In Conversation with Brandon October
Over coffee & muffins...
Brandon October has a youthful energy about him that’s tangible when he walks into a room. I sat down with him to learn a bit more about the man behind the voice.
How do you feel about growing older?
I feel really good. I don’t actually think about it too much.
I saw you perform once at a festival where you did an impromptu a cappella version of Queen’s ‘We are the Champions’ and I thought, man that takes some balls.
Yeah that was one of those technical glitches that sometimes happen. But the show had to go on. So that’s what I did. The audience was really into it too.
Musicians often talk about how cutthroat a music career is. Have you had the same experience?
The world is full of ass-holes, people who look to exploit you and squeeze you for every drop they can get. I’ve had a few experiences like that but I have a rule, I’m allowed to be taken for a ride only once. The next time I fall for it, I only have myself to blame. The problem is that musicians usually work from paycheck to paycheck and who can resist the next paycheck?
How do you feel about the return of vinyl?
I was born in the seventies so I’ve lived through the transition from vinyl and cassettes to CDs. We’ve come full circle. There’s something quite hipster about owning vinyl discs but if it’s brought back some of the old, then that’s a good thing. Also you can’t beat quality of a vinyl. CDs have nothing on them.
I’ve always been my own worst enemy. My harshest critic.
It must be very different being part of the inner-circle and different too to what fans perceive. Are musicians really the band of merry men and women they seem?
There are musicians out there who feel that if you’re not writing your own songs you’re not a real musician, if you have backing tracks or sing at corporate functions, then you’re not a real musician. What the is a real musician? If you’re making music of any kind, anywhere at anytime, then you’re a musician. There are a few who have this bullshit purist view of music and I respect that, but don’t give the others flack for doing something different. In my whole career I’ve worked with different musicians all across South Africa. Sure there are a few ass-holes out there but on the whole most musicians are terrific people.
Comparing yourself to others is a huge mistake.
You’re quite outspoken about your opinions and thoughts on everything from music to politics. I’m sure you must get some heat for that.
It’s too easy to buy into the idea that as public figure everything we say has to be politically correct or devoid of any feeling. What a load of bollocks. I may be a singer, songwriter, tv presenter whatever, but I am also a man, a father, a husband. I have other interests outside of music and I have no problem sharing them. Social media makes it very easy for people to hide behind their keyboards and fire off word-missiles as they please. I give as good as I get.
Check out Brandon’s social platforms below.
Instagram @brandon.october
Facebook @brandonoctober
Twitter @brandonoctober