Telescreens: Redefining a New Era of Rock

A New York City-based band, Telescreens, is bringing authentic and euphoric rock n roll to a new era of the NYC music scene. Telescreens comprises Jackson Hamm (Lead and Guitar), Austin Brenner (Bass), Josiah Valerius (Keyboard and Synths), and Oliver Graf (Drums). The band, originally consisting of Hamm, Brenner, and Valerius, released The Return in 2020, and right when the trio needed a drummer, Graf presented himself, and it clicked for them as a band. Their sound can be described as future alternative rock with folk writing; their first album, The Return, had more electronic elements, but with their newest EP, releasing in late August, they have followed through with more rock. Through their music and astonishingly kinetic live performances, where the audience is taken on a journey and transcends. Telescreens is bringing a nostalgic feeling that came with listening to classic rock n’ roll and modernizing it. A band dedicated to music and bringing people together through the ideals and objectives of rock n roll and its culture.

Where did the name Telescreens come from? Does it mean something?

The name comes from 1984 the George Orwell novel. It was a device that the thought police or “big brother” used to watch over citizens. It’s like a two way radio/mirror that can never be turned off. This name always stuck with me after reading the book, I really couldn’t get it out of my head. Eventually I thought “The Telescreens” would be an interesting name for a musical project. This was circa 2014. A Telescreen was a vehicle of oppressive authoritarian control. I wanted to flip the meaning and instead make it a positive reflection of humanity. Telescreens, the band, is built to be a pure representation of the thoughts, desires, and emotions that make us human. We desire freedom, we fight oppression, we express ourselves, we are unafraid of judgement, we want to spread love, euphoria, and we want to bring human beings closer together. This is our mission and as far as I’m concerned the mission of rock n’ roll in general.

How did you come together as a band? Was there a moment when it clicked for you as a band?

Me (Jackson) Austin, and Josiah met in college. Josiah was in my dorm room one night randomly and we ended up smoking a joint and walking around New York. Our ethos on music and expression and energy was in total alignment. We started making music together and the first thing we made ended up being the climaxing synth build at the end of “Wait” off our first record. After that session I remember asking our good buddy Jack Kleinick if he thought Josiah would want to join the band. He told me no and Josiah was way too busy. Luckily I am very stubborn and asked Josiah anyway. Josiah said what we were making was too powerful to ignore and we had to keep going to see where it could go. That was 7 years ago.

Austin’s girlfriend at the time was living across the hall from where me and Josiah were making songs. He would occasionally poke his head in and jump on an instrument to jam. Austin had a great reputation at the time as a multi-instrumentalist and producer. Eventually we got Austin in a rehearsal and a light bulb went off in all our heads. Goosebumps, adrenaline, and the music was beyond any of us at the time. We had no idea what we were doing, but looking at each other during those rehearsals we all knew we just had to keep doing it.

Oliver was my brother’s best friend in middle school. I would always steal him away to jam when he would come over to see my brother. He was a young drummer and I was a few years older just starting to seriously write songs. We would have a hell of a time back then. I didn’t see him for about 5 years and then right when me, Austin and Josiah were looking for drummers (without success) we bumped into each other. He was also going to school in New York and was secretly still addicted to playing drums. I invited him to a rehearsal and it was a moment I’ll never forget. We were fumbling through “I remember dying” and finally Josiah (who grew up playing drums in the church) jumped on the kit to show him more of what we were looking for. Josiah played hard and with intent. Oli sat there and listened to the three of us run through IRD and went bright red in the face. When we finished he said “please can I try again.” He got back on the kit and when he came back in it was like thunder. I’ll never forget that moment. Oli was a jazz drummer in high school, always being told to play quieter. Now I was screaming play louder and his playing felt like a beautiful release of tension. We were sweating, bleeding, and crying by the end of that rehearsal. It was locked in that was the moment.

The Return and your newer material have a different sound, especially as you transition more into rock n roll. What sparked this switch in your music?

The Return was made entirely by Austin, Josiah, and myself in bedrooms on laptops. We had minimal equipment and a vision to make a magnum opus esc concept record. This was in 2016 and we all were in love with Frank Ocean’s Blonde and Kanye West. We wanted to combine the likes of Pink Floyd’s Dark side of the Moon and The Beatles with the modern sonics that we were so inspired by. 4 years of writing, recording, producing, and mixing we ended up with an hour and a half piece of music that flowed linearly. We discovered energies in the process of making The Return that we continue to source and chase to this day. No stone was left unturned making this album and the three of us remain very proud of it. It nearly killed us, really it did.

Oli joined the band in 2019 and finally we had a drummer. We suddenly were out of the box. We were playing shows and watching people respond to fast tempo energetic music. I was very inspired by Nirvana, The Pixies, and The Beatles among many others at the time and went back to writing more songs on my guitar. I would bring these songs to the band and everyone would immediately find their way in. It was a vicious, cathartic, euphoric sound that was quintessentially rock n roll. Austin, Oliver, and myself were rhythmically locking and determined to get better and better at it. Josiah was the texture on top that takes from the obsessive synthesizer focused first album and added to a traditional rock 3 piece. It was immediate and obvious and the only thought we had was to record this shit asap.

What can we expect from your EP coming out at the end of the month?

The EP will be half of our upcoming album. It is a maximalist modern rock n roll recording. The songs are simple and built to be as energizing and uplifting as possible. We have been practicing relentlessly as an outfit since 2019, our goal always to push each other to be the best band in the world. Cuz why the f*ck not? The tightest hardest hitting group of mother fuckers on the face of the planet. That has been the mantra for the last 4 years. I’m not entirely sure that is a destination, but it definitely holds us accountable with each other at the highest level we can compute. Constantly working on fixing the littlest details that compound to make a big difference.

The record is a pure immortalized version of what we do as a live band. Our influence for the process was Nirvana’s “Nevermind”. Practice until the brink of insanity, find the best record producer in town (Alex Poeppel), and record live with all of us in the room. No click (except lost, vertigo, and lost ants). The result is a very energetic, loud, abrasive recording that is an honest expression of us as a band. It is mixed by Alex Tumay and it is the best sounding music I have ever been a part of making. I have never met better producers and engineers in my life and it was a true honor making the album with them.

What is your writing process like? Do you all have the same process? Has it evolved in any way since The Return?

The songs for this coming album fell out of the air. Many of them just came out late at night while sitting with my guitar. I’d bring them to the lads and we would jam and arrange on the fly in rehearsal. Songs also came from rehearsal where someone would just play a random line and that would build into a jam that would morph into a song. It was all very natural and we just followed our instinct and feeling.

The Return was very different. Austin, Josiah and I would sit at a laptop for days on end and record these crazy over the top productions that ended up taking years to organize, write to and mix. A very different process, but a valid one. Making “The Return” definitely made us far better at producing and recording music. We threw every piece of paint we could find at the canvas and reacted to what stuck.

“The Return” was very complicated, so we tried to make the upcoming record as simple as we could. Realizing that the more simple and dynamic a recording is, the harder it can hit.

What have been your most memorable performances or shows?

In the summer of 2022, we convinced some college girls on a random Saturday to let us take over their backyard in the East Village to play a little DIY rock show. It ended up being 500 odd people packed into this back yard. It was the beginning of the summer. Neighbors crowded on their fire escapes with six packs, people brought their own booze, the vibes were spiritual. It felt like a real New York moment - something that could only happen in NYC. In 8 hours we went from having no plans to packing 500 people into some random girl’s yard. The cops came and decided to let us keep playing. We played a show that to this day remains my favorite Telescreens show ever, it was magic.

Do you have a before- or after-show ritual? If so, what are they?

Before a show Josiah and I meditate. I specifically try and slow my heart rate as much as possible. Oliver and Austin socialize. Then about 10 minutes before we go on, we huddle up, say a prayer, and take 4 deep, slow breaths in sync. I think syncing our breathing really helps us tap into each other and is a good reminder that the goal is synergy between all of our different energies.

What are some artists that have influenced your sound?

The Beatles, Radiohead, Frank Ocean, Nirvana, Joy Division, Pixies, Bob Dylan, Kanye West, Marvin Gaye, The Strokes, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, LCD Soundsystem, David Bowie, Lauren Hill, Gorillaz, Blur, Bob Marley, Tame Impala, Sublime, The Yeah yeah yeahs, Stevie Wonder, Arctic Monkeys, The XX, Daft Punk, Smashing Pumpkins, Green Day, Oasis, Outkast…. IDK I could go all day.

What does “Where do we go but up? Look around you, darkness. Beneath you, darkness. Above you a light. Where do we go but up?” mean? Who wrote this and does this piece define what Telescreens is about?

This is a poem that came to me during the writing of The Return. I don’t really know what these words mean or why they came to me. I do remember visualizing being buried by an avalanche. Completely submerged in snow. I spit and the spit fell upwards, I was upside down. I just remember a vision of digging up to find my way back to the light. This is to me a representation of what all life is about, getting knocked down and finding your way back to the light. Life is the fight back to the light, and Telescreens is a representation of that message.

In your music video “Lost”, 90’s it girl Juliette Lewis made a cameo. How did that come to be?

My friend Michael put the backyard show I discussed earlier on his instagram story. E.B a producer out in LA saw the video of the backyard show and got curious. He started digging and ended up listening to The Return front to back many times over. In his words he became obsessed with it and showed it to everyone he knew. One of his friends is Juliet and he showed her the record. Her response was also similar and eventually she reached out to us about how much she liked the album. We started a dialogue and it went from there. She’s awesome and her connection to the music allows us to feel a little less crazy.

A band that has been on the rise is finally getting the recognition they deserve. Through their music and dynamic live performances, Telescreens is carrying the torch of rock n roll and bringing it back into NYC, which you shouldn’t miss. You can catch them this Saturday, August 26th, at Bowery Ballroom performing their long-awaited EP that comes out the day before.

Written and Interviewed by Veronica Anya

Photography by Jeff Thomas and Tammi Ferrara, courtesy of Telescreens.

REALFICTION: Out Of Town #1

How did you come up with your group's name?

“REALFICTION” emerged from a fusion of creativity and chaos during a quarantine session. Jason and I were isolated together, allowing us to produce our first EP in a state of fevered inspiration having just been diagnosed. The name 'REALFICTION' encapsulated our ethos, our creative mantra. We explored other possibilities, but nothing resonated quite like REALFICTION.

Does it mean anything?

The term REALFICTION became a philosophical exploration for us, a medium through which we could create soundscapes that defied the conventional boundaries between fact and fiction. A space where we could write about more than just our own experiences. A space where we can dream, yell, kick, scream, cry, love, curse, dance, process, and play. That’s REALFICTION.

How did the band come together?

The formation of our band was almost serendipitous. Jason's move to Nashville and into Joey's life was a cosmic alignment that neither of us could have planned. We became fast friends, and when the pandemic struck, our shared ambition and passion for music transformed our living space into a creative hothouse.

What have been some of your favorite/memorable performances?

Opening for Judah and the Lion on their Happy Again Tour, was a dream turned reality that expanded our horizons, and Playing Nashville's Bummeroo Festival with Arlie transcended performance—it was a celebration, a musical communion with friends and fans that echoed long into the night.

What songs are your favorites to perform?

Performing 'Blood In Your Car' and 'It's Not The End' is an electrifying experience that we and our audience collectively partake in. These songs have a life of their own, manifesting in tangible energy that spreads through the crowd, urging them to move, feel, and embrace the music. It's a symbiotic relationship that validates our existence as musicians. And as people.

Who are some of your influences in music?

Our musical influences are a rich tapestry of sounds and philosophies. We draw inspiration from the soulful storytelling of Frank Ocean, the sonic experimentation of Radiohead, the pop sensibilities of Taylor Swift, the bold defiance of Run the Jewels, the emotional rawness of The 1975, and the intricate harmonies of Pinegrove. This kaleidoscope of influences fuels our creative engine, pushing us to transcend genres and create something that reflects the complexity of human emotion.

A Heart-Stopping Season Two

(TW: Article contains mentions of eating disorders and self-harm.)

The critically acclaimed and beloved Netflix show Heartstopper returned on August 3rd for its second season, and you can bet that I watched the entire thing in one sitting the day it came out. The series, based on the beloved graphic novel by Alice Oseman that goes by the same name, centers around teens Nick, Charlie and their friendship group as they navigate relationships, mental health, bullies, and love. While season one is very much a “figuring out who you are” story and learning to accept yourself, season two delved far more into the whole idea of having to “come out” as a queer person, addressing mental health much more head-on, and how having a good support system can be vital to one’s identity.

SPOILERS AHEAD!!

In this season, Charlie stands up for himself against small-minded people and Nick reiterates the fact that he is bisexual a multitude of times as people try to gloss over that detail. Bi-erasure is not tolerated and the two boys become more confident in their relationship as the episodes progress. The relentless homophobia from Nick’s brother, David, and constant harassment from fellow student, Ben, are not tolerated as they are swiftly put in their place multiple times, whether it be from Tori (Charlie’s sister), Sarah Nelson (Nick’s mom), or Nick and Charlie themselves. Each time these two character’s remarks are shot down, it is more satisfying than the last. Nick stands his ground as an absent father is addressed and Charlie becomes more vulnerable than ever due to his struggles with mental health. All in all, this chapter of Heartstopper definitely covers a lot more than the last but it does so in a phenomenal manner.

As the season begins, we’re welcomed back into the world of Heartstopper with a montage of quite a lot of kissing between Nick and Charlie. It almost feels like you’re watching something that should be private between the two which just goes to show how incredible the chemistry is between actors Joe Locke (Charlie) and Kit Connor (Nick). The honeymoon phase is definitely in full effect with the kick-off of the season and, honestly, it’s pretty adorable to watch the two be so comfortable with each other now after the cute awkwardness of season one.

This season is definitely more of an intimate one than the first, whether you want to define that as more making out or more heart-to-heart talks. Nick and Charlie are learning to trust each other and that is portrayed through the serious and quiet discussions they have. One quieter plotline is Nick’s anxiety, especially with coming out to others. He’s scared that he won’t be able to keep his promises and that he is going to let everyone down, nervous that he is going to fail his GCSE’s (General Certificate of Secondary Education), and terrified by the fact that he may hurt Charlie by keeping their relationship a secret. And yet, Charlie instead is gentle with him, caring for him and showing that he understands what he’s going through. He stands up for Nick and comforts him every step of the way, only wanting to be there for him and nothing more. It’s a subtle but brilliant way to touch on panic attacks, how they can be detrimental in some cases, and how just having that one person there to pull you out of it can make the world of a difference.

One of the bigger plot points is Charlie’s struggle with food. Slightly sprinkled throughout season one, it is much more evident in this chapter, especially in episode 5 when the group visits The Louvre. Charlie passes out due to lack of eating and awakes to a concerned Nick and friends. Later, when he is sat down, he explains to Nick that it is something he feels he can control and apologizes to him, folding in on himself a bit. Subsequently, Nick reassures him that there is no reason to apologize; he “wants to understand” and be there for Charlie. He offers Charlie a croissant he had saved him from that morning, they have a little laugh over how stale it is, and they slowly get back into the groove of things on their school visit to Paris. But, Charlie’s lack of eating is much more prevalent in the rest of the season now that Nick is hyperaware of it. He truly cares for Charlie and wants to make sure that he is okay. Heartstopper presents this battle with food in such an important light: it is not glorified, nor made a joke of, which tends to occur in media frequently.

One of my favorite parts of this season lives in the very last moments of the final episode. It’s a quiet scene between Nick and Charlie but a meaningful one. It takes place after prom, what you would think is quite literally a perfect day, especially for Charlie, who has always dreamed of getting to be “out” with his boyfriend. But, for Nick, there’s still this nagging voice in his head that’s worried for Charlie, mainly since he doesn’t know just how bad the bullying was when Charlie first came out. So, Nick pushes slightly for Charlie to open up about what happened, and when Charlie starts to go quiet, Nick moves from his bed to his floor to sit with him. He reassures him that he “doesn’t have to be perfect” around him and gives him all of his attention. Feeling safe, Charlie finally opens up about what occurred for the first time. He tells Nick how people would call him disgusting to his face, how he couldn’t fathom the terrible homophobia in this day and age, and how much he started to believe what others would say about him. It’s heartbreaking, especially when Charlie reveals that he used to cut himself. Charlie even apologizes again, telling Nick that he doesn’t want him to see him as this “fragile and broken mess that needs to be fixed”. But, Nick is right there, ready to let him know that he is not a burden, he has no reason to apologize, and he wants to hear about all of these thoughts and feelings. He even lets Charlie know that he’s been scared to do certain things recently, but it hasn't been so frightening since he’s had Charlie by his side. They both make promises to each other, with Nick saying he will always be there for Charlie and Charlie promising to tell Nick if he ever feels this way again. It’s an emotional moment to leave the season on but a very heartfelt one at that. As author Alice Oseman stated, this was not originally in the graphic novels but something that was added for the show. This tiny bit conveys how important it can be just to talk about something rather than keeping it balled up inside of you and I, personally, am incredibly thankful that it was put into the series. It sheds light on what a positive queer relationship can look like, something that is not shown very often in media.

One of the best things about Heartstopper, besides the positive queer exposure, is that it doesn’t forget that there are other characters in the story, giving them room to grow as well. We see Tao and Elle’s relationship bloom, the romance finally taking firm root in the second half of the season. But, we also see Tao’s insecurities bubble to the surface and Elle’s desire to be somewhere where she can fully express herself arises. We experience Isaac’s navigation through his sexuality, his confusion and pain when he isn’t able to have “crushes” or feel romance like his friends do, and his euphoria when he discovers what aromance and asexuality are. We watch as Tara frets over, having said “I love you” to Darcy, especially since the three words are not reciprocated. We then learn Darcy’s side of the story, her homophobic mother, how she has to be someone else at home, and why she couldn’t say those words back to Tara immediately. We learn that this friendship group is her true family and her only real support system. We witness Imogen standing up to Ben and realizing that she wants to focus on herself after his poor treatment of her. Plus, we get an adult relationship between the two teacher chaperones for the Paris trip, Mr. Ajayi and Mr. Farouk. Including these two can be quite cathartic for those who missed out on being out of the closet in their teenage years. For a show that only has 8 episodes per season, they manage to put so much love and heart into each character without ever seeming too crammed or rushed.

Having been a fan of the graphic novels since 2018, this series, the topics they address, and the representation in it mean so much to me. The fact that the adaptation is so incredibly faithful to the source (thank you, Alice Oseman!) makes my heart BURST with joy since everything mentioned in the novels is so important and deserves to make it onto the screen. While characters like Oliver and Aled are deeply missed, the addition of new individuals, like Imogen in last season and Felix and Naomi in this season, is brilliantly done. Not only that but additions to the story itself are always implemented in the most exceptional ways, expanding upon the narratives originally written in the graphic novels. This season especially has done that spectacularly: showing the date between Tao and Elle, Darcy’s backstory, more discussions between Nick and Charlie, and, of course, prom! I could discuss this series and, more specifically, the implications of season two for hours on end. This show, these characters, mean a significant amount to many, especially those in the queer community, and season two has only solidified its standing as one of the most fantastic LGBTQIA+ and/or coming-of-age shows in quite a while. Heartstopper truly has something for everyone, and I cannot wait to see how the next parts of this story are tackled in the upcoming season three.

Heartstopper Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix! Check it out!

Written by Ashley Lavalle