Q+A with
...just recently, multi-talented musician Ian Keith Hafner released a CD of dark, industrial instrumental music under the banner of October Remorse. I got ahold of him via e-mail to see what was percolating with that and other things. I admit, it's not much of an interview (I banged out the questions in a hurry at the work computer after closing time), and hindsight being 20/20, there could have been better questions added. In any case, he was very candid, and very gracious, so without any further needless ramblings on your Uncle NecRo's part, here's the Q&A:
I'll start off with the obvious question, just to get it out of the way: Why'd the Freak have to die?
Most of the reasons are personal. I know that's a lame answer, but I'll try to explain the best I can... Because of those personal reasons, I was unable to be creative under that moniker and persona. Many of the things that made Angry Little Freak who he was have changed, and the whole point of view is gone, if that makes any sense. So it was time to change.
Additionally, I wanted a project that was more of a projection of me, and the person that I am, instead of a persona that I created. October Remorse, and another upcoming project that I just started, are much, much more personal. I was amused to find that just being myself, the music is much darker than Angry Little Freak was.
Your newest project is October Remorse. Tell us how that came about, and a bit about the CD that just got released (and is available for $8.99, so go get it now...sorry...).
After I laid Angry Little Freak to rest, it was clear that my musical career wasn't over. For one thing, there were some crazy people out there (you know who you are, and I love all of you!) clamoring for a new CD. And I can't really function if I'm not creating music. But with Angry Little Freak gone, I was a little unsure of how to proceed.
I played 18 acoustic shows this spring, just me and my acoustic guitar. It was such a drastic shift from what I'd been doing with Angry Little Freak, and it really brought me back to the basics -- playing skillfully, putting emotion, passion, and desparation into my voice. And with Angry Little Freak, it wasn't so much built upon music as it was built upon taking an idea, and trying to capture the feel of that idea, whether it's by playing a guitar, screaming, putting layer upon layer of effects/keyboards/etc, or whatever.
So playing live helped me get back to the "musician" side of things, and I wanted a project that would reflect that, but still let me capture an emotion like I did with Angry Little Freak. And I think October Remorse did exactly that. Listen to the songs, and I think you'll see that even without lyrics, the song titles are really reflected in the overall sound of the music.
Plus, I just wanted to play some guitar solo's! Any of you who have really dug into my past know that I cut my teeth playing
in heavy metal bands. I learned to play by learning, note for note, solo's by Kirk Hammett, Eddie Van Halen, Slash, and the rest of the classics -- and I wanted to incorporate some of that into my new project, especially on "Look Away" and "October Remorse."
So what's the name October Remorse all about? Is there a significance to the name?Yes. It's also something very personal to me. I know these cryptic answers suck, but hopefully it will come across in the music.
How's the Black Night Sky project coming along?
As of right now, it looks like it probably won't be happening. The music was completed last September, and we had originally planned an October 2006 release. Unfortunately, it didn't work out, and about a week ago, we decided to drop the project.
As much as we'd both love to complete it, it would take some drastic changes for us to finish the record.
Since it's recently happened, tell us what your thoughts on the whole Live Earth concerts, and the cause it stands for.
You know, I recently wrote a blog called "Why Political Music Sucks." I'm not a fan of people telling me how to live, whether it's a musician, a preacher, or an activist. But I realize that there are a lot of well meaning people involved with this, and I certainly applaud them for trying to make a difference.
Do you ever have dreams where you're stuck in a photo booth, and all of your pictures are coming out overexposed, and you try to scream but you can't because Keebler Elves are dancing on your tongue?
No.... but every now and then, I dream that I'm supposed to fill in for Ace Frehley (or Tommy, take your pick) at a KISS show, but none of my gear will work!
Life being the way it is, where do you think you'll be in five years? Do you see yourself still doing October Remorse, or are
there any other projects you'd like to do in the near future?"Life being the way it is..." Not sure what you mean by this, but my life is great... My wife is incredible, I've been blessed with a great music career, and things are good... Five years from now? Not sure what I'll be doing. It will be weird to cross the thirty year mark! I'll definitely still be playing, and I do hope to have some longevity with October Remorse. Angry Little Freak was around for six years, even with all of the ups and downs.
What are the chances of A. L. F. coming back from the dead? It happened once to Kandy Kane...
It happened once to Angry Little Freak, too, if you remember... but won't happen again. I would leave music behind altogether before resesutating Angry Little Freak.
Finally, tell us where we can snag a copy of the October Remorse CD, and then give us some words of wisdom to sign off on.
You can check out the CD and listen to two complete songs at www.octoberremorse.com. Words of wisdom? I'm just a musician...
| Master Nyte (Guest) | 10.0 / 10 | Wed 18 Jul 07 |
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This CD is friggin amazing . . .if you don't get it. . . you're a loser ;)
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