Ahead of his band Be Well’s new album, scene staple Brian McTernan stops by Inside Music to speak on creativity and aging.
Brian McTernan needs no introduction, but we’ll give him one anyway. Brian is a producer and musician whose work in the alternative scene has influenced some of the most notable records of the last twenty years. Everyone from Texas Is The Reason to Darkest Hour, Circa Survive, Sharptooth, and more owe a few thanks to Brian for his work behind the boards. But like all great creatives, Brian has stories he wants to share, and that’s what people get on the new album from his incredible hardcore band, Be Well.
The heavier side of alternative music is sometimes written off as being reserved for young people. When teenage angst meets the struggle to survive adulthood, creativity blossoms in a unique way that often expresses itself through heavy music. Many of the greatest hardcore albums are written by people in their late teens and early twenties who are speaking to experiences recognized by their peers. Those same listeners age, just like the musicians, but the embrace of heavy music often fades along the way.
Be Well is an exception. While their music can and will inspire young listeners, the band’s work speaks directly to the lives of those deep into adulthood. The group’s latest record, The Weight And The Cost, tackles the frustrations of parenting alongside the constant struggle to understand ourselves. It’s in McTernan’s ability to speak on both topics that magic is found, and the resulting recordings are sure to provide comfort to many during these uncertain times.
On this episode of INSIDE MUSIC, Brian chats with host James Shotwell about his history in production and how the challenges of creative expression change with age. The pair also discuss the influence of Brian’s former band, Battery, as well as the way his work will be remembered in the years to come.
