CURRENT ISSUE

DONATE ADVERTISE SUBSCRIBE
2024

Fresh Talent: Tealskie 

Fresh Talent: Tealskie 

Tealskie (it’s pronounced ‘teal sky’) originated in 2023 as a solo project for Rebekah Pemberton, who had written and recorded her first song from her car. Parasite attracted the attention of Christchurch student radio station RDU, who asked her to play some gigs. Needing a band to help her perform she roped in guitarist Tim Miller, drummer Josh Heslop and bass player Liam Wilkie (since replaced by Anand Yoganathan). It proved so successful Tealskie was born.

The first single released as a band was Flown Away, a song about self-healing, and reflecting back on relationships. December ‘23 saw the release of Stranger Within, bringing a punchy funk sound more to the fore.

“Imagine Red Hot Chili Peppers but with Courtney Love as their frontwoman,” Rebekah suggested at the time. Hayley Williams, Amy Lee, and Joan Jett are also cited among the strong front women who first inspired her to get up on stage. 

“As a band we all love the ‘90s/early 2000’s rock sound. It was such a pivotal moment in time for so many sub-genres and bands within rock music! We really do love Incubus, Paramore, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Pearl Jam, Fall Out Boy and so many more incredible acts that helped us bring our own personal influences into creating the unique Tealskie sound.” 

The November 2024 release of their latest single Citalopram confirms not only that they are great 4-piece rock act but that Tealskie are making fast progress in their development. 

“Over time, we’ve gotten more comfortable experimenting and investing in better equipment, plus we’ve been able to collaborate with some talented people on the scene in Christchurch, like Jacob Patchett and Simon Claridge from RDU. Working with experienced people who understand the direction of our sound has been key to getting more polished and intentional results.”

Taking its name from an antidepressant medication, Rebekah says the single’s mental health messaging is important to all in the band on a very deep level. 
“We think there’s still a lot of stigma around mental health, and music is a powerful way to open up conversations that are otherwise difficult. Writing about these topics is cathartic, both for us and for our listeners.”

Citalopram is accompanied by another of the band’s signature Otautahi-outdoors music videos, co-directed and filmed by Armand Le Roux.

“There’s something raw and open about being in nature that feels authentic and adds to the emotional undertone of the songs,” Rebekah explains. “Plus, it gives each video a unique visual element that feels real and relatable to our audience.”

2024 was a whirlwind year for Tealskie, playing more shows than ever, recording and preparing the single releases, and building towards the early 2025 delivery of a debut EP recorded in Christchurch’s Saltbox Studios

“Our recording team has been crucial to bringing out the best in every song, and we can’t wait to start the process again. We’re aiming for another EP/album later in the year, and will be working closely with some amazing producers and studio engineers who understand the vibe we’re going for.”