Tele and The Ghost of Our Lord is the pseudonym of Florida-based songwriter, multi-instrumentalist producer, engineer, and visual artist Matt Kamm. From bluegrass instruments and psychedelia to synthesis, Tele prefers the pursuit of intuition over formula. Expect genre-hopping from T&TGOOL.
Folk has always had a literary element, but Kamm’s approach to these tropes is as refreshing as a sip of hot, fresh coffee on a cold day. The bitter warmth of his silk-lined vocals brings his stunning imagery to life while creating a sonic conflict between the breezy melodies and downtrodden storytelling. Kamm can craft these lost souls into heartfelt characters you can become attached to, and “The Old Man Keeps Yellin’ At The Clouds” only scratches the surface of his songwriting prowess. The new single is a smokey ballad with captivating songwriting coiling around a simplistic yet potent arrangement, allowing Kamm’s lyrics to act as the centerpiece. The vague poetry that drives is simply spellbinding and a refreshing listen as folk and country music continue to grow in the modern age. By keeping one foot in tradition and another in his own playing field, Kamm’s words are free to roam to the very corners of the map and emerge with enticing stories. “The Old Man Keeps Yellin’ At The Clouds” is a welcome change of pace in folk as Kamm crafts an eerie ballad with heartfelt songwriting and an infectious twang.
“‘The Old Man Keeps Yellin’ At The Clouds’ was written on my back porch during Hurricane Milton, began recording on Halloween night, and finished at 5 AM the morning after the US election as bats returned home to the eaves of my roof after an evening of chaos,” explains Kamm. “A few bandmates added some of their finishing touches, and I was prescribed insomnia medication a few days after completing the master. I’m not sure if my doctor has my best interests in mind.”