Kevin Bronson on April 17th, 2020

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The stay-at-home directive coincided with the time Spencer Petersen had set aside to write a new album. So in one weird way, it’s business as usual for the Sego frontman. In today’s QUARANTUNES, he talks about how this crisis might change us … and how he’s working on his studio tan.

THE LATEST FROM SEGO

Life in L.A. would be two measures more boring without Sego, the art-punk quartet who neoned the hell out of us with their 2019 album “Sego Sucks.” (Also, thank you to the state of Utah for letting them go almost a decade ago.) Founded by Spencer Petersen and Thomas Carroll and now including Alyssa Davey and Brandon McBride, the quartet trades in acerbic, deadpanned commentary in the framework of prickly, explosive rock songs. They’re the band most likely to work you into a lather and have you think “well, that was spot on” while the sweat’s drying.

HOW ARE YOU HOLDING UP AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MANAGE THE ‘STAY AT HOME’ EDICT?

Spencer Petersen: Playing music in Los Angeles for the past 10 years has taught me a lot of lessons on resilience, poverty, fear, van mechanics and … music. Possibly in that order. So, adapting to the new global norm and facing an uncertain future has been fairly casual as applied to myself. What has been more difficult is seeing loved ones, friends, and neighbors in more vulnerable positions really feeling the pressure of the heightened circumstances. Anytime I find myself feeling woe-is-me, I’m quickly reminded that this affects everyone and that there is actually a lot of room for me to be a help to others.

It so happened that, besides a few tours being canceled, I was already planning on my annual sequester to write a new record. Minus a few high-fives and taco nights, I’m more or less on track with my routine with the addition of more reading time and phone calls. Working on my studio tan.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO WHEN THIS IS OVER?

Spencer Petersen: Once it’s over and the fear/pain/financial stress starts to dissipate, I’m looking forward to seeing how this possibly refreshes appreciation of simple things (human connection, first-world luxuries, etc.), as well as reducing interest in broader differences (national, political, racial, etc). [Insert “We Are The World” backing track.] … Annnnnnd it will be nice to jump in a mosh pit again.

ANYTHING WE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PLAYLIST?

Spencer Petersen: The past few weeks on the inside have felt like a mix between rainy-day nostalgia, snow-day excitement (Utah reference), Richard Simmons workouts, Jack Torrance work ethic, Orwellian worldview, and the “Risky Business” underwear dance moves. Vacillating wildly between moods and outlooks. These songs cover the range for me.