The NYC indie rock band Telescreens channels feelings of rage, burnout, and numbness into a communal experience with their intense single “Nothing,” illustrating how noise serves as a means of survival in the city that never sleeps.
Sometimes, the sensation of feeling nothing can actually signify a multitude of emotions. Whether it’s an existential crisis or simply a haze of ennui, that void can affect us more profoundly than anticipated. For Telescreens, hailing from NYC, this emptiness does not remain silent. As soon as “Nothing” begins, it feels essential—a fierce eruption of indie rock that needed to escape before causing damage to the band. The song is both polished and raw, pulsing with intensity, urgency, and a driving force that transforms emotional turmoil into a decibel level conducive to survival.
Telescreens emerged between Manhattan and Brooklyn and have been active since 2020. They are known for converting emotional overload into physical expression, translating feelings of burnout, pressure, and disillusionment into electrifying indie rock, perfect for packed venues and shared emotional experiences. The band consists of Jackson Hamm (vocals/guitar), Austin Brenner (bass), Josiah Valerius (keys/synth), and Oliver Graf (drums), and they have gained recognition for their dynamic, electrifying live performances, alongside several audacious and powerful studio releases that encapsulate that same raw energy.
Their single “Nothing,” which was released on October 28th via +1 Records, is their only release this year, following 2024's critically acclaimed album 7 and the announcement of their signing with +1 Records, indicating more is on the horizon. While some bands may opt for a gentler return, Telescreens delivers one of the most powerful and intense tracks of the year. The band sounds as if they are pursuing something just out of reach, pushing every emotion to its limit until it evolves into a shared, cathartic experience that feels larger than life. It’s unrefined and relentless, yet within the chaos lies clarity—a realization that this song is not merely an expression of anger but is striving toward something deeper.
The lyrics hit hard and unfiltered, constantly echoing the central theme: You don’t feel nothing. This refrain is designed to be shouted back—words that are meant to resonate collectively, illustrating how numbness can be transformed into connection and isolation shattered by sheer volume. As the band puts it, these are “simple words that we all wanna scream together. We all just wanna feel less alone. Screaming together is how we feel less alone.”
This notion of communal expression lies at the heart of Telescreens' identity. When asked what they wish new listeners would know, their message is straightforward: “Rock n roll lives.” There’s a genuine belief in the ability of loud music to convey emotions that can’t be expressed quietly. The song “Nothing” encapsulates a moment when emotion manifests as action—written in what they describe as “an instant moment, rage/anger boiling over from a desire to feel.”
For the band, the essence of the song revolves around endurance. "This song is about fighting on. Pushing through what makes you uncomfortable because maybe there’s something better on the other side,” they explain. “It’s a relinquishing of control. The comforting bliss that accompanies acceptance of uncertainty. If people go wild listening, the song has done its job.” You can feel this surrender in the music—the way it charges forward without hesitation, relying on its momentum to find meaning.
This philosophy is intrinsically tied to being a New York band. Telescreens articulate the city’s relentless pace: “We score the rat race. We embody how people feel in the Mecca. It’s tough surviving here. The pursuit of wealth and glory fuels this city. We all yearn for a moment of clarity, when everything makes sense for an instant. We aim to bring ourselves and others to that moment.” “Nothing” embodies one of those flashes—brief, dazzling, and profoundly human—a moment of insight amid the city’s unending noise.
Alongside “Nothing,” the band released two additional tracks, “Gimme All You Got” and “Alcoholism,” each resonating with its own significance. "'Gimme All You Got' felt like a premonition," they share, written months prior to a tragic event that gave the song a haunting context. In contrast, “Alcoholism” delivers a candid exploration: “My best friend overdosed, and I had much to express. The entire piece is freestyle and largely unedited.” Together, these three songs paint a picture of grief, pressure, and perseverance presented without filters.
At its core, “Nothing” embodies release—not escape, but self-expression. “I hope [listeners] feel better after listening,” the band remarks. “That’s the crux of music: to help you feel whatever it is you need to feel. Clean you out
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The indie rock group Telescreens from NYC channels feelings of anger, exhaustion, and numbness into a collective expression with their intense single “Nothing,” reflecting how noise serves as a means of survival in an always-awake city.