Keith Wallen of Breaking Benjamin. Photo Courtesy of Atom Splitter PR.

Keith Wallen, the guitarist of Breaking Benjamin, chatted about his forthcoming solo album “Infinity Now,” which will be released on May 3rd via Rise Records.

“I am super excited for this new album to come out,” he exclaimed. “We are starting to slowly letting the songs trickle out a little bit. We are super stoked.”

Song selection approach for the new album

On the song selection process for the new album, he said, “I’ve approached it like I always do. I try to write from a real place and I use life experience and things that make me feel a certain way. Any kind of inspiration from this crazy trip that we are on called life.”

“It was a super exciting time for me to start this partnership with Rise Records. I put my best foot forward as far as the writing goes. I am really stoked with how all of these songs came out,” he acknowledged.

“A lot of these songs were inspired by a certain event that I went through. I had an experience with Ayahuasca and I had a psychedelic thing that I went through, and a lot of things that I experienced in this episode of session were very inspiring to me. I used some of those ideas and I tapped into the creative side of my writing. It was definitely a journey,” he elaborated.

“Also, I can’t wait to hit the road and play some of these songs live,” he added. “It is going to be fun. Between all of this and my busy schedule with Breaking Benjamin. I’ve definitely got a handful this year.”

‘Headspace Holiday’

Wallen noted that “Headspace Holiday” is about taking a well-needed mental break. “I think that’s really important to recognize, and bring it out in the forefront and talk about it more. Mental health affects a lot of people, even more than they want to let on,” he said.

Favorite song on the album

For the time being, he listed “Don’t Fall Asleep” as his favorite tune on the album. “That was the last one I write before heading into the studio. I wrote it in my basement, I made a demo, I lobbied for it, and it was able to make the album,” he said.

“The production by Kevin Thrasher was great, and I was really stoked with how it turned out,” he said.

When asked about his personal favorite song from the Breaking Benjamin catalog, he listed “Breath” and “Dance With The Devil.” “Those songs are fun to play live,” he admitted.

The digital age

On being an artist in the digital age, Wallen said, “I think a lot of musicians have slowly come around and accepted that we all have to do this. We all have to wear multiple hats… You have to market yourself, you have to make TikTok videos and do so much promo.”

“If you want to make music in this new digital age, we need to adapt and get on board with some of that stuff,” he added.

Future plans

On his plans for the future, Wallen said, “I want to do more. There is not enough time in a lifetime to make as much as I want to make while I am alive on this earth.”

“Today, I just announced that I will be playing some festivals with the solo band and that will be around when my album comes out, so that will be exciting,” he said.

“I would also like to do an album release party at some point,” he added.

Career-defining moments

Regarding his career-defining moments, he said, “Every single moment that I’ve experienced has helped define me. You want to keep learning in whatever you are doing each day. I am sure there will be a lot more for me to learn coming up.”

Stage of his life

On the title of the current chapter of his life, he revealed, “Adapt and strive.” “The one constant in life is that things are going to change, and you just need to adapt and keep going through it,” he said.

Dream collaboration choice: Metallica

Metallica would be Wallen’s dream collaboration choice in music. “Honestly, I would just want to be in a room while they create something… and if they want to put my name on something somewhere, that would be cool,” he said. “If I just sat in the room while all of that happened, that would be okay for me.”

Wallen also praised Alter Bridge lead singer and frontman Myles Kennedy for being an “absolute genius vocalist.” “I would love to tour with Alter Bridge… That would be amazing to watch him sing each night and just try to sink all that in,” he said.

Stage of his life

On the title of the current chapter of his life, he said, “Gratitude.” “I am happy to have a career in music and I am happy to be here and to be healthy and to make making music,” he said.

For young and aspiring artists, he said, “Believe in yourselves, follow your own vision and your own hearts. There will be a lot of adversity. Keep working hard and don’t give up.”

The Paramount in Huntington

Wallen declared The Paramount in Huntington on Long Island as “one of his favorite venues.” He has had the privilege to play there several times over the years with Breaking Benjamin.

Success

On his definition of the word success, Wallen said, “My idea of success is being able to play anywhere in the world and at least 500 to 1,000 people showing up. That would be success to me.”

Closing thoughts on the new solo album

For his fans and listeners, he said, “With this solo album, I want people to know that I exist. That’s the most important thing. They might know of Breaking Benjamin but they have no idea that there is a member of the band that has his own voice and has his own music. This is not a hobby; it is very much a passion and a real career direction.”

“Infinity Now” is available for pre-order on digital service providers by clicking here.

To learn more about Keith Wallen and his solo music, visit his official homepage, and follow him on Instagram.