Celebrating Over October's nine-year musical odyssey
Filipino alt-rock band Over October celebrated their ninth anniversary at 123 Block in Mandaluyong City, sharing the stage with a roster of musical talents, including Lola Amour, Maki, Martti Franca and David la Sol.
Before hitting the stage, Over October sat with Young STAR to talk about the band's remarkable journey, the lessons they've learned, and their newest single, 123.
An hour can seem like a lifetime to some, but for Over October, nine years flew by in the blink of an eye. “Looking back at all of the things we’ve gone through,—not just the ups but also the downs—it’s quite maturing, not just in terms of the music but also in terms of who we are as people.”
Josh, Joshua, Janessa, Joric and Anton have seen different versions of one another, and they credit their music for playing an important role in shaping their lives. “‘Yung band, nandiyan siya throughout all the phases namin.” They recall having to commute with all their equipment and finally making enough money together to invest in more gear. Reflecting on their journey, they realized that while a lot has indeed changed, there's a comforting sense that, in many ways, nothing has changed at all.
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The band, since debuting in 2016 with the EP “Free,” has just released their latest single 123—a departure from the slow and sentimental sound they’re known for in songs such as Wait and I Had You. “The inspiration, like all our other songs, just came naturally.” The band shared that they had been listening to a lot of Maggie Rogers and Carly Rae Jepsen and described the new single as a “love child” of the two. Although no date was mentioned, the band also revealed that they are in the process of making new records, adding that they never really know how a song will turn out after a session in the studio. Right now, they’re just focusing on making more songs to release in the future.
In a world where change is constant, Over October’s passion and fans remain a testament to the power of music to connect people.
While the band acknowledges the impact of their music, there is one thing they want to highlight: gratitude to the fans. After countless performances and events, the support they receive is still quite overwhelming. “It’s still sometimes a surprise na you see people going out of their way (to see us perform).” Over their nine-year journey, they've made strong bonds with their dedicated supporters, especially those who've been with them from the very beginning.
“It’s a feeling we’ll never get used to.”