Behind The Tracks: Karlan G - Rest Up (Single) (2024)

Inspirations

Hawthorne Heights is always an inspiration for me when I’m writing. But a majority of my inspiration comes from my own imagination. I paint entire movies in my mind when I’m in the creative writing process of making new music.

“Rest Up” was written about personal experiences I was dealing with in 2023. Granted some parts of this song are completely over exaggerated but what isn’t these days?! I obviously didn’t drive my crash my car or drive it off a cliff and die.

But everyday I did feel like I was throwing my life away for something I could never have and I traveled to some very dark places in my mind. However, accepting that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side was the turning point to all of this.

Recording & Writing Process

This song came so naturally to me. I remember leaving the gym immediately after getting the instrumental track and going straight to the studio to record. I’m almost positive I wrote this entire song in one sitting.

I also don’t completely write words out when I’m recording. I typically have an idea of what I want to say and then freestyle ideas to get a melody and work around that. Songs are like a puzzle, I just fit pieces together as I go.

Favorite Part of Your New Song “Rest Up”

I love the entire song but I admit that I love the ending of the 2nd verse and the final chorus. There’s so much emotion and energy that I always thought I had but had never expressed it in any of my songs leading up to this.

On Switching Music Styles From Rap to Post-Hardcore

I’ve always loved this style of music. If my 7th-grade self knew he’d be making songs like this he wouldn’t believe it!

But what pushed me towards this direction were Alec (guitar) and Jordan (drums).

They always talked about creating this style as a group and so I took the initiative to just start testing the waters. After I made “Falling,” I knew that I could find a home in this genre because it feels so natural and my voice sounds pretty decent!