Blue October recalls holiday memories

Blue October singer Justin Furstenfeld has fond memories of Christmas with his brother/future drummer Jeremy.

Furstenfeld’s Christmas memories evoke simpler times when the temperatures called for snuggling, and the holiday wasn’t yet a technological juggernaut.

“My fondest memory of Christmas is in the ’80s,” Furstenfeld said. 

“We had these old-school Christmas lights. The lights were big, not HD, and small. I loved looking at Christmas lights with my mom and dad, and looking out the window, seeing a star and asking, ‘Is that Santa?’”

The Texas-born band headlines the Alt AZ 93.3 Ugly Sweater Holiday Party 2025 on Friday, December 12, and Saturday, December 13, at the Van Buren.

Blue October presented two gifts to fans this year — the singles “Everything We Lost in the Fire” and the sexy, distortion-heavy “Hot Stuff.”

The Furstenfeld boys are known for their curiosity. They glanced at the wrapped presents and noticed that one box was slightly moving. 

“We tried to guess what was in the box,” Furstenfeld said.

“My brother thought it was a chicken. I said, ‘A chicken? Why would we have a freakin’ chicken, bro?’ It turned out to be the cutest fucking puppy.”

Furstenfeld’s parents strived for creativity. They were the first in their neighborhood to buy a trampoline. 

“My dad made a scavenger hunt that led us to the back yard, where there was a trampoline,” he said with a laugh from Milwaukee. 

“In Houston (in the ’90s), if you had a trampoline, people thought you must be rich. My dad made all of my friends’ parents sign permission slips. My dad was the shit.” 

The road to musical success wasn’t easy, as Furstenfeld battled mental health and addiction issues. He took on odd jobs while he tried to “make it.”

“I didn’t think this shit was going to work out,” he said. “I (worked as) an exterminator, waited tables, worked at mental health hospitals, cleaned hospitals,” he said. “I did whatever I could.”

Furstenfeld was treated for depression in Texas in the late 1990s. Afterward, Blue October released “The Answers,” which addresses depression and suicidal ideation. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in late 2009 following an anxiety attack aboard a plane.

To raise awareness of mental health issues, he released the 2020 documentary “Get Back Up,” which addresses his battle.

He has been sober since May 2012. He is empathetic toward the challenges artists face.

“I was looking at Lily Allen,” Fursetenfeld explained. “I thought, ‘Oh darn. She’s pretty hurt. Some shit must have happened.’ I go on social media, and she’s dragging her husband through the shit. We work too hard for that.”

Now, Blue October is celebrating its 30th anniversary. 

Blue October—who has found success with songs like “I Hope You’re Happy,” “Hate Me” and “Into the Ocean”—has toured the world.

Although Blue October is writing new material, Furstenfeld said an album won’t be released anytime soon.

“During COVID, we released three albums,” he said.

“People are just now catching up on the last records. We’re letting them catch up. If an artist keeps plastering me with songs, I’d tell them, ‘Shit, take a breather.’ That’s why we’re celebrating the entire catalog of 30 years.”

Those songs are concert staples now, and that’s where the musical similarities will start and end at the two Van Buren shows. 

“We will do different sets for the fans who have tickets to both shows,” said Furstenfeld, who is also an accomplished author and perfumer. 

“The shows will have a lot of positive energy and a lot of celebrating. We want to enjoy what we have.” 

That sentiment will continue in 2026. After this jaunt, the band will take a break and then prepare for the  anniversary of its fourth studio album, “Foiled.” Universal Music Group will release the collection on vinyl.

“We’ll go on tour with that album,” Furstenfeld said. “Then, we’ll take a break for a while. It’s a blessing that we have so many songs. We’re celebrating our whole catalog, we have a new album coming, and then we’ll hit it again.”

Neither success nor repetition has spoiled Blue October.

“Bro, I love making music,” he said. “We stopped trying to be No. 1. No. 1 is just a number these days. Art is a state of mind these days. 

“With any song, you just have to connect with people. We’re grateful to have the opportunity to connect with human beings on the road. Right now, we’re at the Rave in Milwaukee. We’ve played here 18 times since 1999. It never gets old.”

He said he feels blessed to have booked two nights at The Van Buren.

“The Van Buren,” Furstenfeld said. “I brought my son and daughter there for the first time. They have the coolest backstage. It’s one of the best places we get to play on the road. 

“I’m happy just playing that club. The first time, when my kids were playing with other kids, I thought, ‘Oh my god. We made it.’”

Blue October performs as part of the Alt AZ 93.3 Ugly Sweater Holiday Party 2025 on Friday, December 13, at The Van Buren.