Keith Wallen – This World or the Next

By starrymag | April 12, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) I’m kind of all over the place with my previous releases, but this album I would say it’s melodic hard rock with a bit of alternative and pop.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) I love all the bands from the 90’s grunge era, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, but Metallica is the band that really started my interest in playing guitar. Big fan of 80’s pop also, mainly because it reminds me of my childhood. I grew up with it. I would say The Police is my favorite band of all time.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Dream Away.”  

 

A) It was the last song written for this album, and it’s my favorite, which is usually the case when writing songs, the newest idea always sticks out a little more. My producer (Joe Rickard) and I knew we just needed one more song and we had a few other ideas that we were working on for it. Eventually we decided that none of them were quite right, so we started from scratch. Two hours later we had the whole song written, I love when that happens!

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) Well, I’m super happy and grateful if there’s a connection with any of my music, but with this song, even though it was written before the pandemic, I wanted to try and capture a certain mindset of isolation that I was feeling at the time. Then the whole world was thrust into this massive change, and having to deal with negative thoughts and isolation turned out to be a big part of 2020. Even with that said, the idea is also not to give up on the potential hope on the horizon, even if it’s just a reflective moment.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) The video shows a character escaping into a kind of virtual reality matrix in an effort to seek out and find some sort of life charge. In a way the simulation is a reprieve from whatever he’s being haunted by.  A mental escape to rediscover oneself and a search for whatever hope the future brings.

 

Q) How did you come to work with Loudwire.com to premiere the video?

 

A) Loudwire has been an amazing outlet for all things related to rock and metal music, as well as a supporter of Breaking Benjamin. I was thrilled that they were willing to embrace my solo efforts.

Q) What is your song writing process?

 

A) I usually start with a piece of music, some kind of riff, basic chord progressions. Then I try to come up with a melody that can be sung over top of the various parts. After that, upon listening to what’s there, I try to see what kind of images formulate in my head and use that to develop a subject or basic lyrical idea. Then, I focus on the lyrics and what I want to say in the song.

 

Q) Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) No, I feel you can go either way. There’s really no right or wrong way, as long as you like the result.

Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) I’ve always produced my earlier solo works because I kept them pretty simple and without a lot of instrumentation. But here recently I’ve had the help of some amazing talents in Colin Brittain and Joe Rickard. They are great at what they do, and they also do it every day, so all their input comes from a super fine tuned creative perspective. Colin produced one song on this album and Joe produced the rest, as well as playing all the drums! There are so many large and small decisions that have to be made throughout the course of writing and recording a project like this, so it’s been great to have someone like Joe there every step of the way to bounce ideas back and forth with. It was a really rewarding experience working with them both and I’m so excited for everyone to hear the album!

 

Q) What did you learn from your time with Breaking Benjamin that you’ve brought to your own solo work?

 

A) It has really just confirmed what I’ve always known, and that the most important thing is having good songs. So, I’ve really tried to focus on making whatever I write the best it can be and hoping that some folks out there will dig it. In addition to being a great singer and frontman, Ben [Burnley] has written so many good songs in his career, so it’s been amazing to experience how that connects with the fans. I feel so grateful that those same fans have welcomed and embraced us new guys over the last few years and I cannot wait to get back out there with everybody once it’s safe to do so.

Q) Your upcoming album This World or the Next is set to release this Spring. What are some themes you will explore on it?

 

A) The themes of life. Different experiences, perspectives, despair, hope, regret, acceptance.

 

Q) What songs on the album hold a special place in your heart and why?

 

A) “Dream Away” obviously because it’s my first new release in a long while. And I would say a song called “Wildfire,” mainly because I’ve held onto it for almost eight years waiting for the right opportunity to release it.

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from checking out this new album?

 

A) I hope it makes them feel something, whether that be that they are not alone in feeling certain things or that there’s always hope in uncertain futures. I hope that it’s an escape or distraction from whatever mental burdens life throws at us.

 

Q) With concerts currently on hold, do you have any plans for livestreaming to promote your new music?

 

A) Possibly. I’d much rather play in person shows, but we’ll see how everything goes.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) I think Miley Cyrus would be a cool collab. I love her voice and I’ve been digging her rock and roll vibe.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

 

A) Architects. Their new album is great, both sonically and writing wise.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) It’s always been important, especially now since live shows haven’t really been happening. Obviously, social media is a great way to keep track of what artists are doing and what they’ve been working on, but it really goes both ways. It’s a real blessing to see who all out there cares and supports me and my music. It really does inspire and drive me to keep writing and working.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) THANK YOU! I LOVE YOU!