What is Ghostland Observatory? That’s a tricky question. The Texan duo of Aaron Behrens and Thomas Turner fall into that category of indefinable music-makers that goes one of two ways: suck or soar. After Ghostland Observatory’s show at the Music Farm Oct. 24, it’s clear they’re cruising sky high.

Above all else, Ghostland aims to get people dancing, something nearly impossible to not do with frontman Behrens onstage. Arms, hips and those trademark braids all swung as he belted out lines from the song “Vibrate,” off their 2006 album “Paparazzi Lightning.” “It’s a hot night/ too hot to play it cool,” he screamed in his infectious, if sometimes incomprehensible, voice. 

Between high jumps and fist pumps Behrens picked up a guitar on several songs, ripping out riffs on top of Turner’s synth-powered drums and bass. Turner offers a needed balance to Behrens, stoically turning out music in a huge flashy cape. On top of all the energy of their music was an incredible laser show. Sweat and faux fog hung in the air as a myriad of colors shot out from behind the band across the room. More than one fan could be seen earnestly trying to grab a laser beam. 

Ghostland Observatory fills an important niche for fans of electronic music: they’re American, and their music is distinctly American electronic. Far too many chart toppers of the genre are Swedish, British, or at the very least, heavily influenced by the juggernaut of French electronic music. Ghostland, in their melodic fits of electro orgasm or just as commonly in their swagger of pure rock n’ roll, are a welcome alternative to DJs of Europe, frozen behind their tables.

Behrens thanked the crowd after the show and it was too natural not to be genuine. After all, Ghostland Observatory hasn’t followed what you might consider a traditional path to popularity. Forming in 2004, they created their own label, Trashy Moped Records, to do things their way. 

Behrens and Turner create their music, produce their own albums, manage their own tours and make no apologies. Charleston gave them a warm welcome and they deserved it, putting on what will certainly be one of the best shows this year. 

Their Web site, ghostlandobservatory.net (which they also operate, of course) describes Ghostland Observatory as “an agreement between two friends to create something that not only heals their beat-driven hearts, but pleases their rock ‘n roll souls… they have emerged with a sound that is the culmination of past influence and present inspiration, and can only be described as BALLSY.” 

It cannot be said better than that. Ghostland Observatory will return to the Southeast on Dec. 11 and 12, playing in Atlanta and Charlotte, respectively, to wrap a nationwide tour.