KJ Wallen
by Mister Mime
25rd July 2021
Keith Wallen’s latest single ‘All Eyes On You’ from his upcoming album ‘This World Or The Next’ is a call-to-arms for us all to live and act from a place of positivity especially in testing times like these.
The American musician is best known as the rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist in Breaking Benjamin, and his solo effort is teeing up to be a massive one, with ‘This World Or The Next’ poised for worldwide release next month. The album promises to showcase KJ’s incredible voice, songwriting and guitar playing skills but most of all guarantees to pack a heavy emotional wallop, the kind that true rock music fans crave and can’t get enough of.
MM: Where did the inspiration for the song 'All Eyes On You' come from?
KW: The inspiration for this song came from the idea of trying to live and make decisions from a positive place mentally. It's so easy to get wrapped up in the negative side of things. This song in a way is a battle cry to try and think more positively and to be ready when that positivity leads to better things.
MM: What is the concept behind the music video for the song and how does it augment the message/story of the song?
KW: The concept was to have various "watchers" throughout the scenes, whether they be bugs or other faceless nameless creatures, we really wanted to have that element of anxiety but also mixed with various other dark imagery. I wanted it to feel like there was something sinister lurking. It's not exactly what the song is about, but it's fun to try and make the videos a bit more out there and abstract.
MM: Who are the members of your current band?
KW: Currently the band is just myself, but there are a few outstanding musician friends that I'm gonna try and recruit to join me on solo tours if they are available.
MM: What is your creative and songwriting process like, as an individual and in a band?
KW: It's different every time. Sometimes I have an idea or a concept in mind before sitting down to write, other times there's just a blank page and I try to create and react to what moves me.
MM: How did music first come into your life? Have you always wanted to pursue a career in music and what was your path to becoming a record-breaking rock musician?
KW: Music was introduced to me by my father who was a vocalist himself. I didn't realize at the time that music was something that I wanted to pursue until I was introduced to the guitar by a good friend of mine. I've always had a love for music, but once it became something I could perform and create, my obsession with it really began. And as far as a record-breaking rock musician, I don't feel like I'm breaking any records haha, but I am thrilled to still be able to perform and create music and to keep putting it out there!
MM: How have your experiences with all the bands you’ve been in translated into your current project?
KW: Every band I've been in has been different, but the focus to try to make the best music you can stays the same. I've just tried to learn as much as I can and to appreciate all the time and all the great musicians that I've performed with over the course of my career. Really every life experience, in general, helps to give you things to write about as far as translating to my current project. Everyday life translates.
MM: Who are your biggest musical influences?
KW: James Hetfield, Chris Cornell, Freddie Mercury, Peter Gabriel, and these are always changing.
MM: Who/what are some artists & people from other disciplines and walks of life, places & things that inspire you?
KW: Bo Burnham. He just released a Netflix special called 'Inside' where basically he recorded and filmed himself over the course of the pandemic last year. It was really well done and brilliant I thought, and to mentally push through all the scary uncertainty of having to be locked down, and to still be creative. Impressive.
MM: What/who are some records/artists that you listen to currently?
KW: Architects, Ice Nine Kills, Bring Me The Horizon, Miley Cyrus, Elton John, Billy Joel
MM: What do you enjoy doing apart from making music?
KW: Camping!
MM: Can you share some memorable moments from your musical career?
KW: Breaking Benjamin was playing at the same festival and the same stage as Alice In Chains, and we were on our way to check our guitars and in-ear monitors, and as we were walking up Jerry Cantrell was walking from the other direction back to the dressing rooms and as he passed he casually said hello to us. I don't know the moment just stuck out to me, because one of my heroes just said hello. It was surreal and awesome.
You Can Follow KJ Wallen on:
https://open.spotify.com/album/2MHcPaTdVTqMKH8XnyGr5z
All Images Courtesy of KJ Wallen
