Alteras – Grief

By starrymag | April 10, 2017

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) Alternative Hard Rock!

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) We have a lot across all the members of the band. I’d say the ones that reflect most in our music would have to be bands like Bring Me The Horizon, Armor For Sleep and Pierce The Veil.

 

Q) How did the band get their name?

 

A) Alteras is a Spanish word meaning “you change” or “you alter.” We basically found that to describe ourselves as well as our musical identity because we never really write to sound a certain way and as we change as individuals we expect that sounds to alter over time!

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Black Box.”

 

A) “Black Box” is pretty much a song about being stuck in a routine life and not being able to get out of it. It’s a song I originally wrote without a purpose, but after showing it to the band it found a home in Grief because of how well it fell into the theme the album began to generate.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) The style. Acoustic music is super universal, but it also manages to hit on a deep topic without feeling like too heavy hearted of a song. I’d like to think that people can relate and sympathize with the emotions that are conveyed.

 

Q) How does the video for “Black Box” play into the message of the song?

 

A) The video was a simplistic, vista based shooting. The video gives stimulating visuals that allow the listener to really focus on what they’re hearing and not be too distracted by a story being told or alternative messages that are often portrayed through music videos.

 

Q) Which track off your upcoming album Grief means the most to you and why?

 

A) Definitely “Could Ever Love” for me. It’s a song that mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted me. I remember hearing it for the first time when we finished recording it and just sinking into my seat, overwhelmed. It was a really intense time for us and I think the song really makes that transparent.

 

Q) Where did the album get its name?

 

A) We had the idea to call the name Grief because it almost feels like you’re going through all the stages of it while listening. You go all the way from the shock that is “Broke” to the moments of acceptance that is “Feel.” It’s an album we never intended to be conceptual, but it ended up being that way and we’re thankful for it.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) Often times, yes we do write the music before the lyrics. We write a ton of things and then pick them apart until they are exactly how we want them. “Grief” was written a little differently than the way we write now so it’ll be very exciting to see how our new strategies affect the music.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) A lot, we do almost all of it ourselves. When in the studio we work with our producer to make sure everything comes out exactly the way we want it to as writing is very personal and important to us. We’re the kind of band that will do everything we possibly can ourselves before we ask anyone for help.

 

Q) Will there be videos for all the songs or just certain ones off the album?

 

A) There may or may not be more videos off the album, it’s hard to say! At the moment we’re working on new music and that is most certainly our focus. We’d love to put out a single or two as soon as possible.

 

Q) You are headed out on the Beauty and the East Tour. What can fans expect from a live Alteras performance?

 

A) When watching Alteras live, you can definitely expect a show. We take performing very seriously and we aim to entertain not just musically but visually. I often tell people that if I can actually breathe during our set than I’m not trying hard enough.

 

Q) What songs off Grief are you most looking to performing live?

 

A) We LOVE playing “Broke,” “Everything You Wanted,” After All” and “Could Ever Love.”

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) Social media is our gateway to our fans! It allows us to meet and talk to people all over the world, which is incredible. Sharing our music and being able to find individuals that find solace or can relate to the things we write about is truly incredible and we have social media to thank for that.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work? 

 

A) Thank you all so much for your support, we cannot thank each of you enough for what you have given us the ability to do. If we could play in all of your cities every night and never have a day off we would do it without hesitation. We’re looking forward to being out on tour and meeting as many of you as possible and cannot wait to share all the exciting things that we’re working on!

 

 

All Questions Answered By Vocalist Jake Clasen