Justin Furstenfeld: Rockin’ with the Badgers
By Tyler Williams and Amanda Castro-Crist, Ranger Staff
Justin Furstenfeld, a plati- num- selling artist and lead singer of the rock band Blue October, gave a sold-out show Saturday in Amarillo College’s Ordway Hall auditorium.
Justin Furstenfeld, lead
singer of the band Blue
October, gives an interview
before his concert
performance.
Furstenfeld and guest Ashleigh Stone performed for more than 450 enthusiastic fans.
FM90, AC’s alternative rock radio station, and AC Student Life sponsored the show.
The show was different from what Blue October fans may have expected. Furstenfeld per- formed acoustic versions of his songs, taking time between each to interact with the audience, answering attendees’ questions and offering answers to other unspoken ones. The show shined light on the meaning of his lyr- ics and the battles Furstenfeld has faced as he struggled with addiction, relationships and mental illness.
Read on to see what Furstenfeld shared.
Q: Why did you decide to do such a stripped-down show?
A: The fourth wall is never sup- posed to be broken, but with this, it allows me to be right there and be interactive with the fans.
On leaving his first band, the Last Wish, at the age of 16 after a band parent meeting:
“I thought, ‘That’s the last time I’m going to let anyone tell me what I can and can’t say in a song.”
Q: If Sober Justin could go back and say something to Addict Justin, what would it be?
A: I’d show him a picture of his 2-year-old daughter
and say, “You stupid f—.”
On addiction and how he deals with it:
“Once an addict, always an addict. Just today, I’m sober. Tomorrow, I’ll try it all over again.”
Q: How long have you been sober?
A: (On the night of the con- cert) two years, three months and 20 days
On his relationship with his wife:
“I have the coolest freaking wife in the world. She’s a badass. She’s smoking hot, too.”
Q: What about music keeps you doing it?
A: The feeling that there are no rules. You can say anything you want. You can bring life to any situation.
On his love of Starbucks:
“It’s the most amazing place in the world. It’s liquid crack in a cup.”
Q: Why did you choose Ashleigh Stone for your opener? A: She’s a mental massage on the brain – powerful lyrics and melodies.
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