We’re calling it now—NYC rock band Telescreens just released one of the biggest rock albums of 2026.
The third album from Jackson Hamm, Austin Brenner, Josiah Valerius and Oliver Graf, titled Why The Lights Flicker, is out today, capturing the band’s immersive live energy and everything they’ve worked toward as a quartet since the band’s inception. Released independently after the band parted ways with their label earlier earlier this year, the project an untamed and ambitious collection of 20 high-energy tracks, with an expansive sound that encapsulates the legacy of New York City rock while also being unmistakably Telescreens.
The title refers to the unexplainable synchronicities in life and how we’re all just one tiny part of an impossibly big picture—and once you understand that and tune in, it becomes possible to be at one with the universe and harness its energy toward your destiny. Why The Lights Flicker is proof that rock and roll lives on, and we had the pleasure of chatting with the band to learn all about its creation in the interview below.
Sweety High: How did the band come together? Can you each introduce yourselves and your roles within the band?
Telescreens: Jackson is our lead singer, guitarist and writes the lyrics. Austin is our bassist and background vocalist. Josiah plays keys and synths. Oliver plays drums. Jackson and Austin produce and mix, and Josiah produces as well. He’d probably mix too, but he’s clinically hard of hearing so tough luck.
Oliver and Jackson met first. Oli was childhood best friends with Jackson’s younger brother. Whenever Oli would go over to their house, Jack would try and steal him to play drums with him. Fast forward, Austin, Josiah and Jackson met at NYU’s Clive Davis and hit it off immediately. We ended up making our first album, The Return, on our computers with programmed drums. We had one show where we were triggering drum loops and it was a disaster. We immediately started looking for a drummer, swearing off the click track forever.
Shortly after, around 2019, Jackson runs into Oliver in NYC. Oli is at NYU but had given up on drums. He came to the studio anyway to feel it out and immediately we all connected and knew this was our path forward. We’ve been together ever since.
(Photo credit: Art Davison)
SH: Why did the idea of Telesceens from George Orwell’s 1984 feel like the perfect name for the band?
Telescreens: In 1984 a telescreen is used as an instrument of manipulation and oppression. We flip that on its head and use music as an instrument of truth and liberation.
Also read about: Ike Dweck Discusses New Single ‘The End of Me’ and His First-Ever Headline U.S. Tour
SH: What does the album name Why The Lights Flicker mean to you? Why did that title feel like the perfect way to sum up this project? Does the album actually answer the question of why the lights flicker?
Telescreens: It’s just an example that we are apart of something bigger than ourselves. When we make music, we just aim to be a vessel. Call it what you want—god, the universe. The lights sure as hell flicker, but it’s up to you to find out why.
(Why The Lights Flicker via +1 Records)
SH: This is a big project with 20 tracks. What made you decide that was the right choice for this album?
Telescreens: It could have been more. We just made and recorded a bunch of songs we love and they all ended up fitting together.
SH: How would you describe the album’s sound? Production-wise, how did you go about bringing these tracks to life?
Telescreens: Heavy, live, honest. We did a two-week lockout at The Bridge in NYC. We rehearsed all the songs we had, got our friend Alex Poeppel to engineer, and gave those songs everything we had.
SH: How do these songs represent where you all are in life right now? Was there anything about writing it that helped you understand yourself better?
Telescreens: We’ve all been together seven years now. The only thing we care about is being the tightest, hardest hitting band alive. Making the most honest and exciting music we can. Learned a lot about dynamics and balance this album cycle.
SH: Do you each have a favorite song on the album? If so, why?
Telescreens: Not really. It changes by the day. “Comedown,” “Nothing” and “The Fall” are some that are pretty consistent.
Also read about: Madska Talks Growing Up Too Fast and New Song, ‘Kill Switch’
SH: What do you think you’ve learned about yourselves and making music since you started the band, and how does that come across with this album?
Telescreens: We are still full of passion for this thing we have and we still love it. Every album is a reminder that making art is a labor of love. This was probably the hardest one yet, because of how maximalist it is. But that’s what it required of us and we are proud we saw it through.
SH: You have some tour dates on the East Coast starting next month. What are you looking forward to most?
Telescreens: Every single one of them. We love every one of you that comes out to our shows! It’s always a magical time.
SH: Is there anything else we should know?
Telescreens: This album is a cinematic experience! Take your time with it. There’s highs and lows, twists and turns. We hope it takes you away and helps you find why the lights flicker.
Check out Telescreens’ upcoming shows here:
- June 13 – Tompkins Square Park – New York, New York (Free show!)
- July 7 – The Gaslight – Nantucket, Massachusetts
- July 8 – The Gaslight – Nantucket, Massachusetts
- July 18 – The Stephen Talkhouse – Amagansett New York
- Aug. 6 – Toads Place – New Haven, Connecticut
- Aug. 7 – Stone Pony – Asbury Park, New Jersey
And listen to the album in full here:
For even more on our favorite music out today, click HERE to read our interview with MICO on “Do it all again” and so much more.
