songs got a lot happier— which isn’ t always an easy transition in rock music.“ It’ s hard to write about gratitude and peace” without coming across as cheesy or nerdy, he explains.“ But I’ ve only just tapped into it. I have so much more to write about.”

It may take a lot of hard work to be as happy as Justin is, but over several lineups in the band and eleven studio albums, Blue October have nailed down their process. After Justin and Eric Holtz, his writing partner, come up with a song, the band are given their assignments.“ We’ ll say‘ Okay, this day you’ re coming in to do this part, and this day you’ re coming in to do this part,’” says Justin. Everybody’ s ideas are brought to his studio for recording, which keeps the music fresh and creative. The result:“ We just write so much. The guys were like‘ Hey, can you narrow it down to maybe forty songs?’” he laughs.

That kind of songwriting volume isn’ t a problem for Justin, though. It’ s actually what’ s fueling Blue October’ s next three releases. And he won’ t deprive his audiences of his newest material.“ I can’ t keep anything quiet,” he says.“ I’ ll always play my music

for them, and give them little insights as to what we’ re about to put out.” But long-time fans can be assured that they’ ll hear songs that go way back in Blue October’ s repertoire too, Justin promises.“ I’ ve gotta play all those, because that’ s what people love. These people have been coming to see us for twenty years.”

Covering all their bases onstage is why Blue October often plays for more than two hours every night on tour. To play less, Justin says, feels like he’ s cheating people out of what they paid for their tickets.“ Our manager’ s always like,‘ Just play for an hour and twenty minutes!’” he laughs.“ But we have so many songs, how do you make everybody happy?”

As for what we can expect on March 8 at the Brown County Music Center, Justin credits his road crew for making Blue October shows a top-notch production.“ We just get up and jam, but without our crew it wouldn’ t be any kind of show at all.”

For more information about Blue October’ s appearance at the Brown County Music Center, please contact the box office at 812-988-5323 or visit < www. browncountymusiccenter. com >. •

March 8 Blue October March 11 Nitty Gritty Dirt Band March 17 Girl Named Tom March 19 Scotty McCreery March 25 38 Special March 26 Lewis Black April 14 Crystal Gayle April 18 Cheap Trick

For additional shows and tickets visit: www. BrownCountyMusicCenter. com

March / April 2023 • Our Brown County 39