Interview with Hans Mortensen - English Version

(Alter Me)

19.01.2009 von Thomas Kröll

Alter Me is an Alternative-Band from Denmark. In Germany they are quite unknown yet. Singer and bandleader Hans Mortensen has lived for 15 years in Greenland and his experiences there are reflected in Alter Me`s music and lyrics. The result is a sort of melancholic but absolutely authentic Alternative Pop/Rock. Beside Mortensen Alter Me is: Kasper Rassmussen (guitar, organ), Nicolai Westh (guitar, organ), Jesper Van (bass) and Esben Brandt (drums). Their first album "The Fall" will be released in Germany on January 30th, the next Single "Love" one week before (watch the video here). Shortly before the release we had the opportunity to ask Hans Mortensen some questions about the past, present and future of Alter Me.

I saw you live in Cologne last year in December as support for Wolf Parade. Have you been satisfied with the tour?

Hans Mortensen: Yeah, very much, it was our first concert in Germany, and everybody
was really nice to us. So we're looking forward to coming back!

Hans, you saluted the fans in Cologne in German. Do you speak our language?

Mortensen: No, actually not. I learned the frase from Adam, our drummer, who's the German speaking guy of the band.

Does the band`s name Alter Me mean something special? Something like Change maybe?

Mortensen: Yeah, it's meant to be somekind of a statement. Like a sarcastic way of saying "no, you can't change us!".

A little while ago, Jesper Binzer, Member of the Danish Metal Band D-A-D, said in an interview: "In such a small country as Danmark you can`t survive, otherwise a tour is finished after four days". Would you agree to this?

Mortensen: Hmm... don't really know, but it sure is hard to make a living from making music in Denmark, mostly because of the small population.

You are singer, guitar player, piano player, composer and songwriter of the band. What a part play the other four bandmembers then?

Mortensen: Well one part is the instruments they play, but with their different and great personalities they play just as big a part as me.

Did you never think about starting a solo-career?

Mortensen: No, actually not. I don't think I would be happier alone at all.

You have lived 15 Years on Greenland. In your lyrics you describe very often feelings of loneliness, fear or escape. Would you say that you`re songs are a kind of Autobiography?

Mortensen: Yes for sure. The songs on "The Fall" are all very self centered really, all written when I went to Denmark after living in Greenland most of my life. I felt very alone and without any roots the first years in Denmark, and writing songs kind of got me out of that feeling.

Is it true, that ten of your schoolmates have committed suicide during your school-days in Qaqortoq?

Mortensen: Well I know and know of about 10 people or more. Two of them were close friends. Unfortunately it's a coming thing in Greenland.

At the end of January "The Fall" will be released in Germany. I`ve already listened to the album and I think it`s a really great one. What do you hope will happen afterwards?

Mortensen: I think we all hope to get some kind of a fan-base in Germany, so we can go down there and play a lot of concerts!

The songs remind me a bit of Coldplay, R.E.M. and The Beatles. What sort of music do you listen to?

Mortensen: Thank you for mentioning the Beatles! We love them! But all sorts of rock music from the 60's preferably.

Will you return to Germany this year?

Mortensen: We are planning to be in Germany a lot in 2009, as you know the record is coming out in January/February! So we hope to see a lot of happy Germans jumping around when we come down to play gigs!

What are your plans for the next future?

Mortensen: To go to Germany. (grins)

We expect you. Thanks a lot!

This interview was taken by friendly support of Oliver Bergmann (www.oktoberpromotion.com).

The German Version of the Interview you can find here!

Amazon, Musicload, Napster & AOL-Download