Part II: Friday, January 20th, 2006 from 11:05PM to 1:06AM
circusofdust: What's going on?
circusofdust: ?
IamAltere: hey
IamAltere: sorry
IamAltere: was away for a bit
IamAltere: whats up?
circusofdust: not much, man. just woke up from a massive nap. groggy... you?
IamAltere: im getting ready to fall asleep. I have to wake up at 5 Am for an 11 hour work day.
IamAltere: naps are bad aren't they...screwed up my entire metabolism while at college
circusofdust: yeah
circusofdust: but whatcha gonna do?
IamAltere: i agree...i can't help it. After a hard day, you just give in to the soft pillow.
circusofdust: definitely. let me know when you gotta get to bed....
IamAltere: when you run out of things to throw at me
IamAltere: i get 3 hrs sleep max on a friday-saturday
IamAltere: meaning i usually go to sleep 1 or 2 AM. Yeah...saturday at work is a bitch...
circusofdust: how so?
IamAltere: Well, I am tired as heck. And i have to do 11 hrs of work. Plus thats when I have to supervise, so i run around like crazy all the time. Sometimes i just pretend to do work b/c I am just too tired.
IamAltere: But you have to do it and earn your money
circusofdust: are you guys open every day? are there any things you do enjoy about your job as bank supervisor?
IamAltere: The bank is open 7 days a week with crazy hours. I don't particularly like working at the bank at all. I don't mind taking responsibilty for things when my boss is out, which is what I have to. The only thing I do enjoy at the job is the people around me ae really cool and I get to act like a jackass and they like it. Other than that, I can't stand customers nor the redundancy or everything around me. I am still very helpful to people though...which after 3.5 years is surprising.
circusofdust: how many hours a week do you put in?
IamAltere: varies from 24-30 hrs. I probably will be putting in 30+ from now on. I have 2 jobs.
circusofdust: what's the other one?
IamAltere: I'm a handyman for a couple of hours one day a week and whenever else I can be.
circusofdust: last time we conversed you were talking about how your parents dictate your life. how does that affect your musical career?
IamAltere: Tremendously...when I had a band in High School they were very vocal in trying to make me stop. It did stop and I quit music towards my senior year. Now this project reared itself and they don't know about it at all. They try and stop whatever creative thing I do. They are practical/traditional. I am a dreamer, thus a great conflict of interest alway arises. I can't write or do anything creative for that matter. My relationship with them is a double edged sword. I need them, I can't survive without their support especially because I make so little money and things are so expensive here. But I still love them and I kind of like how they push me to be a realist sometimes...but it has it's obvious negative effects on my confidence and since I am their experiment(i have a younger brother), the results so far have not been great. But I am glad I have what I have because many do not.
circusofdust: what about moving away? has that ever seemed enticing?
IamAltere: I may be a pussy in saying this...but I am very scared of leaving and being by myself. I am scared of being thrown out and thrust into a world where things cost so much...and I would make so little. I am fairly sure I woudl survive, but on scraps. I do not think I can handle it emotionally. I don't know if my psyche can handle that. I like to be left alone yes, but I like to live with someone close to me. I am close to marriage anyway, so moving away will happen at some point within the next couple of years. Funny thing is...I am not dependent on anyone. Whatever I make, I provide food, clothing and entertainment for myself. I pay my bills and some house bills as well. The only thing I am worried about is most likely the biggest thing...paying rent. Which would literally take 95% of my monthly paycheck.
circusofdust: rent in NYC sucks, I bet
IamAltere: let me tell you how much...
IamAltere: a basement with rats in an ok neighborhood would run you $700
IamAltere: I make 900 tops if I would work full time
IamAltere: right now I make about 600 per month
circusofdust: what about moving elsewhere, where the living expenses aren't so high?
IamAltere: The guy I work for as the handyman, his thing is in a very popular place near Union Square. He charges $3000+ rent for a tiny ass subway apartment. And that is actually reasonable.
IamAltere: I thought about that and right now it's a very strong possibility. The nly problem is I have a phobia of driving and getting a job would be really tough. But if my writing pays off at some point afteryears of struggle, I would definitely move out of the city. I find it way more beautiful and entertaining out of NYC.
IamAltere: I really do not see the appeal of NYC anymore. It's sad really...but people think it's "Americas capital"
circusofdust: yeah, I guess it is as far as population and finances go, or would you disagree with that statement?
IamAltere: I agree with both. It's just not a fun city. I don't do bars or nightclubs and I hate that life style. I started to hate crowds and the quality of some of the people here is absolutely horrendous. Not a lot of nice people...although when you do find them it makes you feel really good.
IamAltere: Hey I found something positive to say about my music wanna hear?
circusofdust: I like bars. :-D small ones with cheap liquor that is.
circusofdust: sure
IamAltere: lol
IamAltere: I am straight edge
IamAltere: I have seen too many people ruin themselves by that life style here...
circusofdust: I believe you
circusofdust: sXe
IamAltere: the positive thing...
IamAltere: I am proud of not being within the norm of one genre. You can call me ambient, doomy, gothic, at times or whatever, but I like to flip flop and I am proud of that. At least I don't clearly sound like one or two bands. I hear people comparing my music and my modus operandi to a slew of bands, which I really like.
IamAltere: there I used your word
circusofdust: thanks :-)
IamAltere: I can't believe I said something remotely positive...
circusofdust: Altere = the musical equivalent to John Kerry (flip-flopper)
IamAltere: lol
IamAltere: Hey I give financial backing to democrats, republicans and independent candidates
IamAltere: ...not really...
IamAltere: lay some tough questions on me. I will answer anything...almost anything...
IamAltere: even other bands
IamAltere: or people
circusofdust: are you chronically depressed?
IamAltere: No
IamAltere: what would give you that idea?
circusofdust: you're always down, it seems. or perhaps you're easily discouraged?
IamAltere: I think I look at things realistically. And realistically speaking...there are a million people out there that are better/more talented than I.
IamAltere: I don't think I am easily discouraged. I still write even though my parents said I suck at it.
circusofdust: even aside from music, what do you truly enjoy?
IamAltere: Writing obviously...and I really enjoy spending time with my girl and my best friend. Those things make me really happy. I also enjoy reading a lot of books/magazines. In theory that's all I need in life besides the basic necessities.
circusofdust: I could handle that, too.
IamAltere: cool..see...us artists we don't need much just a slong as you let us do what we want and don't impede our progress
IamAltere: I really love my girl though...there is just that...unbelievable, unreal feeling that I get when I am with her. I can just melt away when she holds me. It's weird...I feel safe...yes I am a pussy. I am very very emotional. I cry like a bitch sometimes.
IamAltere: But I can still kick your ass
IamAltere: NYC style hoosier bot
IamAltere: boy
circusofdust: lol
circusofdust: hoosier bot
IamAltere: yeh that made weird sense lol
circusofdust: the long-lost Transformer
IamAltere: lol
IamAltere: they are making a movie of that, I can't wait for that.
circusofdust: have you ever engaged in physical fighting?
circusofdust: like "Fists of Fury" shit?
IamAltere: Yes in Poland. Here in America I mostly got picked on.
IamAltere: I am a quiet kid....that might one day go postal.
IamAltere: Besides I feel that if you do not get into an unecessary confrontation or you don't react, it makes you smarter and the better man. It's always better to just walk away.
IamAltere: if you're angry go play drums or something...
circusofdust: yeah, I do that when I get home from work sometimes, just to blow off steam
circusofdust: works!
IamAltere: yup, I know someone here too who does that. Works for him.
IamAltere: Do you have a girl?
circusofdust: nope
circusofdust: dated someone for about two years, broke up a year ago, and have had a couple of prospects since then, but nothing's worked out
circusofdust: all I do is work, write, and sleep these days! :-P
IamAltere: lol...same here mostly..though I have the girl...
IamAltere: You plan to move out on your own?
circusofdust: well, yes. I applied to various graduate schools, and the closest one is about 5 hours away. I'll be attending the school that accepts me this fall....
IamAltere: sounds good...good luck with being a teacher :-)
circusofdust: thanks! I'm looking forward to it, but I'm more looking forward to further honing my writing skills
circusofdust: I'll be shooting for an M.F.A. in Creative Writing
IamAltere: understandable, done with the book yet?
circusofdust: working on it! I'm AIMing for 06/06/06....
IamAltere: lol
IamAltere: excellent
IamAltere: hasn't that like...been established that it;s not the sign of the devil?
IamAltere: isn't it like 639 now or something?
IamAltere: migh have been very recent
circusofdust: something like that. I'll probably be overshadowed by Bin Laden anyhow, since there's supposedly an attack scheduled for that day, too.
IamAltere: lol...yeah you can't compete with that...seems like there is an attack scheduled every day
IamAltere: I hate subways
IamAltere: that thing can happen any day in any subway station and thousands of people will die
IamAltere: and we can't stop it
circusofdust: yeah, I don't understand how he thinks he's going to exterminate America. I mean, there are way too many of us...
IamAltere: It doesn't matter. It's putting the fear in us. The fear that we can't walk the streets safely anymore and do the routine things that we always do.
IamAltere: that's more damaging than anything
circusofdust: yeah, I suspect much of the population is fearful. I, however, am not.
circusofdust: are you?
IamAltere: Not really. I have to live with the consequences and I am willing to. Life would be boring without fear.
IamAltere: or the possibilty of something happening
IamAltere: I could use like a jedi force field around myself...would be nice...
circusofdust: so what are you going to do the rest of the night?
IamAltere: Probably read something. I might drift off on a few minutes though...
IamAltere: in
IamAltere: Have you decided how you're going to present this?
IamAltere: raw and uncut baby...or in Altere's tradition since I have 60 minutes to make a song...ill give you 6 minutes to edit this piece...
IamAltere: seriously though...if you strip down my oposososo morendnaci the music sucks right?
circusofdust: I'll probably present it uncut, unedited. Like "Altere Gone Wild," or something
circusofdust: I won't answer that last question! read my reviews, when they're posted that is. ;-)
IamAltere: yikes...
IamAltere: well...either way you will still get 1 more demo...and that's it...hehe
IamAltere: I just don't ever want to be one of those bands that takes the spot of someone talented and always gets asked the question " Uhh wait...why are you doing this?"
IamAltere: because there are tons of awful projects out there. I am starting to feel like I am one of them...
circusofdust: are you 100% positive you're not going to continue Altere? I mean, you'll never get a Behind the Music episode or anything if you throw in the towel so soon....
IamAltere: the only thing that can save me is a label signing me
IamAltere: I will give it an honest push
IamAltere: behind the music...lol...yeah that would be something
IamAltere: I should surround myself with a bunch of musical geniuses and play the cow bell or the spork.
IamAltere: A few more minutes...so lay smething good on me....
circusofdust: Uhh wait...why are you doing this?
IamAltere: lol
IamAltere: damn it...
IamAltere: I am one of them!!!!!!
circusofdust: thanks for the logo
circusofdust: in the email
IamAltere: no problem
IamAltere: no pictures of myself though
IamAltere: sorry
IamAltere: the world might never know how Altere looks. Probably for the better...I don't need people throwing things at me here in the city.
circusofdust: that's all right. I'll try to get all this stuff up on Sunday. :-) I'll send you an email with links and shiznit
IamAltere: when will the other review go up?
circusofdust: on MetalReview?
IamAltere: yeah I was being candid
circusofdust: nice!
circusofdust: heh heh. it'll go up on one of the very first days of February.
IamAltere: sounds good. You know what pisses me off? I probably sent out around 50+ cds and got like 5-10 reviews only.
IamAltere: At least you can say I suck and be done with it...
circusofdust: ha ha. did you not follow up with the places you sent discs to?
IamAltere: I did with a few, no answers.
IamAltere: bullshit...this costs me money
circusofdust: I'd just keep pestering them
circusofdust: where'd you send them?
IamAltere: most notable Metal Observer, Brave Words, and a ton of other websites
IamAltere: I know Brave Words won't do anything...but those websites...come one...
IamAltere: I would get like a 1/10 from Aaron Small
circusofdust: I'm talking with TMO right now, and mentioned it to them. I'll see what they say.
IamAltere: I need stuff for my press sheet. And I can't go on like 5 reviews only...
IamAltere: that's like another obstacle I don't need.
IamAltere: nor should be there in the first place
IamAltere: I think I sent TMO about 5 copies or something...different times.
IamAltere: sigh...even your world is against me jason...
circusofdust: "Pieces" has been sent to Wesley, so you should see another review within a few months.
circusofdust: it takes a while with TMO since it's so large, and everything is translated into German for the German website.
circusofdust: :-)
IamAltere: all right, cool, thanks
IamAltere: I just feel like since I sent so may out...most were tossed to the trash
circusofdust: unfortunately, that does happen
circusofdust: not with the places I write for, though
circusofdust: or discs simply get neglected, especially if the band isn't signed to a label
IamAltere: yeah i know...that really sucks in general.
IamAltere: I put an honest effort into making something different...and it gets neglected. I don't care if I get zeros or extremely negative reviews, just as long as people understand my music and someone out there can say that they truly feel what I did. It may not be the best thing out there, but I sure as heck tried to portray what I wanted in a sort of respectable manner.
circusofdust: you know what they say: no press is bad press
IamAltere: I'm trying to read between the lines for your review...hehe...
circusofdust: you will read them soon enough! after your 11 work day.
IamAltere: I know...I know not to expect much anyway.
IamAltere: Is there any other ambient labels you can direct me towards?
IamAltere: and what's JWW's label again
circusofdust: Audio Savant
circusofdust: Cold Meat Industries does some ambient stuff, but I don't know much about them
IamAltere: Yes I considered them as well, unfortunately their contact info is awful
IamAltere: I don't think they want to be bothered
circusofdust: some labels are like that, especially Hydra Head. you should check out their demo submissions page, just for kicks. heh.
IamAltere: oh yeah I remembe rthat
IamAltere: he he
circusofdust: funny stuff.
IamAltere: time for one last question
IamAltere: make it count
circusofdust: Do you like movies about gladiators?
IamAltere: lol
IamAltere: does that have homoerotic implications?
circusofdust: Airplane movie. :-)
IamAltere: I like movies that are good
IamAltere: ...yikes...yeah Wesley is giving this one a 2
IamAltere: good reviewer
IamAltere: all right
IamAltere: that's it for me
IamAltere: one last thing to say...
IamAltere: hmmm...
circusofdust: keep UM readers in mind...
IamAltere: Just do what you want to do. Altere supports all your dreams. But don't do it if you suck...or at least not as much as me :-)
IamAltere: wait...
IamAltere: buy my music!!!!!
circusofdust: ha ha
circusofdust: all right, man. it was fun.
circusofdust: I'll send you links ASAP.
IamAltere: likewise...thansk for the opportunity
IamAltere: correct my mistakes damn it..my fingers ae too big for the laptop keyboard
circusofdust: adios, man.
IamAltere: later, good luck with everything
circusofdust: you too. you should sign off to make it an official ending, and then I can save the conversation. :-)
IamAltere: right right
circusofdust: bye!
IamAltere: here I go...prbably last words of Altere in "web print"
IamAltere: wait
IamAltere: last words will be
IamAltere: I love you honeybun
IamAltere: honeybun(Lisa Lau)
IamAltere signed off at 1:06:14 AM.
UltimateMetal’s Review of Altere – My Blood, My Tears
UltimateMetal’s Review of Altere – Pieces of I
Official Altere Website
Official Altere MySpace Website