-- October Changes gets shredded! --
27/10/2020
Stijn Daneels
Interview conducted and written by Stijn "Metal Shredder" Daneels.
A while ago
I asked Mike De Coene from Hard Life Promotion to arrange me an interview with
the Belgian gothic/industrial metal act October Changes, especially since the
band’s vocalist Wendy has been a prominent follower of Belgian Metal Shredder.
And with the band now having released two singles this year, “Decay of Sleeping
Beauty” and “The Puppet Factory,” it’s about time that I get them shredded,
through Skype giving COVID circumstances of course.
So I called
up the band's vocalist Wendy Van Craen to talk about October Changes’ metalcore-inspired origins and band
name, the making of “The Decay Of Sleeping Beauty” single and how it compares
to their usual work and we talk some Disney stuff.
BMS: Hello Wendy, great to have you here on Skype. Tell me, how did October Changes begin?
Wendy:
Pleased to hear from you, Shredder. Well, the story of October Changes begins
in 2018 when Luk, our rhythm guitarist, came up with the idea to start a
metalcore/rapcore act with male vocals. By the end of that year, however, he
changed his view for the band towards a more Linkin Park inspired band and
eventually to a more atmospheric rock style with female vocals. And that’s how
October Changes gained its current creative form.
BMS: So you joined the band at a later time, right?
Wendy:
Indeed, I’ve joined October Changes in February 2019, when the band’s name,
style and concept was already established. But what I can tell you the idea
behind October Changes’ name. Luk has always been a big fan of metalcore bands
like Texas In July and August Burns Red and since he gave the band’s music
style such a big change back in October 2018 Luk decided to call his new
project October Changes.
BMS: Well, that kind of makes me think of the October Revolution.
Wendy:
Yeah, you’re not the first one who’s having that idea (and probably not the
last one either), but the name has nothing to do with world history, only with the
history of our band itself.
BMS: Now tell me something about the creative influences behind October Changes.
Wendy: Although
we get much inspiration from our daily lives we did want to have some
consistency within our songs’ themes. We eventually came up with the idea to
base our songs on fairy tales but combined with contemporary elements. Events
from our own lives of from what we hear in the media or even sound effects we
discover in the Sound Library.
BMS: I see,
now, one of your most recent songs is “Decay of Sleeping Beauty.” I’ve noticed
that this particular single’s style has a more intimate, guitar-driven and
straightforward style compared to the more industrial sound from your other
single, “The Puppet Factory.”
Wendy: To
be honest, “Decay of Sleeping Beauty” is quite a unique song while “The Puppet
Factory” is a more accurate presentation of October Changes’ usual style. Our
goal is to give our material a good sense of variety with aggressive industrial
tunes like Puppet Factory and soft-spoken ballads like Sleeping Beauty.
Something for everyone!
BMS: Great plan! I do genuinely like your sound, it’s heavy and compelling and your vocals give the whole thing a symphonic touch. Now, I’d like to know more about the making of behind “Decay Of Sleeping Beauty,” because, as you said earlier, it’s a very different song compared to the usual October Changes mold.
Wendy: Sure!
The song began with a couple of piano riffs which I had come up with and had
sent to our drummer Wesley, who finished its composition. While searching for
lyrics for the song, we decided to take the classic fairy tale of Sleeping
Beauty since it’s story fitted the music’s atmosphere. But as always, we’ve
given the tale a darker and much more tragic twist since in our version the
prince doesn’t come to save her which results in Sleeping Beauty spending a
1000 years in isolation and her eventually coming to the realization that the
prince has completely forgotten about her and that gives her a full mental
breakdown.
Wendy: We
also made sure to visualize this story and that’s why the lyric video features
desolated city landscapes, a tower surrounded by barbed wire and of course
plenty of roses and blood.
BMS: Indeed, it’s a very visually stunning video. Now, I’d really like to know whether you, like me, are a huge Disney fan?
Wendy: I
admit I can certainly enjoy a good Disney movie and who knows, maybe we’ll add
in some classic Disney film references in our future songs.
BMS: My favorite Disney movie is the Lion King, so if you ever decide to make a song inspired by the Lion King I’d listen to it all day long!
Wendy:
Thanks for the tip!
BMS: Don’t mention it! So, what were October Changes’ initial plans before the Coronavirus pandemic?
Wendy: We
were busy rehearsing our setlist since we were planning to do our first live
gigs this year. Originally the weekend of June 6 was supposed to be our live
debut and we even had 4 more gigs planned afterwards. Now, our first gig might
be next year in the Ragnarok Music Club in Bree along with our friends called
Cathubodua. Obviously that will depend on how this horrible pandemic will
evolve, but we remain optimistic and keep our eyes open for any gig opportunities.
BMS: How did you rehearse during this year’s lockdown?
Wendy: Since
we live quite far from one another we didn’t often come together to all
rehearse at once. During the lockdown period we rehearsed separately in our own
homes using a rehearsal track wherein every single instrument can be turned on
or off separately. In addition, we hold an online meeting every Friday wherein
we discuss new creative ideas and the other practical aspects involved.
BMS: I see, very good. What other things do you do in life aside from October Changes.
Wendy:
Aside from raising my toddler son I also have a keen interest in graphic design
(I handle all of October Changes’ artwork) and social networking, something
that our founding member Luk has much passion for as well. Wesley, Sven and
Bert, our drummer, bassist and second guitarist respectively, are all
passionate gamers and finally Wesley also plays in a cover band called Döst
wherein the play classic rock songs from the 1960s and 1970s but with a heavier
twist.
BMS: That’s quite interesting, since I’m quite a fan of 60s & 70s pop and rock music myself. I’ll check it out!
Wendy: You
do that, and thank you for the shred!
