Discover Tele
With praise from global artists like Kenshi Yonezu, Tele has been one to watch in today’s Japanese music scene. This article takes a closer look at one of the country’s up-and-coming artists.
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Who is Tele?
Tele is the solo music project of Japanese singer-songwriter and producer Kitaro Taniguchi (谷口喜多朗). A self-produced artist, Tele writes, composes, and arranges all of his music himself.
Since his solo debut in 2022, Tele has been widely praised as one of Japan’s exciting next-generation of artists. In 2023, Tele was selected for Spotify’s RADAR: Early Noise, a program highlighting the country’s breakout artists.
In a TV appearance, singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu introduced him as an artist he’s been listening to.
How did Tele start his music journey?
Tele’s journey with music began when he was 14 years old, when he bought his first electric guitar.
This decision was sparked by the song “YAWARAKA-REGENT,” the ending theme song of the drama Akihabara@DEEP. In a video interview, he shared how this song introduced him to SAKEROCK, the instrumental band led by Gen Hoshino.
From that moment on, tele began teaching himself music.
When did Tele begin making music?
Tele journey with songwriting also began around the same time he started music. While he was initially inspired by SAKEROCK, he found their music difficult to replicate.
After giving up on covering their music, he shifted his focus to writing original songs instead. “That might have been the real starting point,” he shares in a video interview.
How did Tele come to be?
Before his solo project, Taniguchi spent nearly three years performing in a three-piece band as Tele, alongside his high school friends.
However, around the same time as the COVID-19 pandemic, the band came to an end in 2020.
While the band dissolved, Taniguchi chose to hold onto the name. He quietly continued to create music on his own, eventually leading to Tele’s solo debut a couple of years later.
What is the origin of the name Tele?
Chosen during the initial band’s formation, the name Tele is inspired by the Telecaster guitar, which Leo Fender named during the rise of television.
Taniguchi shared how he was drawn to the simplicity and spontaneity of that naming process and decided to do the same.
While the name wasn’t meant to carry a deep meaning at the time, he shares in an interview, “lately, it feels like the meaning has emerged.”
Why did Taniguchi decide to keep the name Tele?
Taniguchi has shared a few different reasons as to why he has continued his solo career under the same name. “It felt empty to end Tele without leaving anything behind,” he shared in an interview.
“I like being in the in-between.”
Tele
He also expressed that working under his own name might limit his creative scope, while the name Tele allows him to move freely between identities, as neither a typical singer-songwriter nor a traditional band.
“I like being in the in-between,” he said. “In that sense, I think it felt natural to go by the name Tele.”
What is Tele’s debut song?
Tele began his solo project with the digital release of his debut track, “Birthday” (バースデイ), in January 2022.
Music writer Tomohiro Ogawa reflects on the meaning behind “Birthday,” commenting that it’s not a celebration of life so far, but rather, “a farewell to the days, which were like ‘deflated whipped cream’ leading up to today.”
Carried by the determination to begin again from zero, Ogawa writes, “even now, Tele continues to run.”
What makes Tele unique?
While many factors have contributed to Tele’s success, one of the qualities he is commonly praised for, and which sets him apart, is his lyrics.
Tele draws from classic pop traditions for his melodies, chords, and arrangements. When it comes to lyrics though, he’s less direct by design. “I think its better to hide what a writer or creator wants to say, or their true intentions.” he explains in an interview.
“[Tele’s lyrics] undoubtely deliver a powerful message.”
Tomohiro Ogawa
Yet, he believes that strong emotions find a way to listeners. “There are moments where my feelings spill out, and I think that’s where people are probably able to connect with me as a person.”
As Tomohiro Ogawa writes, tele’s lyrics “may not immediately be clear at first glance, but when combined with the melody, undoubtedly deliver a powerful message.”
Where can I follow Tele?
As Tele’s exciting music career blossoms, you can follow him through the links below:
Official website
Social media