I would describe your music as a soundtrack for haunted souls.  Do you think it fits?

Erika:  I think that's a pretty fair description.  Our music is designed to be haunting, to linger in the psyche of the listener, and draw out that person's own sadness, their own inner loneliness and pain.  It should function as something which provides accompaniment to those emotions, which is how we create it; we look inside at what we feel, and then express it in the music and words.
Ted:  That description is definitely not a bad one.  To say whether or not I agree with it is difficult.  You see, when I composed the music, I took my personal emotions and expressed them within the melodies and lyrics.  For me, the music means something deep and sincere, yet I do not expect it to necessarily have the same effect on others.  It is written in such a way that it may evoke different emotions depending on the listener.  The theme carries feelings of sadness with slight tones of eroticism.  It has helped me release tremendous sorrow as well as tell a story of one tormented endlessly by such sorrow, as I am.

What are your lyrics about?

Erika:  We tried to reflect the overall emotional tone of the lyrics with the manner of music we put them to: sad to sad, triumphant to triumphant. After that, it's up to the listener to decide what the lyrics mean, to interpret them in their own unique, personal way.  That's why they are so vague.  We didn't want to be literal.  We are not like that.
Ted:  As far as the lyrics are concerned, referring to the previous question, they reflect deep feelings I've carried with me for years.  These feelings were united with a ficticious story that parallels my life.  The story shall continue in further compositions as long as there is inspiration.

What music do you listen to?

Erika:  I listen mostly to black metal, because that's where my heart lies. However, I don't limit myself to just that; I will listen to and appreciate anything that's well played and has a lot of heart, a lot of emotion in it. Lots of soundtracks, classical, ambient / avant-garde stuff.  I like really aggressive music, too, like good Swedish death, IN FLAMES, DARK TRANQUILLITY.
Ted:  I listen to a variety of music styles.  I have strong feelings for black metal and some of its views.  I also enjoy gothic, doom, classical music, dark-wave, and some soundtracks.  Some bands I enjoy are ARCTURUS, CRADLE OF FILTH, ULVER, THE THIRD AND THE MORTA, SATYRICON, and DEAD CAN DANCE.  Some of the composers I admire include Mozart, Beethoven, Poldouris and Doyle.

What's your opinion about suicide?

Erika:  Suicide solves nothing.  It's a poor solution to one's problems. Unfortunately, there seems to be a glamour surrounding suicide - I mean, look at Dead, some people would have never known or cared about who he was, except that he blew his head to pieces with that shotgun.  But I feel very sorry for anyone who is in so much agony that they choose that way out, even though I know I would never do that.  Not like I haven't thought about it; I had some rough times not too long ago, and I felt pretty bad, but what counts is that I didn't.  As far as valuing life, I value the lives of those who matter to me, those close to me, those in the scene.  But everybody else, the so-called 'normal' people, all those annoying, stupid people who bleat like sheep and follow whatever politician has the most money like lemmings, all those moralistic, blink idiots, I could just as soon do without them.
Ted:  Suicide.  An interesting concept.  I will share with you my view of suicide.  I personally value my own life very much, even though there are many days in which I carry the burden of severe loneliness and despair.  I try to be an optimist and use the theory that there is always another day to look forward to, and that I should give that day a chance.  Who is to say that life will improve, yet who is to say that it will not?  I have too many beautiful things within my life that I choose never to give up.  I have a lot to accomplish despite my sadness, and the music is my way to help myself cope, as well as to fuel my creativity.

What do you think about love, hate, and religion?

Erika:  Love and hate are two very powerful emotions that fuel my life and make me what I am.  They are both natural feelings, we all feel them, some just more intensely than others.  I, myself, grew up in a very hateful, angry, environment, so that had a deep impact on how my personality developed.  I am not an ogre, but I am not so sweethearted either.  I mean, I'm kind in my actions, I'm not out there tripping old ladies or shooting people that look at me the wrong way, but my personal philosophy is pretty black and mean.  As far as religion goes, I dislike basically all the modern religions, and I am especially anti-christian.  All my life people have tried to force the christian religion on me, and it always disgusted and sickened me.  I can deal with a person's religion if they keep it to themselves, but one of the trademarks of christianity is its damned pushiness.  The ancient religions, like those of the Norse people, the European pagans, even the Orientals, those were really honorable religions, but still, I wouldn't practice them.  I believe in few things that help me
through life, and that's all I need.
Ted:  Love.  Within me I have the capability to love so deeply that it is blinding.  In my dreams I love freely and without fear of any tragedy.  Yet, within reality I know that it is impossible to love one truly without despair.  Despite this, I would never wish to give up my ability to love. Hate.  Within me I have the ability to hate tremendously.  Yet, I try to subdue it.  I cannot let the power of hatred cloud my thoughts and true feelings, yet, I would be lying if I said there were things in this life which I did not hate.  Religion.  I do not believe in any form of organized religion.  I believe in my own personal views which I do not wish to disclose, but I do admire some of the ancient religions and myths (before the time of christianity).
 

  

Erika:  After Ted has a song mostly done, as far as music goes, it's up to me to find the right vocal melodies to put to the music so that everything fits nicely together.  Usually, I take an intuitive approach to it.  I just sing and let my voice find the right niches and notes.  When you force it, or try too hard to fit something in, it usually sounds bad, and gets junked in the end.  So we take a pretty easy going approach, and take our time. We're in no hurry, which is a good way to be.  I'd hate to have a record label staring down at me, going: «So, when is the next album going to be finished?»
Ted:  As I've stated, the inspiration comes from the feelings within me. Although, I enjoy listening to many styles of music, when I compose, the melodies come to me.  I don't sit down and try to compose, it doesn't work quite like that.  Sometimes a song comes all at once, sometimes in pieces. After I write a song, Erika works on the melodies and embellishments to further enhance the piece.

Do you think there is life in the universe?

Erika:  Interesting question.  Absolutely.  We humans are so disgustingly arrogant in thinking that we are the only intelligent life in the universe. I'm a big fan of those shows on TV that have the UFOs and the ghosts  and the supernatural happenings going on.  I'm pretty open minded when it comes to that.
Ted:  I do believe in other life forms in this world.  I've always been fascinated with the supernatural, and I have had some experiences which have satisfied some of my curiosities.

Do you have any particular nightmares?

Erika:  I have nightmares all the time, but they are pretty mundane by most people's standards.  Mostly personal things, not monsters or people trying to kill me, but just deep, personal things.  Sometimes, those are the most disturbing because you can't tell if they are real or not, until you wake up.
Ted:  I usually daydream and do not recall my nightmares, but I do recall one in which I did something horrible to someone.  What shocked me about this nightmare is that I didn't realize I was asleep as I did what I did. It makes me wonder about my ability to separate rational thought from passion and hatred.

What do you know about Italy?

Erika:  Italy is a lovely country with a rich history.  I went to art school, so we learned a great deal about Italian art and architecture, both ancient and modern.  America is such a boring country to live in especially when you look at in a historical sense.  It has no past.  In truth, I envy most Europeans, because your heritage is so much richer than the American people's.  Italy has always been on my list of places to visit when I make a tour of Europe (someday, when I have enough money!)
Ted:  I admire the historical and cultural value in Italy although I am not much one for warm weather.

What is your philosophy of life?

Erika:  I just try to stay true to what I believe in, and not forget who I am inside.  The daily grind I must take part in to pay my bills from college, and just to live as I wish, can sap you of your individuality if you let it.  Five days of the week I have to put my facade so that I can go to work and not be destitute.  It hurts sometimes, because I feel like I am lying to myself, hiding my true self.  It's just that so few people understand the true me, buta s long as I have those that do, I can face life as it is right now, until I can change it, and not have to waste my time slaving for someone else.  Hopefully, AUTUMN TEARS will help do that.  Also, I am writing a novel, so I hope to publish that and maybe others, and further free myself from the restrictions of 9-to-5 society.
Ted:  Yes I do, my philosophy I will share in part.  I deal with life on my own schedule and by my own values.  I believe in my feelings and the goals I have set for myself.  If I fail, I have only myself to blame.  But I do not intend to fail.  I have support and inspiration from Erika and AUTUMN TEARS, and that will carry me through everyday's war.

If you could become an animal, which would you choose?

Erika:  Without hesitation I would be a wolf.  I have had a life long passion for wolves, they are such beautiful, intelligent creatures.  There is much to be learned by studying the lives of wolves; we would do well to take heed of their wisdom and honor, and apply it to our own lives.
Ted:  I would become the phoenix.  This has very deep and emotional value to me, especially after this past year.  One of the main reasons is that throughout my life, when I could remember dreams, the one thing I could always do is fly.  The Phoenix is a mystical entity, reaching beyond the constraints of the earth and sky.  It is free and boundless.  Given the chance, it ahs the power to release those shackled by reality.

Plans for the future?

Erika: Lots and lots of hard work, careful work.  We want the next one to be ten times better than the first.  Neither Ted nor I can wait to get back in the studio; we would live there if they let us.  It's just so fun and satisfying, even when it's at its most frustrating.  We have already written two complete songs, and have various pieces of others floating around, waiting to be tied together.  Hopefully, everyone will enjoy this one as much as they seem to be enjoying «Love Poems...»
Ted: AUTUMN TEARS will release their second album, «The Garden Of Crystalline Dreams: Love Poems For Dying Children - Act II».  We are not sure when, as we can only write music as it comes.  That is all for now.

Who is your ideal listener?

Erika:  The ideal listener is really anyone with a dark, emotional soul who can be taken away by our music.  Other than that, I don't ask them to fit into any specific genre or scene.  If they can appreciate it, and if it does for them what it does for us, then they are the ones who should be listening to it.
Ted: The ideal listener is one who has felt the tragedy and deep emotion that we both have, and can relate with the music on a deeper level, than taking it at face value alone.  I composed this piece to reflect what I felt within my dreams and my heart.  I feel that someone who can feel this music for its passion as well as its aesthetic value, is truly an ideal listener.

... last words?

Erika:  Thanks for the interview!
Ted:  Thanks for this opportunity.  For the readers, ask yourself this... Why does life slip by as our dreams fade before us?  Sleep takes us all one by one... but when we awaken... what is left?

 

AUTUMN TEARS
P.O. Box 547, Billerica, MA 01821
Phone Number: 1-508-663-8871
Email: darksympho@aol.com