Tilly and the Wall, a five piece from Omaha, Nebraska, have been catching buzz around the indie scene for a few years now. Their energetic performances have earned them a reputation as one of the most fun bands to see live. They’ve also got a gimmick: rather than a drummer, Jamie Pressnall tap dances to produce the band’s percussion. With a new album on the way and a heavy touring schedule, Tilly is a busy band these days. Here are a few questions we asked lead singer and bassist Kianna Alarid; catch the band tonight at the Rock & Roll Hotel (with Capgun Coup and Pash, $12, 8:30 p.m.).

Tell me about the whole tap-dancer-as-percussion thing. How’d you think of that? While it definitely adds to your live performances, does it limit you in your options for writing or recording?

Jamie had tap danced in bands prior to Tilly, so it wasn’t an all together brand new idea. She had been tapping most of her life and I’m sure that it popped into her head one day to use that sound in a different way. It wasn’t a terribly thought out idea for Tilly. We didn’t have a drummer and we just needed to keep the beat. She busted out her tap shoes and tapped a beat onto a metal sign. We didn’t think about it too much, it just seemed right and it stuck.

It actually does the opposite of limit our writing process percussively. Can you imagine how many new things she can think up? She no longer does only traditional tap moves, she’s evolved her dance into a new kind of art. It’s really amazing to listen to. Now we can layer it over traditional drums and electronic beat, or leave it to stand alone.