W: Bunty Harris
Born from the quiet isolation of lockdown and forged in the heart of Lincoln, Televised Mind are not your average indie-punk outfit. Formed in early 2023, the band is the brainchild of songwriter Ste, whose "spontaneous" creative burst during the pandemic has evolved into a high-octane four-piece that refuses to be put in a box.
Describing their sound as "indie-flavoured punk," the band sits comfortably in the grey area between genres. They aren’t quite "out and out" indie rock, yet they don’t fit the mould of a standard punk troupe. Instead, they lean into the fluid realms of post-punk and alternative rock, driven by a philosophy of doing what comes naturally.
"We’re not here to please anybody. The point is just to express ourselves and our message.
Despite their growing reputation, there is a distinct lack of "prima donna" behaviour within the ranks. Whether it’s arriving early to support opening acts or watching drummer James attempt the Herculean feat of eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner simultaneously during soundcheck, the band remains grounded.
The name itself—pinched from a Fontaines D.C. track—wasn’t just a random choice. For Ste, the phrase "Televised Mind" resonated with his own brand of social commentary, providing a perfect banner for the band’s fearless lyrical outlook.
The music industry is notoriously fickle, often obsessed with a specific "look" or age bracket. Televised Mind has felt the sting of these biases, but they aren't looking for sympathy.
"We’re pretty adept at rolling with it," the band explains. Their greatest strength? A collective, unshakable inner belief. However, this drive is a double-edged sword. The band admits their biggest weakness is a lack of a "stop" button. Their relentless effort to share their music far and wide frequently puts them at risk of burnout.
"Our greatest weakness is knowing where to draw the line and take our feet off the gas."
The creative process is a streamlined affair: Ste writes the core of the tracks on guitar, bringing them to James, Cal, and Matt as "fully formed" skeletons. The trio then adds the muscle, elevating the songs into the anthems fans hear on stage.
This formula has already caught the attention of industry royalty. Their "brightest and shiniest" track to date, Rumours, was produced by the legendary Gordon Raphael (The Strokes). "He understood what we were trying to achieve and just let it happen," the band says of the collaboration.
With a new EP currently in the works with Raphael, the momentum is only building. For those heading to a live show, expect a blend of high energy and humility. You might hear an unexpected Eminem sample, or you might just find a space to let off steam with a band that refuses to take themselves—or the industry—too seriously.
Televised Mind are levelling up. And they’re doing it entirely on their own terms.