If you've been scrolling through your Spotify lately and stumbled upon that addictive track "Ikot," or if you're just curious about the Filipino indie band that's been making waves in the OPM scene, you've come to the right place.
Let us tell you everything about Over October – and trust us, by the end of this, you'll understand why they're one of the most exciting bands to emerge from the Philippine music landscape.
Who Are Over October? Meet the Band That's Redefining Filipino Indie Music
Picture this: five friends who met in college, bonded over their love for music, and decided to chase their dreams together. That's Over October in a nutshell, but their story is so much richer than that simple description.
The Squad:
- Joshua Buizon - Lead vocals and rhythm guitar (the voice that makes you feel things)
- Joshua Caleb Lua - Lead guitar (yes, they're both named Joshua – more on that later!)
- Joric Canlas - Bass guitar (the steady heartbeat of their sound)
- Janessa Geronimo - Drums (the powerhouse keeping everyone in line)
- Anton Rodriguez - Rhythm guitar (the thoughtful one who joined the party later)
From College Recitals to Billboard Charts: The Over October Origin Story
Here's where it gets interesting. These guys didn't start as some manufactured boy band or childhood friends with a dream. They actually met through the Ateneo Musicians' Pool (AMP) – basically a college music organization where destiny decided to play matchmaker.
The whole thing started when Joshua Lua and Josh Buizon (seriously, what are the odds?) were grouped together for a recital. Lua literally told Buizon, "Bro, buo tayo ng banda, magkapangalan naman tayo" (Bro, let's form a band, we have the same name anyway). And honestly? That might be the most Filipino way to start a band ever.
The Name Game: Why "Over October"?
Now, here's something the band themselves will tell you – there are two versions of how they got their name. There's the "press release version" where the founding members were born in October and wanted finals week to be "over," hence "Over October."
But Janessa, their drummer, spilled the real tea: "In reality, it just sounded nice."
I love their honesty about this. Sometimes the best band names don't have deep, philosophical meanings – they just sound cool.
The Struggle Was Real: From Food Park Gigs to Sold-Out Concerts
Let's keep it real for a moment. Over October's journey wasn't all sunshine and Billboard charts from the get-go. These guys paid their dues the hard way, playing at small restaurants and food parks where they'd often get paid in meals instead of cash.
Can you imagine? Here they are now, with sold-out concerts at the Music Museum, but just a few years ago, they were playing for their supper – literally. It's this kind of humble beginning that makes their current success so much sweeter.
The Music Evolution: From English-Only to Filipino Masterpieces
Here's something that might surprise you: Over October used to be hesitant about writing songs in Filipino. They admitted it was outside their comfort zone and thought they should "leave the Tagalog songwriting to the artists that were already good at it."
Thank goodness they changed their minds, right?
Their first Filipino track, "Sandali Lang," dropped in 2021, and it opened the floodgates for what would become some of their most beloved songs. Now, half of their latest album "Make Believe" is in Filipino, and honestly, their Filipino tracks hit different.
"Ikot": The Song That Changed Everything
Let's talk about the elephant in the room – or should I say, the earworm that's been living rent-free in everyone's head since 2024. "Ikot" isn't just a song; it's a phenomenon that perfectly captures what makes a hugot anthem so irresistible.
This track masterfully combines simple yet deeply relatable Filipino lyrics with a melody that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster, striking that perfect balance between fuzzy romantic feelings and the chaotic overthinking we all do when we're crushing on someone.
The song's success wasn't just measured in streams or radio play – it was so impactful that it landed Over October their first-ever Billboard Philippines Hot 100 entry at No. 60, which is pretty impressive for independent artists navigating the competitive music landscape on their own terms.
Their Discography: A Journey Through Sound
Over October's musical catalog of 2 albums and 2 EPs tells the story of a band that's constantly evolving, and when you listen to their releases chronologically, you can literally hear them growing as artists and finding their unique voice in the OPM landscape.
Free (2016) - EP: This is where it all began for Over October. Released under Red Ninja Production, this debut EP showcased the raw potential of five college friends who were still figuring out their sound. The EP established their early English-focused approach and laid the foundation for everything that would come after. It's fascinating to listen to this now and hear the seeds of what they would eventually become.
Press Play (2019) - Album: Their first full-length album marked a significant milestone after signing with MCA Music. This album represented Over October's first major statement as a complete band, featuring the lead single "Alive" that introduced many fans to their more polished, mature sound. Press Play showed they could sustain their creativity across a full album's worth of material, proving they weren't just a singles band but could craft cohesive musical experiences.
Maybe Today, Maybe Tomorrow (2021) - EP: Released during uncertain times, this EP perfectly captured the mood of navigating life's unpredictability with hope and resilience. This collection showcased Over October's growing confidence in their songwriting and their ability to channel contemporary feelings into relatable music. It also marked their willingness to explore more introspective themes while maintaining their signature optimistic undertone.
Make Believe (2024) - Album: This album represents Over October at their most evolved and confident. A decade into their journey, Make Believe weaves together varying narratives about different kinds of love, with half the songs beautifully crafted in Filipino. As the band explains, it's called "Make Believe" because all the stories are imagined scenarios, showcasing their storytelling maturity.
Some tracks date back to 2017 demos while others were written recently, making it a true collection of their growth over the years. The album demonstrates their mastered ability to blend English and Filipino songwriting seamlessly, creating deeply emotional connections with listeners through both languages.
The Musical Influences That Shape Their Sound
If you're wondering what Over October sounds like, they've described their evolution from a "very early 2000s sound" to something with "more depth" – incorporating different delays and layers that make their music feel fuller and more mature.
If you haven't seen Over October live, you're missing out on half the experience. These guys know how to work a crowd, and their concerts feel more like intimate gatherings than typical gigs.
Their recent sold-out shows at the Music Museum proved they've got that special something that translates beautifully from recorded music to live performance. The band members themselves were amazed by the growth – as Anton Rodriguez noted, "The fast growth wasn't expected but everything fell into place for Over October! Right place at the right time."
Over October draws inspiration from some pretty solid sources:
- John Mayer (you can hear it in their guitar work)
- Jason Mraz (that feel-good, storytelling vibe)
- Coldplay (the atmospheric, layered approach)
- Hillsong (probably where they get that uplifting, hopeful quality)
This blend creates something uniquely theirs – familiar enough to feel comfortable, different enough to stand out.
Meet the Octobears: The Fanbase That's More Like Family
One thing that sets Over October apart is their relationship with their fans, lovingly called "Octobears." This isn't your typical artist-fan dynamic – these guys genuinely treat their supporters like friends.
They organize free anniversary gigs just to give back, host hangouts with fans, and during concerts, you'll see them joking around between songs like they're catching up with old friends. It's authentic, it's heartwarming, and it's probably why their fanbase is so incredibly loyal.
The Octobears show up no matter what – traveling long distances, supporting every release, and basically serving as the backbone of the band's success. As the band puts it, "You make all the sacrifices worth it."
Why Over October Matters in Today's OPM Scene
In an age where social media often dictates what artists should create based on what might go viral, Over October stands as a refreshing reminder that authenticity still matters. They're not chasing trends – they're creating music that feels genuine to them.
Their willingness to step out of their comfort zone (hello, Filipino songwriting!), their genuine connection with fans, and their commitment to creative freedom make them important voices in the evolving landscape of OPM.
Here's something crucial about Over October's story – they're currently independent artists signed with Underdog Music PH. This comes after previous stints with Red Ninja Production and MCA Music/UMG Philippines.
Their journey through different labels and ultimately choosing independence shows they're serious about creative freedom. As Josh Buizon puts it, they want to be remembered as "one of the bands that, at the end of the day, released what we wanted to release."
The band isn't slowing down either. They're constantly working on new music and, as they teasingly mentioned, "October's around the corner and we always like to prepare something special for our fans during our anniversary month."
Final Thoughts: Why You Should Care About Over October
Look, in a world full of manufactured pop and algorithm-driven music, Over October represents something real. They're five friends who met in college, started playing music together, and never lost sight of why they started – the pure love of creating and sharing music.
Their journey from getting paid in meals to charting on Billboard Philippines is inspiring, but what's more impressive is how they've stayed true to themselves throughout the process. They write what they want to write, they maintain genuine relationships with their fans, and they're not afraid to step outside their comfort zone.
Whether you're a longtime Octobear or someone just discovering their music, Over October offers something increasingly rare in today's music landscape: authenticity, heart, and really good songs that stick with you long after the music stops.
So go ahead, dive into their discography. Start with "Ikot" if you haven't already, then work your way through "Make Believe," and don't sleep on their earlier stuff. Trust us, you'll understand why this band is generating so much buzz in the OPM scene.
And who knows? You might just find yourself becoming an Octobear too. Welcome to the family – they're always happy to have new friends along for the ride.
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