoking, equal parts chaos and beauty, just like the world we live in.”
Chuck Brown: Bass & Vocals
Chris Johnson: Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica & Banjo
Austin Green: Drums & Percussion
Sherilyn: Synth, Piano & Vocals
Tamara Cauble: Violin & Vocals
Andrew Skates: Organ, Rhodes, Accordion, Electric Guitar & Mandolin
Erik Wolfe: Electric Guitar, Banjo & Bass Drum
Todd Pertll: Steel guitar
Telegraph Canyon