Live Video: Telekinesis at SXSW

Live Video, SXSW, Local Music
04/02/2013
Dillon Sturtevant
photo by Dave Lichterman

Today marks the release of Dormarion, the third full-length from Seattle power pop project Telekinesis. The band was in-studio this morning celebrating its released, and a couple of weeks ago they played a bunch of material from the new album for the crowd assembled at Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop in Austin, TX, for KEXP's broadcast during SXSW. Michael Benjamin Lerner, the primary force in the band -- inasmuch as he sings and writes the material but also provides the literal force of their performances by drumming as well -- treated the crowd to a high-energy set of new tunes that showed how comfortably he inhabits the sound of his project. The pull of Telekinesis' songs is their simplicity combined with the cathartic, indie-rock exuberance of the band's performance. The sound is tested and true -- fuzzy, chunky power chords, the earnest and straining quality of Lerner's endearing voice, and interesting melodies -- the kind that get stuck in your head for days. Lerner can write a damn good hook, and can further sell it with the live show, especially while joined by an all-star cast of Erik Walters from The Globes on guitar, Eric Elbogen of Say Hi on bass, and Rebecca Cole of The Minders and Wild Flag on keys. Check out their vibrant performance here:

Full Performance:

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