Interview: Telekinesis's Michael Lerner

Everybody Taste recently chatted with Seattle musician Michael Benjamin Lerner, who under the nome de plume Telekinesis, released his second full-length album today—the dark and bass-heavy 12 Desperate Straight Lines. We chatted about recording with Death Cab For Cutie's Chris Walla, Lerner's preference for analog tape, his adoration of the band Flin Flon, and the album's excellent grimy and fuzzy bass guitar.

I understand you wrote the majority of 12 Desperate Straight Lines during the winter in Berlin on a 9 to 5 routine. Why Germany? And why the schedule? Were you just determined to start generating new material?

Yes! True. I was going through a lot of stuff in my personal life (breakup, health issues), and I had always dreamed of picking up and going to a place that is foreign and uncomfortable to write music. Berlin seemed to be like the best choice purely because I knew some people there to hook up an apartment, and a practice space. I mean, it turned out to be the perfect situation. I got a killer room in an apartment in an amazing location, and rented a rehearsal space that had a drum kit and a guitar amp and a bass amp in it. It was just so perfect. And it was amazing and cold and snowy and I got to explore and hang out with my friends. I feel completely lucky to have had that experience. I wrote a lot of songs that I am very proud of there. Like "50 Ways," "I Cannot Love You" and "Car Crash." It was fun to follow in the footsteps of Lou Reed, David Bowie and Depeche Mode.

Cheers: Friday Dance Jams

In the famous words of Steve McQueen, "I live for myself and I answer to nobody." It's Friday, enjoy yourself and let these songs be your weekend's dance-infused guides. Cheers.

The xx - "VCR (Matthew Dear remix)"
Chubby Checker - "Let's Dance"
Yelle - "Ce Jeu (Bill Eff's Love 1987 Remix)"
Miami Horror - "Holidays" (feat. Alan Palomo)"
Kisses - "Kisses"
Orange Juice - "Blokes On 45"
Robyn - "Indestructible (Dance Edit)" 
New Order - "Temptation (7-inch version)"

Before Blogs: Mixtapes and Soundtracks

With no internet and several bad radio stations, my musical taste during my youth was predominantly shaped by my older sister's mixtape collection and the soundtracks to my favorite movies. The latter being an especially bumpy road when you have a Van Damme obsession (Street Fighter) and like the Quad City DJs (Space Jam). But then my sister left for college and the remains of her CD tower were pillaged: most importantly, the amazingly eclectic Joe Strummer-produced Grosse Point Blank soundtrack and Trainspotting—the disc that turned my classic American rock churning stereo onto the likes of Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Pulp, Brian Eno, Blur, and David Bowie. I ate it all up. And none more so than New Order's "Temptation"—a song so deliriously satisfying it remains my favorite to this day. Thank you Mr. Danny Boyle—you have wonderful taste.

New Order - "Temptation" (from Trainspotting)

Mirrors - "Hide and Seek (demo)"

I have a big thing for New Order. In fact, their 1982 single "Temptation" is my favorite song of all time (if you've ever seen the movie Trainspotting, it's an oft-quoted running motif). With that in mind, I always keep my ears out for fellow dance- and synth-friendly Brits with a knack for melody. Lately, I've been tuning into Brighton four-piece Mirrors. The band—who currently has two singles out via Moshi Moshi Records—has as much a thing for New Order as they do for Depeche Mode. The two influences can be heard in Mirrors' wide open spacing and unhurried sense of timing and development. In many ways, the best notes are always the ones that seep into your brain the slowest.

Mirrors - "Hide and Seek (demo)"

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Download Mirros via Emusicand Get 25 Free MP3's

The Drums - "Saddest Summer"

Yes, summer is finally over. But if you listen to Florida's The Drums, it won't ever feel like it. Meshing the Factory Records sound of quick rhythmic guitar licks and programmed drums à la New Order with lush harmonies and a fascination with surf culture, the group has released it first EP, the aptly titled Summertime!—out now on Twenty Seven Records.

The Drums - "Saddest Summer" (from Summertime!)

Addicted to the Drums: "Let's Go Surfing"

New York quartet The Drums are a wildly addictive group fascinated by the surf culture of the 1950s and the late 70s/early 80s Factory Records sound. Combining harmonies and whistling that could find a home in an early Beach Boys album with rhythms and bass lines popularized by Manchester bands like Joy Division and New Order, the Drums' music provides a welcome spin on two beloved eras.

The Drums - "Let's Go Surfing" (from Let's Go Surfing)