31. Inside the Post-Hardcore Grind with William Langlais of Arlo Wells

Ep.31: There’s a difference between playing heavy music and feeling it. And few bands capture that balance like Arlo Wells. In this episode, I sit down with Vancouver-based musician and producer William Langlais, co-founder of Arlo Wells, a post-hardcore band that’s as melodic as it is heavy. We get into the band’s evolution, their approach to writing songs that actually feel good to play, and the discipline it takes to stay creative while juggling real life. Will shares how he became the “band dad,” why delegating can make or break a project, and what it really means to stick it out in a DIY scene. We also talk about burnout, the love-hate relationship artists have with social media, and why genuine community (not virality) is what keeps the music alive.We Chat About:The evolution of Arlo Wells and how the lineup changes strengthened their soundNavigating post-hardcore, metal, and emo influences without over-engineering the musicWhat it’s like balancing creativity, production, and band managementWhy delegating early can keep your art from burning you outThe cost of chasing a dream and the balance between passion and stabilityHow local scenes and IRL connections still matter more than algorithmsThe difference between short-term hype and long-term successAbout Arlo Wells:Time and time again, bands get carried away trying to build themselves up as something bigger than their predecessors. When it comes to Arlo Wells however, their message is as plain as day: no gimmicks, no bullshit, just great songs and the drive necessary to build a career in music. Arlo Wells was formed by William Langlais, Austin Smith-Greaves and Alex Chapman in 2017, after parting ways with their former projects Air Combat and After Our Juliet. Understanding their place in the scene, Arlo Wells' approach has been to write songs they connect with, with little concern for trying to reinvent the wheel. If it speaks to them, that's where they take it. The band played their first show in late 2018. The positive feedback they received was the push that propelled them to take their show on the road. After a few more local shows and their first tour, Arlo Wells hit the studio in 2019 to track their debut EP "Rosewood". Teaming up with producers Tim Creviston (Misery Signals, Spiritbox) and Jordan Chase (Secret & Whisper, Stutterfly), the band spared no expense in building an unforgettable first impression. Reminiscent of nostalgic post-hardcore, with hints of their external influences poking through their arrangements, Arlo Wells paints a picture of heavy alternative music, while keeping it new and exciting. It's all about taking your craft seriously, and Arlo Wells are no exception.Connect with Arlo Wells:Website / Links: linktr.ee/arlowellsInstagram: @arlo_wellsOther Resources:Follow the OFFICIAL “loves music” playlist on Apple Music: ​​https://music.apple.com/library/playlist/p.4Y0J406i03DQrX“loves music” playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0qE3kq89oyg3tFNbmRfHEO?si=vopaKQnNS8OHn0r2fFTVBgCheck out the “loves music” podcast website: https://www.podpage.com/loves-music/Julian on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julian.jones.9484Julian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianjones417/Julian on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@julianjones417Check out Julian’s book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B6QYX6RLMusic Mentioned in this Episode:Songs:Siren – Arlo WellsAlbums & Projects:Rosewood – Arlo Wells (EP)Fresh Cut – Arlo Wells (upcoming EP)Artists & Bands:Arlo WellsSleep TokenArchitectsAlexisonfireHouse of ProtectionPoppySpiritboxAmy Lee / EvanescenceMagnolia ParkIn FlamesKings of LeonThe Latency