Tyler Richardson wants what any Ohio State graduate wants: success. But when the 23-year-old Perrysburg native graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music business and exchanged hugs with his parents, he wasn’t looking forward to a lucrative career and big house.

Instead, Richardson returned to his former apartment and job at Subway on Lane Avenue, asking people whether they wanted their sandwiches toasted.

Believe it or not, he’s right where he wants to be.

For Richardson, success didn’t come with his diploma. Richardson said while he was working hard in school, he was working even harder on his band, Sighlo, of which he is the founder and lead singer.

Sighlo was formed during summer 2004 after Richardson split from his previous band. Originally, the project was going to be called “Minus One,” but a quick Internet search revealed the name was already in use. Richardson proposed the name Sighlo, inspired by the silos he passed during a trip home from a show in Michigan. And the slight change in spelling? There’s a reason for it.

“People are silent with their emotions until they start to build up,” Richardson said. “Silos are filled just like people are filled – with some kind of emotion.”

The band has since released two EPs and made a name for itself in Columbus. Not only has Sighlo headlined a show at Newport Music Hall, they were also the featured artist of the week on mtvU’s Best Music on Campus Web site in January.

“That’s what’s significant about Sighlo,” said Jason Rzepka, spokesman for mtvU. “They’ve already been on mtvU and the artist of the week page, and that is largely based on voting.”

But with graduation looming, Richardson knew he would either have to decide on a professional career or remain in Columbus with his band. Richardson said he made his decision after the release of the band’s second EP, “This Used to Hurt.”

“It was the first time that … I got people screaming back the lyrics to my songs,” he said.

Richardson said his band is talking to a few record labels, but for now, he has to work like anyone else. So, it’s back to Subway.

“The way I see it, it’s all an investment,” Richardson said. “Theirs was going to class, job fairs and getting internships. Mine was investing $40,000 on (the equipment) we have.”

Richardson is not the only one who has faith in the band. Chris Sakai, a senior in communication and recording, tunes and sets all the levels on the band’s instruments before each show.

“My parents tell me I have to get a job with a studio, but I told them that I want my future work to be working for Sighlo,” Sakai said.

Richardson’s commitment to the band keeps him anchored to his college way of life, while he watches his peers journey outside of Columbus. Luckily, he said, his classmates don’t think of him as a loser for staying.

“The good thing is they all know I am in a band,” he said. “When people walk into Subway, I generally talk to them and tell them about the band and our music.”

Jeffrey E. McCants can be reached at [email protected].