October Evans is a non-binary transgender musician/singer-songwriter, MC, lyricist, multi-instrumentalist, artist/painter, filmmaker/producer/director/screenwriter, photographer, model/actress, podcaster, vlogger, blogger, small business owner and an activist with over 20 years of multi-industry/multimedia/business experience, currently residing in the New England and Northeastern U.S. areas, traveling back and forth in between temporary homes living on the road. With brutally honest, unapologetic lyrics with true depth that's rarely written in this particular style, accompanied by edgy but original music and hauntingly beautiful melodies, her music is very passionate and unparalleled by very few musicians, rappers and bands that has ever rarely pulled off this level of musical artistry. Bridging genres of alternative rock, grunge/post-grunge, indie folk/acoustic rock, gothic rock/industrial, electronica, hard rock, queer punk, Americana and nu-metal, October's raw yet astounding styles of instrumental music (often accompanied and written by hired guns/studio musicians), thought provoking lyrics, and grungy/hauntingly beautiful vocals both captivate and challenge her audiences. Emotionally-charged, yet soothing at times depending on the elements of each song she's ever done, she is in your face, swimming about in your thoughts to challenge you to see things outside of your comfort zone and touches your hearts to weep along to the messages behind each song she writes/produces/record/performs, etc. October has recorded & toured internationally as a solo artist, backup singer/rapper in a total of 7 different bands and one rap group in the different local underground/independent music scenes in Texas, all over California, Seattle, Portland (Oregon), NY and the New England area for the past 20 years before embarking on her self-titled solo project in 2014 and has opened for various open mic gigs, talent shows and music festivals, paying her dues since starting out at a young age of 11 years old. Now turning 31 soon, in addition to her music, she has gone on to pursue her writing/poetry career, her art/painting projects, chasing her dreams of launching a podcast series called On the Road with the Trans Wanderlust Grrrl, starting a vlog series and having launched a brand new blog, among other creative/artistic projects. She is also an activist in her spare time for the Black Lives Matter movement, the sex work industry, the disability community, the mental health community, the transgender/non-binary community, the immigrant community, the Native American tribes and the LGBTIQQA+ community, donating to causes/charity organizations whenever possible and educating people on issues affecting the various marginalized communities struggling in extreme poverty and suffering in cruel inhumane conditions at the border in Southern states like Texas, or fighting Big Oil to prevent pipelines from being built and advocating for legislation like Medicare-for-All, the Green New Deal, decriminalization for sex workers nationwide, medical and recreational marijuana legalization/decriminalization and donating to progressive candidates like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bernie Sanders, etc. Besides her many creative/artistic projects in film, art/drawing/painting, writing/poetry, etc., she is currently working on a brand new anthology album, tentatively titled Breaking the Silence: 20 Years of October Evans, featuring 3 brand new EPs, a bonus disc that includes additional original songs and cover songs and a making-of/behind-the-scenes documentary film on DVD, slated for a Summer/Fall 2020 release, along with new official music videos and lyric videos to be launched, a brand new merchandise store and more tour dates to be announced coming soon. © 2012-2019 October Evans, All Rights Reserved. © 1999-2019 Chiaroscuro Music Studios, Transgender Mad Genius Arts, Gone Sovereign Films and Renaissance Woman Enterprises, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
That is a tough question, but a good one. I'd have to say that music gave me everything I needed to stay sane in a mad, cold transphobic world. If it wasn't for bands and rappers/rap groups that I grew up listening to, like Nine Inch Nails, Staind, Slipknot, Stone Sour, The Cure, Joy Division, N.W.A., Eminem, Tupac, Rakim, Linkin Park, Seether, Nirvana, The Clash, Dead Kennedys, etc., etc., I'd probably be dead by now, or worse. Music to me is like a healthy drug that I can have the doctors prescribe to me when I'm sick as fuck or so depressed. It got me through a lot of dark days, and it even saw me through my good days. Music to me is a way to communicate when all the words that I could've said to loved ones, friends, family and everyone else that I've met and lost along the way. It was my one constant, my home away from home, and when I'm on the road heading to a gig, I feel it's all going to be okay every time I put on a song to listen to or play one of my songs on the stage at live gigs. Music gave me the serenity, the calm after each storm and the peace I longed for. To quote Mr. Corey Taylor of Slipknot/Stone Sour fame (among other things he did in his life - and they're so fucking worthy of mentioning because HE DID A LOT!), this is from a book I read that he wrote a few years ago: "I live at the speed of my mind and I love with the strength of my heart. I'm happier than I've ever been in years. But only because I know where I have been." - that pretty much fucking says it all right there about how I feel about the music I grew up to and the music that I now write, record and produce on and off the road, and everywhere else I go. You could say I'm the Jack Kerouac of the music industry, perhaps, traveling the roads less traveled, and learning to find myself. I guess in a way, I still am. We're all longing for answers that we may never know, ya know? We're longing for a warm, safe place to go. Music gives me what all the money, doctors, pills, beers, drugs, wars, governments and even certain people couldn't give me: the love, acceptance, the peace, the calm, the quiet, the empathy, the compassion, the sense of belonging, the community that I've built around me based on my music and it gave me a home, even when I didn't have one. I've been homeless, and I've been through hell and back and so much more. Music was there for all that and beyond.
To perform with all my musical heroes while they're still alive on one big fucking tour someday. That, and to just continue to live my dreams that I have been chasing since I was 8 years old. I'd like to see music inspire others the way it inspired me, and hopefully build a strong enough community to help change the world with me.
Whew. There's so many things that I wish I could fucking change right now, especially with the way this shit country called America is heading right now. But if I had the ability, I'd change our current healthcare system so that everyone, including musicians and artists, LGBTIQQA+ folks, trans people, etc., can get the healthcare they deserve without worrying about bankruptcy. I'm for universal healthcare; always have been. I know what it can do, because I've experienced it myself in other countries. Had they told me what universal healthcare was before I went overseas, I'd probably laugh my ass off and choose not to believe them. But it is true; universal healthcare means less wait times, more attention to our issues and declining health concerns, more recovery time, better service and care, and even when you're close to death, they actually save your life. Explain to me why Iceland or Norway or Denmark is one of the happiest countries in the world - sure, they have jobs that pays really well, housing that's relatively affordable to live in, great government programs and so on, but they also have universal healthcare, so they live longer, enjoy life better and have the best quality of life. That's pretty fucking cool, if you ask me. I'd also make sure that all musicians, no matter their race, ethnicity/nationality, their beliefs, gender identities, sexual orientations, etc., should get the care they need. We've lost WAY too many great musicians, icons and heroes in the industry far too soon, too young or too fast. They could've had another 40 years with us. Whether it's mental health, cancer, drug/alcohol addiction, or any type of public health crisis/issue they face, including Gender Dysphoria, they should get the care they need. I wish I got the care that I need, and I still do. I hope I get to be alive long enough to finally make that happen before it's too late. And most of all, I'd definitely change the ENTIRE music industry. We should be getting paid 100% of everything we create on the radio, on music streaming services, etc. - it's fucked up that this corrupt capitalistic oligarch-controlled country still has a music industry that fucks over the hard-working, decent musicians, bands, rappers, rap groups, etc. while giving all the goods and rewards to lesser-talented, undeserving, fucking hacks like Taylor Swift, Kayne West and others who just plain fucking sucks. We work hard to get to where we are today, and we still don't get the love or recognition that we should be getting. There's a music revolution waiting to be heard or televised, yet corporations refuse to allow us the opportunity to be heard or seen. Kill the music industry and replace it with a better, stronger, all-inclusive and truly welcoming music industry. Fuck Big Music, fuck Big Oil, fuck Big Pharma, and most of all, fuck you, Trump and all those corporate assholes in the Democratic party and the GOP. When will people realize that it's actually an one-party oligarchy, not a 2-party system? That's why we should vote Independent or Progressive or People's party.
Ooh, I'd have to say "Across The Universe" and "Hey Jude" from The Beatles, and of course, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana. There's so many memorable songs that I grew up listening to, but for some reason, those really represent all the happy and sad/bad/dark times I had growing up. If you notice the meaning behind those songs, even when I was a kid, you'd understand why I said it represents all the good and bad times I went through, and how it made me who I am today.
Are you kidding me with this question? I have SOOOOOOO MANY favorites artists, rappers, rap groups, bands, solo/side projects, etc. that I grew up listening to, and it's a pretty long list. Are you sure you wanna sit down and read an ENTIRE list of favorites on here? I mean, we'd probably be here for HOURS, if that. LOL... Better yet, ask me when I'm dead or when I release my final autobiographical memoir - it'll have the answers you seek. HA! Wow, this question would've taken hours to list them all.
The fact that any one of my songs could change or save a life someday. I am always inspired to write and record new songs nearly every day based on conversations I've had with people or overheard people having said conversations, all those sleepless nights I've spent in diners and 24-hour cafes on the road, all the experiences that I've lived through (and still am going through), and even stories that I hear about inspires me to write such powerful, original and honest songs. You could say that I'm the Jack Kerouac of the music industry for some unknown reason; I write about everything and everyone around me, and I even write about my own personal experiences. Either way, I'm always ready to write a song on an acoustic guitar (since that's how most of my songs end up being written originally before it even gets considered to be written, recorded, produced, etc. in the studio with other musicians and other bands - I've been in 5 bands my entire 20-plus years in the music industry, and all of them were independent, unsigned or underground, and I still continue to make the music that I love to create. But most of all, even in today's world, music inspires the revolutionary in me. It inspires my critical thinking skills to be constantly challenged and to continue to write songs that has authentic meaning to me and to the fans, and I hope that it continues to inspire me to write songs that opens people's minds and eyes to a whole new world out there and to make waves in this revolution.
Pain is love, love is pain. And that even in the revolution that we as the People are facing right now, that love still manages to conquer all, and will always trump hate. I don't support any type of violence, and if pushed into a corner by a group of white supremacists, I'd definitely fight back. I also want to let people know that the message I send with my music is meant to change lives, open up eyes/minds to more deeper conversations/critical thinking, and that it can have the power to heal you completely, if you let it and trust in it. My music should be a sign of things to come, and can give you the ability to say "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!" against those who oppresses you in the most extremist, right-wing, fascist manner, and those who silences your voice at home, in schools and everywhere else. You shouldn't have to be bullied or taken advantage of any longer. Enough is enough, so fight back. Let my music inspire you to live life, love fiercely, speak honestly and truthfully and to inspire you to fight back when you're feeling like there's no hope. Let my music help you push back against the Darkness.
Truth be told, I still have that stage fright, but every night when I go out to perform in front of an audience, wanna know how I make it go away? I pretend that I'm in the studio or at a peaceful, quiet place somewhere else in my head, right before I even go on stage, and even closing my eyes can help before I open them. And then I just go out there, rock out, have the time of my life and NOT care about what anyone thinks of me or says about me after the show. I could make a fool out of myself onstage and still fucking rock it. Performing gives me that natural high that pills and hard drugs can't give me. It's like BDSM for the soul, but better. And yes, I partake in BDSM activities with trusted friends and people I care about in my local community. If you had to ask me, I'd say that performing in front of others really helps me face a lot of fears that I never thought I could face, and allows me the opportunity to have creative "flashbacks" of my worst of dark days and bad memories stemming from C-PTSD, and heal through it with the music I perform with live in front of everyone, and as soon as I get off the stage, I feel like all that catharsis really helped me and I can move on.
That's a good question... I'd have to say that I see it like the way I see it in politics and everything else, everywhere else: I see it like a dying industry who's been censoring and oppressing hard-working musicians, artists, rappers, rap groups, bands, etc., especially in today's economy. It needs a systematic change, a complete overhaul, and to get rid of capitalism hovering over the music world. We need to incentivize what we offer to the fans, yes, but make it more affordable for them to still attend shows and give them something that you can afford to offer. That's why we have platforms like Patreon and Bandcamp, so that we can offer such personalized and unique rewards that they can enjoy for life by subscribing and staying subscribed. We can barely afford to even record music nowadays in a studio somewhere, so many of us opt for home studios to be built. Why not change that, and still offer high-quality, excellent recording studio sessions by offering a membership monthly or yearly plan with musicians, rappers, bands, etc. to afford to come into the studio at any time of their careers, record great music and put it out there for everyone to hear? And we should also be able to get 100% of all royalties, even from music streaming, so that we can afford to pay rent/bills, afford to put food on the table, pay for things we want and need in life, and so forth. We shouldn't be in poverty and broke-as-fuck trying to make it in the music industry; that's not how it should go. Music should be accessible for everyone, inclusive to ALL people (no matter who you are, where you came from, your background, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, etc.), so it's breaking my heart every time I hear about stories of discrimination from other fans or musicians (both alike) and we need to change that too. We all keep saying or hearing that music is universal. If it's universal, why all the exclusion or discrimination? Why the censorship or the fascist oppression? Why approach with a closed mind, ignorance and hatred in your hearts when you could approach with an open mind, good critical thinking skills and kindness in your hearts? I mean, music, like I said, should be universal. Think about that for a bit.
It's okay, but I don't like the censorship that goes on around here. I feel like I should be able to say many things, and even talk about those issues, but such is life. I hope they will allow us to uncensor certain words like fuck or something like that. Sure, it's pretty popular to say in a lot of rock and metal songs nowadays, and even back then, but it did help me get even more creative with my wordplay at times. I don't like to cuss, and I still have issues trying not to cuss all the time, but when you've lived through a lot of trauma like I have, it kinda just gets to the point where it's your release from the pain you feel on a near daily basis, even when writing songs. I'd also like Drooble to be more inclusive to LGBTIQQA+ musicians, rappers, solo artists, bands, etc., and specifically more welcoming to trans/genderqueer/non-binary musicians. That means allowing us the option to update our gender identity on our Drooble profiles.
Ugh, I'd have to say fans who don't appreciate the music that I work hard on creating for myself and for them. When I ask them to subscribe to my Patreon or Bandcamp, or buy my album or my merchandise, the first thing they do is go pirate my music and steal my shit and end up leaving me more poorer and broke than ever before. Another thing that really frustrates me is the discrimination I face as a disabled transgender/genderqueer woman. I feel oppressed, marginalized even, when people do or say something ignorant or stupid that makes me feel unsafe to even perform in their venue/club or to record music in a studio somewhere that I paid for them to help me co-produce my music with, etc. I'd like it if we could have a lot of inclusion and more protections in place for LGBTIQQA+ musicians, especially trans/genderqueer/non-binary/two-spirited musicians. And I hate it when we don't caption our music videos or vlog videos to Deaf people - I met a LOT of deaf people over the years who always wanted a sign language interpreter to translate the music we create for everyone, and I feel like I've said before, that music should be universal and inclusive to ALL people. It'd be fucking cool to have that.
HELL YEAH, I DO! I buy their merchandise, their albums, stream their music non-stop on all music streaming services that I use on my phone, laptop or tablet, and even better, I actually subscribe to fan-club platforms they have (even on Patreon, Bandcamp or another platform they use) because I am that dedicated to music, not just as a musician/singer-songwriter myself but as a fan. So I'm dedicated to my local scene in both ways, which is saying a lot about my advocacy to include more and more people into the music world.
Honesty, originality, creativity and always speak the truth from your heart. I also feel that staying true to your artistic/creative roots help too, and never go corporate or try to change who you are to sell out. Keep your fans close and your enemies closer. Trust me; it'll pay off in the end. You shouldn't be about the fame, booze, drugs, girls or the moolah - you should be about the inclusion of all people from all walks of life, the music, the fans and about staying true to yourself. And most of all, fuck the critics - they don't know what the hell they're talking about. Just be you, and the rest will fall into place.
Weak of Wanting, my band Wanderlust Grrrl, Yeah Whatever, Devilskin, Binary Synthetica, Organic Vs. Mechanic (OvM), The Challis Effect, Agony of Defeat, Machine Gun Kelly, Patrick Jorgenson, Bloodywood (I highly recommend listening to Vee Jeerey - powerful metal song and really can change a life), and of course, y'all should give Jimmy Bell and Katerina Mrazkova here on Drooble a good listen - they got great music!