Athens GA’s “sometimes-loud-sometimes-quiet” indie rockers Telemarket return with new single “Didn’t Ask What’s On My Mind.”, a dreamy bedroom pop number featuring an accompanying music video by international “ignorant” tattoo artist JankyDoodlez, out November 12th.
“Didn’t Ask What’s On My Mind.” is Telemarket’s first follow up to 2023’s Ad Nauseam, their debut LP released on Elephant 6 affiliate Cloud Recordings. John Fernandes, Cloud Recordings lead and member of E6 projects Olivia Tremor Control and Circulatory System, is featured on the new track, layering clarinet in the songs’ third act. Also featured on the single is Neil Golden, past touring member of the Glands, performing Wurlitzer piano throughout the track, and past Telemarket member Will Anderson, contributing tasteful touches of Rhodes piano. All other instruments were played and recorded by Telemarket songwriter Adam Wayton.
Wayton wrote and recorded “Didn’t Ask What’s On My Mind.” in one day at his Athens, Georgia home studio and Indecent Artistry HQ The Eye (featured here on NPR’s Sense of Place). Vague melodies while waking up took form through singing in the shower, then to be sketched out on the front porch, and fully shaped in the studio. The emerging result is a melancholic pop piece that builds as it billows, adding hazy touches and bittersweet hooks along the way. “Didn’t Ask What’s On My Mind.” evokes an effortless and seemingly unconcerned groove as the bass guitar dances in during the tracks second verse, weaving between the tracks simple yet impactful drum part. In true “throw-and-go” fashion, the tracks’ lo-fi drums were recorded on a single microphone, then pushed hard to a tape machine to achieve their punch, grit, and texture.
“Didn’t Ask What’s On My Mind.” is accompanied by a music video created by international “ignorant” tattoo artist Ryan James, better known to his instagram followers as JankyDoodlez (instagram, and past coverage on Daily Mail). Wayton and James linked up after James posted a story on his Instagram expressing his desire to produce a music video for someone with the only stipulation being that whatever he cooked up couldn’t be viewed until it was fully complete. Wayton, being a fan of the JankyDoodlez work, responded to the post and the pair teamed up in a way only internet friends in 2025 could. James’ video features handmade models and miniatures, foliage-clad figures, and an aptly fitting amount of apprehension and tension to match the Telemarket track.
Wayton and Telemarket commemorate the release of “Didn’t Ask What’s On My Mind.” with a single release show at Athens’ Nowhere Bar on Thursday, November 13th, alongside hometown acts Bayou Princess, Penny Loafer, and Chairs. Telemarket also plays November 7th at East Atlanta house venue Last Resort, and Wayton will perform an acoustic set November 29th at the Cloud Recordings Fest 2025 at Flicker Theatre in Athens, GA.
All proceeds from streaming, bandcamp, and YouTube release of “Didn’t Ask What’s On My Mind.” Will be donated to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund. You can also donate directly to the PCRF here.