A couple of years removed from Creeper Lagoon, Ian Sefchick tells Billboard.com his new band, On The Speakers, is a completely different animal than his erstwhile outfit. Creeper released two highly regarded studio albums from 1998 to 2001 but was never able to reach the proverbial next level.
"I think it is a little bit more exciting because it is a more exciting time in my life and there are new people helping me write," says Sefchick. "And, everybody has that thing that they do. In Creeper, Sharky [Laguana] and I were constantly treading over each other because we both sung, we both played guitar and we both wrote. But here, we all write, but I sing. And that is pretty mapped out so I think it is easier to get things done."
Together roughly a year, On The Speakers is writing at such a frenetic pace that as a lyricist, Sefchick says he often doesn't have time to pen the song's words. Currently, the quartet is readying its self-titled debut EP for a March release date with a full-length studio album to follow later in the year. The five-track EP will be distributed by Universal Records; however, Sefchick is unsure whether the band's debut album will be on the same label.
"It is weird -- I don't know exactly what the deal is with them yet," says Sefchick. "Apparently, they are distributing this EP and then they have an option or a match deal for the next record. I'm not really sure. It all kind of happened really quickly. I'm taking the attitude now of not what I can get, but what I need. And we needed somebody to put out the EP and give us a little tour support. So that is what's happening."
On The Speakers has been pegged as an opener for a few Nada Surf shows in early February, as well as with Sleepy Jackson and Earlimart in March. The Los Angeles quartet also plans on playing Austin, Texas' South by Southwest festival and San Francisco's Noise Pop Festival.
Currently living together in a house in L.A., Sefchick says he and bandmates Scott Ford (guitar), Anthony Improgo (drums) and Dan Horne (bass) feel a camaraderie that was decidedly missing from his Creeper Lagoon past.
"I'm definitely starting again, but the only thing I wish is that I could have done it earlier just because... I'm going to die sooner," Sefchick chuckles. "But I don't know. It is starting over definitely but it is cool. It is like I learned so much from Creeper. It was kind of like I was a freshman in college and now I'm moving up. I've learned so much more. And I was able to select people that not only musically but emotionally would fit together better. I'm just trying to be an artist this time around, instead of a rock star."
"I think it is a little bit more exciting because it is a more exciting time in my life and there are new people helping me write," says Sefchick. "And, everybody has that thing that they do. In Creeper, Sharky [Laguana] and I were constantly treading over each other because we both sung, we both played guitar and we both wrote. But here, we all write, but I sing. And that is pretty mapped out so I think it is easier to get things done."
Together roughly a year, On The Speakers is writing at such a frenetic pace that as a lyricist, Sefchick says he often doesn't have time to pen the song's words. Currently, the quartet is readying its self-titled debut EP for a March release date with a full-length studio album to follow later in the year. The five-track EP will be distributed by Universal Records; however, Sefchick is unsure whether the band's debut album will be on the same label.
"It is weird -- I don't know exactly what the deal is with them yet," says Sefchick. "Apparently, they are distributing this EP and then they have an option or a match deal for the next record. I'm not really sure. It all kind of happened really quickly. I'm taking the attitude now of not what I can get, but what I need. And we needed somebody to put out the EP and give us a little tour support. So that is what's happening."
On The Speakers has been pegged as an opener for a few Nada Surf shows in early February, as well as with Sleepy Jackson and Earlimart in March. The Los Angeles quartet also plans on playing Austin, Texas' South by Southwest festival and San Francisco's Noise Pop Festival.
Currently living together in a house in L.A., Sefchick says he and bandmates Scott Ford (guitar), Anthony Improgo (drums) and Dan Horne (bass) feel a camaraderie that was decidedly missing from his Creeper Lagoon past.
"I'm definitely starting again, but the only thing I wish is that I could have done it earlier just because... I'm going to die sooner," Sefchick chuckles. "But I don't know. It is starting over definitely but it is cool. It is like I learned so much from Creeper. It was kind of like I was a freshman in college and now I'm moving up. I've learned so much more. And I was able to select people that not only musically but emotionally would fit together better. I'm just trying to be an artist this time around, instead of a rock star."
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