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 Seriously
the Band created their name on the spot, signing up in 2006 for Asian
American talent competition Kollaboration. One friend’s constant use –
or abuse – of the word “seriously” in every sentence and every phrase
permanently implanted the word in their heads and was subsequently
scribbled onto the registration sheet and into perpetuity.
The
band’s four members –Chris Pham, Joshua Baek, Nathan Park, and Phillip
Park – hail from Diamond Bar, California, and met at their local church.
Though music had always been a part of their lives, even from an early
age, being full time students and holding down regular jobs made it
difficult for them to pursue a career as professional musicians and
artists.
But
all that changed when they won Kollaboration 2006 and signed under
label Chaos Theory Music. They may not make millions, but being managed
gives them the freedom to focus their time and energy on doing what they
love.
Seriously
has come a long way from when they first started, letting themselves be
pressured into a more commercial sound so as to fit into the music
scene, despite their members’ varied tastes ranging from funk and jazz
to heavy rock. In fact, they experienced – and still sometimes
experience – frustration and arguments as they push each other to try
new things.
As
they’ve grew closer, however, the quartet have been able to fuse their
individual interests together and aim for a more electronic rock sound,
says Baek, Seriously’s electric guitarist.
The
ability to meld their classically-trained musical prowess with their
eclectic list of influences and an honest look at life, love, and
relationships only adds to their many charms. But it didn’t happen
instantly.
Pham
– who plays the keyboard, guitar, and vocal chords – jokes: “I think
it’s kind of like a Pokemon. You have to put time in to your Pokemon for
it to evolve.”
Another
key to Seriously’s success as an indie-rock band is their ability to
balance their musical passion with normal life – and having space apart
from the band.
After
releasing their first EP, “On Your Mark Seriously,” the four-man outfit
has been spending time back in the studio, releasing subsequent
singles, playing local shows, collaborating with other artists on
YouTube, and preparing for an upcoming album release – all the while
juggling work and school.
“Other
than music, we all have our own lives, like school, work, and
girlfriends. I feel like other musicians probably have the same thing.
We just have other priorities. Not to say this isn’t an important thing,
cause this is an important, serious thing,” quips Pham.
“It’s
actually good to do other arts in a sense too,” comments Philip, the
band’s drummer and resident violist (that’s someone who plays the
viola). “I personally feel that exercising different parts of my
artistic development will help with my musicality, and I experience
these life lessons, which helps us in our music.”
As
long as they are true to their music, says bassist Nathan, everything
else will fall into place. As the young twentysomethings, they realize
that anything can happen and look forward to where they may find
themselves in the near future.
“We’re
keeping ourselves open to other areas of our lives,” continues Nathan.
“We’re not separating everything into compartments, but kind of seeing
the whole as one unit of life.”
It’s that real-to-life attitude that makes them a seriously great band. Seriously.
Be sure to like their FACEBOOK, follow them on TWITTER and subscribe to their YOUTUBE. Also be sure to check out their official WEBSITE!
Interview By: Patrick Tomas and Michelle Nakaji
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