Justin Furstenfeld

Justin Steward Furstenfeld (born December 14, 1975, in Houston, Texas) is a record producer, artist, author, and the lead singer, guitarist, and lyricist of the rock band Blue October.

Personal life

When not touring with his band, Furstenfeld resides in San Marcos, Texas. He is the brother of Blue October drummer Jeremy Furstenfeld. ^[1][2] He admits to a past of self-harm in his teen years, and suicidal thoughts throughout his life. He has a daughter, named Blue Reed Furstenfeld, to whom he dedicated the album Any Man in America. Blue, and Justin's relationship with her mother, are the subject matter of much of the album.^[1]

On June 13, 2012, Justin proposed to his pregnant girlfriend Sarah. On July 28, 2012 they were married in a private ceremony in Wimberley, Texas. Together they have a daughter named Sayde Belle, born August 23, 2012^[3] On April 2nd, 2016, Justin and his wife Sarah had a son, Gunner Black Furstenfeld^[4]

Music career

Growing up, Furstenfeld listened to hip-hop, rock, country, dance; his favorite artists included Idaho, Marvin Gaye, The Smiths, Peter Gabriel, Red House Painters, The Cure, Cocteau Twins, Bahaus and Pink Floyd.^[5] His first musical memory was Roy Orbison's ballad, "Crying".^[6]

During his high school years at Houston's prestigious High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA), he formed the band The Last Wish, which he played in from the age of 13 until 1995.^[7] When performing solo, Furstenfeld uses the moniker 5591,^[8] the number 5591 being his patient number when he was admitted to a mental institution following a breakup with his then-girlfriend Amanda. He tells this story in the confessionals on the Argue With a Tree DVD (found in the Special Features).

His vocal and performance style has been likened to Peter Gabriel, Genesis and "Fish" of Marillion.

He has written over 500 songs and counts among his influences: Michael Stipe, The Cure, The Smiths, The Pixies, Peter Gabriel, Idaho, Elliott Smith, Blue Miller, George Winston, Jean-Michel Basquiat and U2.^[9]

Furstenfeld also co-wrote and performed guest vocals on the Canvas song "All About You" from their album Four Days Awake. He also sings on the song "Medusa" on Tarja Turunen's album Colours in the Dark. In 2014, he provided guest vocals on Zeale's song "Invisible Prisons", and also sang on the song "When We Were Made" on Paco Estrada's 2015 album Bedtime Stories.

In August 2008, Furstenfeld toured with Stephenie Meyer, author of the Twilight series, in a sold out 4-city book/concert tour.^[10]

On October 22, 2009, the Pick Up The Phone Tour was cancelled after Justin was admitted to a hospital for an extreme anxiety attack, though the band still played two November dates in Austin.

Furstenfeld is also a painter, and his paintings have appeared on the covers of two Blue October albums, The Answers and History for Sale. His artwork is also featured on T-shirts and posters for the band. He wrote many songs about his depression after his breakup; he assures his fans that he is here to write and stay.

Justin is also a member of the band Harvard of the South.

Crazy Making

In April 2009,^[11] Justin published his first book, Crazy Making - The Words and Lyrics of Justin Furstenfeld, in which Justin goes into explicit detail about the inspiration behind each and every Blue October song to date.^[12]

Discography

Solo albums

• Songs from an Open Book (2014)
• Open Book Live Album (2017)

With The Last Wish

• Rooftop Sessions (1993)
• The First of February (1995)

With Blue October

• The Answers (1998)
• Consent to Treatment (2000)
• History for Sale (2003)
• Foiled (2006)
• Approaching Normal (2009)
• Any Man in America (2011)
• Sway (2013)
• Home (2016)

With Harvard of the South

• Miracle EP

As a featured artist

• Canvas - Four Days Awake - "All About You"
• Tarja Turunen - Colours In The Dark - "Medusa"
• Zeale - FRNZ & FNGZ - "Invisible Prisons"

References