Distracted

BY: ALLIE RUSSELL

With their biggest headlining tour on the horizon, Nick Anderson, frontman of The Wrecks, sat down for a press conference to discuss their upcoming “INSIDE: OUTSIDE” tour and the band’s latest project, INSIDE, set for release on April 11th. 

When asked about his favorite part of making music, Anderson emphasized the thrill of creation – the “holy shit, I made that thing” feeling when a song is finished. He described the process as exhilarating, likening the moment when a lyric lands perfectly to the feeling of “getting away with something.”

INSIDE comes as half of a larger project, with its other half, OUTSIDE to be released at a later date. The decision to release INSIDE and OUTSIDE separately stemmed from the sheer volume of music they had created. Anderson found himself with a large collection of half-finished songs that felt contradictory, making it difficult to form a cohesive album. Rather than forcing everything together, he decided to focus on a smaller, more defined section. “I can’t finish a record right now, but I can finish half a record clearly,” he explained. This approach allowed him to maintain artistic clarity rather than struggle to piece together an album that didn’t quite fit. 

Anderson hesitated to categorize INSIDE to a specific genre, explaining that genre isn’t really on his mind, especially when it comes to production. Rather than confining himself to a set style, he prefers to try new things and avoid repetition. Reflecting on the project’s creation, Anderson revealed that during the first year of writing, he felt like he had nothing to say. However, by pushing through, things started taking shape. INSIDE explores themes of isolation and introspection, encapsulating what happens when one spends too much time alone. As Anderson poetically put it, “The outside world starts growing through the cracks in the walls”

Unlike many artists who favor metaphor-heavy lyricism, Anderson prefers to write in a way that is direct and easily understood. While there may not always be a hidden meaning in The Wrecks’ lyrics, the raw emotion behind them is unmistakable. 

When asked which song he’s most excited for fans to hear, Anderson immediately pointed to the first track on the project, I Didn’t Use To. Clocking in at nearly five minutes, the song takes listeners on a journey through multiple concepts. Initially finished and submitted, Anderson later decided it needed a bridge – so he added another minute and a half to it. He called it “the song I’ve been trying to write my whole life.” We had the opportunity to hear it at the end of the conference, and the response is unanimous: it’s incredible. 

For the upcoming tour, Anderson hopes to perform most, if not all, of INSIDE. The band even consulted their Discord community to debate the setlist, making fan engagement a key part of their tour planning. The tour will serve as an extension of INSIDE, bringing its themes to the stage. While some bands opt for elaborate stage production, Anderson prefers a more stripped-down approach. He enjoys the flexibility of a fluid set list and vales the “fun in-between” moments, chatting with fans, making jokes, and embracing spontaneity. Anderson also shared one unexpected highlight he’s looking forward to on tour: the sleep. “I sleep so well in the dark tour bus” he admitted

With INSIDE set for release and the INSIDE: OUTSIDE tour kicking off soon, The Wrecks are entering an exciting new chapter. Anderson’s commitment to authenticity- both in his songwriting and his approach to performing- ensures that fans will experience something deeply personal, both in the music and on stage. INSIDE is only half of the story, and as The Wrecks take it on the road, fans will see how these songs evolve beyond the walls they were written in. The outside world is creeping in, and with it, The Wrecks are once again showing just how powerful music can be when it’s unfiltered and undeniably real.