This post was submitted by Zack Rosen

First the bad news: Telekinesis, the one-man indie band of Michael Lerner, actually played in DC last week. So district residents just finding out about him will have to wait until his next tour (which is in the works) to check the guy out. The good news is that music fans in many other parts of the country have a chance to check him out in the coming days. His eponymous debut album comes out on April 7th, showing off the fact that one man can create a really big sounding record, replete with driving hooks, multi-instrumental bridges and enough majestic “oohs” and “ahhs” in the background to make any Arcade Fire devotee proud.

Lerner was nice enough to answer some of my questions about being straight. You can read the full interview and check out a Telekinesis mixtape below the fold

The New Gay: When did you first realize you were straight?

Michael Lerner: I’d say when I saw Wendy Peffercorn in the movie The Sandlot, I pretty much knew I was straight.

TNG: What is your least favorite stereotype about straight people?

ML: Being a touring musician, you have to sleep in the same bed as a person of the same sex for many nights. This is totally straight and completely normal. Head to toe works the best.

TNG: What obligations, if any, do you feel that you have to the gay community?

ML: I don’t feel like there are any obligations!

TNG: What are the biggest challenges faced by a straight person in today’s culture?

ML: I don’t see any challenges! Should I be seeing any challenges!?

TNG: If you had to “go gay” for one member of the same sex, who would it be?

ML: Anthony Bourdain. That dude is sexy, man.

TNG: Given the seemingly endless number of “indie” artist in existence today, how do you think you set yourself apart from the crowd?

ML: I’d like to hope that not ‘trying’ too hard is setting yourself apart, but I think not trying to hard can also come across as trying to hard. I think it’s cliché, but just being yourself (skinny jeans or no skinny jeans) is the most anti-hipster indie thing you can do. If you want to button the top button, just go ahead and button the top button already.

TNG: Finally, why should people come out and see you play?

ML: Because we have a raccoon on top of our kick drum. Or something.TNG

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