Entertainment
The Battalion
Page 5A • Tuesday, January 27. 2004
Back in blue
Blue October returns to College Station after national success
By Nishat Fatima
THE BATTALION
51J
iKieal
■L
Justin Furstenfeld was on his way to Houston when he sud
denly heard something on the radio that made him pull over on
e freeway; the station he was tuned to had just played the song
erji j'falling You,” recorded by Blue October, the band that
^lurstenfeld fronts.
I “I
JCOUJ
m
_ It was the first time I heard it on commercial
Jurstenfeld said. "1 just smiled really big.”
Since its recent performance in College
ation last fall, Blue October has made big
rides in its career. With a hit radio single,
falling You,” a song featured on the “American
tedding” soundtrack and numerous performanc-
with high-profile artists such as Jane’s
WHddiction. the quintet from Houston has had a
|iisy last few months.
The band’s performance at The Tap on
'fib Wednesday will feature special guests Ingram Hill
d Lesermor.
Junior electrical engineering major John
v Schulke has been a fan of Blue October since he
radio,”
who:
Blue October Feat
Ingram Hill
where:
The Tap
Jrst saw the band perform his freshman year,
fl/p Schulke said he instantly became a fan despite
IOB hiving seen the band live for the first time.
“They play w ith a lot of emotion and passion,”
huJke said. “They put on an intense show.”
Furstenfeld sard when songwriters are crafting
|song, that they tend to follow certain formulas to
t different results.
“There is a certain route artists have to take if
:y want to be on the radio,” he said. “Sometimes,
hen I finish a song. I think. ‘This could work on the radio.’
ery now and then, management will suggest that we try to
ake asong a certain way (to make it radio-friendly. But) I’m not
Bing to change my style for the sake of radio.”
I As far as the radio success of its single “Calling You,”
Furstenfeld said the popularity was accidental, because the tune
■as originally written as a birthday song.
I "(The song) is the best of both worlds,” he said. "It was truth
ful when I wrote it. truthful when we recorded it."
I If he ever tunes in to the radio himself. Furstenfeld said he has
how much:
$10
dloor.<t open:
Wednesday night
at at 8 p.m.
developed a liking for a variety of artists.
“Lately, 1 have been listening to 50 cent, Eminem
and Baby Bash." he said. “As for the rock scene, I
really like Social Burn, who we toured with, and A
Perfect Circle is amazing too. I also like Sarah
McLachlan and Dido.”
Furstenfeld said his first priority is the group of
followers that has been loyal to Blue October since
the band’s beginning.
"I think about our supporters
first. They expect something from
me,” he said.
Unlike many other bands, for
whom a growing pool of fans
means impersonality with their
fans, Schulke said Blue October has
not lost its bond with the crowds.
“As far as I have seen, 1 don't
think they have lost a connection
with their fans. They try really hard
to maintain contact with their fans,”
he said.
Schulke said one of the main
attractions of the band is
Furstenfeld’s lyrics.
"He really is a great poet.
Behind all their intense riffs and
licks, they have words that are
really beautiful," he said.
Commercial popularity and fame
haven’t taken over for the band,
Furstenfeld said.
“It hasn't hit me yet. because
I'm waiting for it to be taken away from me,” he
said.
“In the music business, you never know when
you time in the spotlight is over. There’s a million
21-year-old guys that want my spot, but I'm not giv
ing it up anytime soon.”
Joining Blue October in its quest for fans w ill be
College Station veter
ans, Blue October
(above), will return to
perform at the Tap
Wednesday night. Their
special guests will be
alternative rock band
Ingram Hill (right) and
Temple-based rock
band Lesermor. Blue
October's performance
will include material
from their latest album,
"History For
Sale,"which features
their hit single "Calling
You."
Photo Courtesy of Blue October
See Blue October on page 6A
Photo Courtesy of Ingram Hill