To Begin Anew has created a unique and dynamic sound featuring songs that are melodic, powerful, and full of energy.
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Cody Boyette - Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
Casey Wagner - Drums/Vocals
Shane Noren - Bass/Vocals
Chris Vance - Lead Guitar
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to To Begin With? How long has the band been around?
We have all been in the music scene for a good portion of our lives, so with that as you can imagine, we have all been in several bands over the years. Shane played bass with eastern North Carolina band, Hollow Intent prior to joining To Begin Anew. Chris founded another eastern North Carolina band Death of Uriah, which he is still a part of. That's just a couple from our long list. To Begin Anew formed in January of 2020.
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
Cody - To Begin Anew was a name that Cody came up with. It initially was a working title that ended up sticking around. To Begin Anew, for us, was a new chapter in our lives. A fresh start musically to make something new and different for our area.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
Cody - I typically write most of the music but it's the simplest form of the song. I always try to keep things simple when writing new songs. The magic really happens when I bring the new song to the guys, and we all begin to add our flavor to it. With all of us having different musical backgrounds, you never know what a new song is going to turn into.I try to write songs that are impactful. I enjoy writing songs like poetry and always have a point I like to make. I strive to write songs that are meaningful and have a statement to make.
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
Cody - for me, it’s Alter Bridge and Shinedown.
Casey - for me, it’s Maylene & the Sons of Disaster and Every Time I Die.
Shane - for me, it’s D.R.U.G.S and Scary Kids Scaring Kids.
Chris - for me, it’s Spirtbox and Lamb of God.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
Cody - I grew up listening to Nirvana, Green Day, and Metallica and as a kid, I always wanted to be what I saw in those artists.
Casey - Avenged Sevenfold and CKY at the House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, SC for the City of Evil tour.
Shane - for me, it was The Used.
Chris - Stone Sour in 2008 at The House of Blues in Myrtle Beach, SC.
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
Cody - I have a 15 minute vocal warm up I do and then a bit of stretching to get loose.
Casey - I always stretch my arms, wrists, and legs.
Shane - I stretch and hydrate.
Chris - I usually clear my head in the van and get focused in.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
Cody - for me, we had two shows that will always hold a special place. We performed at Blue Ridge Rock Fest in September of 2021 where not only did we perform in front of over 40,000 people, but we got to share the stage with bands we’re all fans of. Then in October of 2021, We performed at Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point where we were able to perform for members of the Marine Corp and their families. It was awesome to be able to do that for them.
Casey - Being able to meet all the fans. The van rides are always great too.
Shane - Just being able to have the opportunity to perform live music.
Chris - All the traveling and being able to be actively playing shows as often as we do.
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
Cody - I would choose Alter Bridge. They inspire me across multiple fronts. That whole band is super talented, and I see a lot of similarities between their style and ours. They have a broad spectrum to their sound.
Casey - He is Legend or Motionless in White for me. We saw Motionless in White at Blue Ridge Rock Fest in 2021, and they put on an amazing show.
Shane - Nirvana, because it’s Nirvana.
Chris - Cane Hill or Meg Myers for me.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We would just like to say Thank You to all of our fans! To those who have been there since day one and the ones that will be checking us out after this interview. We appreciate your unending support and giving us the drive to keep doing this. Follow us on all of our social media by searching for To Begin Anew, and check out our website at www.tobeginanew.com.
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