Band To Watch: October Man

Coming out of the indie scene of Asbury Park in New Jersey, October Man may be a new name to the music world, but their presence is already impossible to ignore. Initially known as Spanish Pigeon Cheese from 2018, last year the band rebranded after realising that their original name no longer adequately served with them. “We were ashamed to say our actual band name anymore,” they admitted, signaling a shift not just in branding but in creative direction.

Today, the group features the talents of JD Leidersdorff on lead vocals and guitar, Ethan Bodner as lead guitarist, Anthony Abboud on drums and Ian Neill on bass. Together, they’ve established themselves as an exciting new act, revitalising their sound and vision since their formation at Lakehouse Music Academy in 2016.

Despite lineup changes and the hurdles that many young bands experience, October Man never faltered. Instead, these challenges only fuelled their creativity further, pushing them to refine their sound and emerge stronger than ever. This past summer marked the start of a new chapter for the band, beginning with the release of their debut single “Matchstick,” which was quickly followed by sophomore outing “Vessel.”

The band are currently preparing to release their debut EP, All The Parties I Drove You To, set to drop next month. The EP is a collection of four tracks that the band has been performing at live shows over the past few months, a mix of essentials that capture their pure energy and unique sound. Commenting on the writing on their upcoming release, they share, “We hope our lyrics will translate to our fans in whatever way fits them best. Music resonates in such different ways for everyone and it’s important that we write our music through what we are feeling in the moment while giving someone the feeling of empathy when they hear it for the first time.”

The latest preview of the EP comes in the form of their brand-new single, “Dandelion,” a track that showcases October Man’s ability to create anthemic indie rock. Produced by Evan Rudenjak, known for his work with Via Crowe and Butterfly Garden and featuring contributions from Winston Roye, an accomplished producer with credits that include Shakira and Soul Asylum, “Dandelion” is a song dedicated to JD Leidersdorff’s younger sister, recounting their relationship from the typical sibling rivalry to a deep and lasting friendship.

Brought in by the bright twang of lightly gritty guitar chords, punchy drums shuffle as bold bass notes pulse while JD’s expressive voice glides above to thread bouncy melodies above. Launching into an energising chorus brimming with catchy hooks and gritty indie rock aesthetics, the band’s memorable songwriting, slick musicianship and commanding vocal work collide to deliver an epic sound. Developing with rhythm switch up and intricate lead guitar notes, all wrapped up in an infectious and invigorating arrangement, “Dandelion” sees the band lay down an enthralling new single that continues to build the hype for their forthcoming debut EP.

Listen to Dandelion below