“A creative space needs to be an environment where you can fail, feel vulnerable, and not respond defensively.”
— Ian Shelton
Allowing their mutual creative spark to guide the process brings a unique satisfaction, enabling spontaneity to shine in an industry where meticulous planning is often required—similar to how touring inhibited their desire to write ‘God Save The Gun.’ “It was incredibly raw, [how the album] flowed out without any planning,” Ian recalls, reflecting on those spontaneous moments. “There was immense joy in creating this record. Even though the songs tackle serious subjects, there are countless wonderful memories associated with its creation. We aimed to fully embrace everyone’s intimacy and vulnerability.”
Despite an ongoing emphasis on male mental health, it remains surprisingly rare to see five men being this open with each other in society. In an era where figures like Andrew Tate and Elon Musk spread toxic notions of masculinity among young men, the genuine demeanor of Militarie Gun’s members stands out even more.
“A creative space has to be an environment where you can fail, feel vulnerable, and not react defensively,” Ian asserts. “I’m at ease with failing in front of others and expressing thoughts that may not resonate.” This principle—one of the cornerstones of Militarie Gun’s creative process—is arguably as crucial as the themes of the songs it brings to life.
The narrative of ‘God Save The Gun’ kicks off with the intense ‘B A D I D E A.’ Admitting he’s “been slipping up,” the album’s lead single was a last-minute addition that Ian originally composed for a Doja Cat hardcore record. “Trying to put someone else’s perspective into it made it work,” he confesses.
“I was actively making mistakes in a way that made me uncomfortable,” he adds. “It’s a process of bingeing and purging, where you follow your instincts for a while and then step back to assess everything you’ve done. Before ‘Life Under The Gun,’ I had never consumed alcohol, and by the end of the touring cycle, I was drinking every day, starting at noon. The essence of this record is discussing addiction from a personal viewpoint.
“At a certain point in life, you continuously try new things, and eventually, you begin to quit things. We toured with Manchester Orchestra, and I stayed sober for the entire tour. On the last night, to celebrate completing the tour, I started drinking again. I was really trying to understand the boundaries of my situation. Can I achieve moderation? Unfortunately, I’m not a moderate person, so it’s not attainable for me.”
“My current goal is to maintain my present state,” he reflects today, perhaps equipped with improved strategies to handle any potential relapses. “I’m happier, more reasonable, and a bit less fun. From an outside perspective, my life may seem entirely positive, but there are significant emotional lows as well.”
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