October x The Butterfly Room: Official Empress Q&A
October: Greetings Butterflies x I'm very excited to begin the official second ever fan Q&A on The Butterfly Room. I'll be answering your questions about my upcoming 15th album Empress. Ask away x
JeremiahSings: Hello October :) My name is Jeremiah and have loved you since your Aurora days. I was wondering how you interpret your growth as an artist, like how would you explain the evolution of October in your own words. (Can't wait for Empress!!!!!!)
October: I definitely would say that as an artist, I am constantly trying to evolve. I've told you all before I'm not just a singer-songwriter, but I'm an artist, so I'm always trying to think of how to up the anti and how to be innovative with what I put out to the world. Not just to stand out for my ego but for you guys. I don't want to be this boring chick who has the same album cycle. Your career gets very dry very quickly that way. But I'm able to grow because all of you have stuck by my side for so long and support what I do. And I'm forever grateful!
Oliviaxxoo: You've said Empress tells a story of discovering love, does this mean the album will consist of mostly 'ballads' / love songs?
October: I wouldn't say so. The first thing I wanted to share with you all was that the album tells a story of discovering love through others and within myself. The center of the album has love songs and songs about desire and fantasy, but there are songs about discovering love and recognition within myself as well as songs about disappointment in lovers and getting hurt. But I wanted the album to be overall uplifting and empowering because that is how I want the album to be experienced. The album is about love, in every way you can interpret it. Not just about fun and games.
ButterflyKing: Hi Mama O! What would you say was your main inspiration in making this album?
October: My main inspiration was going through a really hard time in my life. Not only had this refreshing relationship ended, but I lost someone I had grown to know very well. I was trying to write this music to gear myself away from being completely broken down and depressed. One song I wrote, called "Puzzle Piece", it's basically the closing track, it's about losing someone and feeling incomplete but cherishing the happiness that person gave to me. I want to think about the happy moments when I think about that person and I know that is how he would want me to feel. I guess I want to share that with you guys as well. So you guys can always know that when all odds are against you and you feel your world is literally burning around you, there is always a way to build a fire of strength within yourself. You can always rise above everything. That is why I know this album is so powerful and empowering.
ImYourShadow: October, are there any collaborations on Empress?
October: Yes! This album was all about collaboration. Vocally, I worked with The Weeknd, Tinashe, Big Sean, ZHU & MØ! All fabulous to work with. The album was produced by The Chainsmokers, ODESZA and Purity Ring. ZHU produced his own track and Maps also did an instrumental track I am using as an outro. The producers really took the album I had in mind to a whole other level. The genre is this indie synthpop with a lot of R&B influence in there as well. I wanted a current sound with an October twist. We very much accomplished that.
Ericavision: You have already planned 2 festival dates, are you planning on revealing a festival tour ala The Underdog era?
October: You just might be right! ;)
JeremiahSings: Hello October :) My name is Jeremiah and have loved you since your Aurora days. I was wondering how you interpret your growth as an artist, like how would you explain the evolution of October in your own words. (Can't wait for Empress!!!!!!)
October: I definitely would say that as an artist, I am constantly trying to evolve. I've told you all before I'm not just a singer-songwriter, but I'm an artist, so I'm always trying to think of how to up the anti and how to be innovative with what I put out to the world. Not just to stand out for my ego but for you guys. I don't want to be this boring chick who has the same album cycle. Your career gets very dry very quickly that way. But I'm able to grow because all of you have stuck by my side for so long and support what I do. And I'm forever grateful!
Oliviaxxoo: You've said Empress tells a story of discovering love, does this mean the album will consist of mostly 'ballads' / love songs?
October: I wouldn't say so. The first thing I wanted to share with you all was that the album tells a story of discovering love through others and within myself. The center of the album has love songs and songs about desire and fantasy, but there are songs about discovering love and recognition within myself as well as songs about disappointment in lovers and getting hurt. But I wanted the album to be overall uplifting and empowering because that is how I want the album to be experienced. The album is about love, in every way you can interpret it. Not just about fun and games.
ButterflyKing: Hi Mama O! What would you say was your main inspiration in making this album?
October: My main inspiration was going through a really hard time in my life. Not only had this refreshing relationship ended, but I lost someone I had grown to know very well. I was trying to write this music to gear myself away from being completely broken down and depressed. One song I wrote, called "Puzzle Piece", it's basically the closing track, it's about losing someone and feeling incomplete but cherishing the happiness that person gave to me. I want to think about the happy moments when I think about that person and I know that is how he would want me to feel. I guess I want to share that with you guys as well. So you guys can always know that when all odds are against you and you feel your world is literally burning around you, there is always a way to build a fire of strength within yourself. You can always rise above everything. That is why I know this album is so powerful and empowering.
ImYourShadow: October, are there any collaborations on Empress?
October: Yes! This album was all about collaboration. Vocally, I worked with The Weeknd, Tinashe, Big Sean, ZHU & MØ! All fabulous to work with. The album was produced by The Chainsmokers, ODESZA and Purity Ring. ZHU produced his own track and Maps also did an instrumental track I am using as an outro. The producers really took the album I had in mind to a whole other level. The genre is this indie synthpop with a lot of R&B influence in there as well. I wanted a current sound with an October twist. We very much accomplished that.
Ericavision: You have already planned 2 festival dates, are you planning on revealing a festival tour ala The Underdog era?
October: You just might be right! ;)
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