November 15, 2018
In this age of quotidian nihilism, of pervasive and boundless jadedness, you might be forgiven for being taken aback when someone says to you: “I hope you’re happy.
” It’d be easy to load that phrase with acerbic meaning, to interpret it foremost as coming from a place of spite and sarcasm. And nine times out of 10, you’d probably be right. But in the case of seminal musicians Blue October, the statement is disarmingly sincere.
Early fans of the band’s work, those who haven’t kept track of the band’s journey in its latter years, might be hard-pressed to recognize the foursomecomprised of Ryan Delahoussaye, the band’s multi-instrumentalist; Matt Noveskey on bass; and brothers Jeremy and Justin Furstenfeld, the band’s drummer and front man, respectively. The group, once known for its stormy dynamic and self-destructive tendencies, couldn’t be more distinct, today, from the band it once was. And the members of Blue October want everyone they encounter to know the great place they’re in, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. “We’ve had the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, and we’ve come out the other side,” says Noveskey, who describes the record as “emotional.”
I Hope You’re Happy is out on August 17th on Up/Down Records, in partnership with Brando Records, a record label founded by Justin Furstenfeld, who remains the label’s president. But the record is already available for preorder on iTunes, Amazon, and directly through the band. The album’s title track has already cracked the top 20 on the Billboard Alternative chart, the 11th single over Blue October’s nine studio albums to reach Top 40 on the US airplay charts.
With a brand new record on the horizon, the boys from Blue October are putting their full weight behind this release. Justin has now been sober (and loving it!) for six years; the band is happy and enjoying life both on the road and at home with their families; and they want the best for everyone in their lives. Says Justin: “I Hope You’re Happy is about wishing your enemies well... anyone who’s touched my life, or I’ve touched your life life’s so short, and I hope you’re happy.”
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Thursday, Nov 15 - 7pm
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