Billboard requires a JavaScript enabled browser to get the full experience

Blue October Expands Reach On New Album

Comments

by Gary Graff, Detroit  |   December 30, 2008 11:28 EST

Blue October

Blue October plans to "go global" with its fifth album, "Approaching Normal," according to bassist Matt Noveskey.

"We want to go international," Noveskey tells Billboard.com, adding that the plan will be in motion in January when the quintet group flies to Europe for a 10-day promotional swing after it films the video for new single "Dirt Room."

"It's real exciting because the last record (2006's platinum 'Foiled') did real well here (in the U.S.) and just never really got that chance (in Europe). One thing we all said was, 'Man, the next record, we've got to go global,' so right off the bat as part of our campaign we'll go over and start making a splash overseas."

"Approaching Normal," which was produced by Steve Lillywhite and recorded at Willie Nelson's Pedernales Studios near Blue October's home base of Austin, Texas, is due March 24 from Universal. Noveskey says that while frontman Justin Furstenfeld remains the chief songwriter, this album "was more of a group effort where we all got together and worked up a lot of these songs from scratch. It made us feel good as a team. There's a lot of camaraderie on this record."

Noveskey says the dynamic range of the album is more "dramatic-slash-theatrical" than its predecessors and spans "from the saddest, most depressing moments to the happiest, most joyful moments we've ever done." "Approaching Normal" includes studio versions of older fan favorites such as "Kangaroo Cry" and "Graceful Dancing" and will also come out in explicit and "clean" versions, each containing a different bonus track.

Once the album's out, Noveskey says Blue October plans to "tour like we always do ... big time. We're gonna be relentless. It's gonna be a lot of work and it'll be tough being away from our families, but we're gonna work very hard."

Up for Discussion

Post Comment

Sort By

More Features

All features

Get your recommended daily allowance of music news in one two-minute video dose.

The Chart Game: Can you predict the hotness?

Win Seven Nirvana Albums

Thanks For Joining Billboard

Log in to create your profile, speak your mind and connect with listeners like you.

Why Join ?

Don't just hear it. Live it. Go deeper than a casual listen: Voice your feelings, build a profile around your favorite music, connect with people who share your passions and discover new ones. Sign up for free.

Complete Your Registration at Billboard.com!

Haven't Joined Yet ?

For the full Billboard experience, you need to be a member. Sign up. It's free.

Join Billboard

Forgot your password?

Enter the e-mail address you used to sign up and we will email you the password .

Email Sent !

Your password has been sent to the email address you provided. Please sign in below :

Log In

Forget your password ?

Action Successful

We'd love to hear your feedback on the new Billboard.com!

Whether it's a feature request or a bug

We want to hear from you. Please use this form to anonymously give us your input.

open
close

CLICK PLAY TO RESUME