Stellastarr Frontman Juggles Music and Screenwriting

Posted on Jul 13th 2009 1:30PM by Benjy Eisen
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When some rock bands achieve a decent level of initial success, they might use their time off to indulge themselves in the perceived pursuits of rock stars: sipping tropical drinks on a topless beach with supermodels or perhaps lounging about poolside at their new crib. Not so for Stellastarr* vocalist/guitarist Sean Christensen. During the band's unofficial hiatus, Christensen took up a second job -- as a screenwriter.

"I write screenplays," Christensen tells Spinner, casually. So far, he's completed two scripts, sold them to studios (Scott Free and Warner Bros.) and one of them is in pre-production while the other is currently attracting a director.

"The first one, 'Karma Coalition,' is a science fiction thriller," says Christensen. "The other one, 'Sidney Hall,' is more of a smaller, indie film about a young prodigal writer who writes the book of a generation and then it ends up sort of destroying him."

You know, with an obvious calling in Hollywood, some people might start thinking of Stellastarr* as Christensen's side gig. But they'd be wrong. The band is back full-force with a brand new album entitled 'Civilized' that they just released on their own label. Sure, it's been four years since their previous disc but, apparently, they were busy doing other things. The new album is a glorious return to the raw rock of Stellastarr*'s early days and the band has just hit the road for a summer tour. So, Sean, don't quit your day jobs. Either of them.