New Zealand-born, London-based singer & songwriter October and the Eyes is sharing her new single & video “Playing God“online today. The track follows on from her debut single “All My Love” and is taken from her upcoming debut EP ‘Dogs and Gods‘ due Nov 20th via KRO Records.
Speaking about the new single, October explained “‘Playing God’ is about the innate human desire for power and control but also our ability to cry “poor little ole’ me” when it all gets too much.”
“It’s also hugely laced with irony, humour and contradictions – I’ll be the first to admit my lust for control, yet I’m also ready to laugh at myself (at my own expense) at how farcical our trivial desires for such things seem in the grand scheme of life. It seems I’m constantly battling between bolstering my ever fragile ego and humbling myself by how embarrassed I am by my own existence. I am a constant contradiction – I think all humans are.”
On the visuals behind the new track, October added “The video references my favourite cinema of transgression videographer Richard Kern’s ‘Submit To Me Now’ film. To me the title and video of his film both represent the inherent sexual power that the female body and mind possess – our ability to ‘play god’ at our own choosing. Also it’s just a sick video visually and Lung Leg looks badass and I can only hope to be half as rad as her one day.”
Listen to & watch “Playing God” here:https://youtu.be/otfvp-e8CyE
October is no new-comer to music – despite only being 23, the New Zealand born musician has been involved in musical pursuits since she was a child. Heralding from a musical family, the prospect of pursuing music in one form or another was almost inescapable: A classical pianist mother, fanatic music fan father, and two older multi- instrumentalist brothers who were always holding their band practices in the family playroom. October’s childhood was that of a humble upbringing; having grown up in a small rural town in New Zealand’s wine country, she turned to songwriting as a means to stave the boredom away. She taught herself how to record and produce her own music aged 12, locking herself away in her bedroom for hours on end, and hasn’t looked back since. Claiming the internet raised her, it’s clear she had her sights set on broader horizons and bigger cities.
Having moved half way across the world to her new home in East London, October has remained true to her traditional isolated writing style by holing up in her East London flat for several months and writing a small collection of songs that can be described as dizzying, darkly kaleidoscopic, and dauntless above all. Impressively, October produced the ‘Dogs and Gods’ EP herself, creating a sonic universe that heralds her heroes of yesteryear, whilst never losing sight of the future.
October describes her musical style as ‘collage-rock’ (not the be confused with college rock). Pulling musical inspiration from the likes of Bauhaus, Bowie, Siouxsie Sioux and Suicide, she then squeezes her influences through the gauze of modernity and electronics, thus creating something entirely of her own.
With nods to acid rock, psychobilly and post-punk, October and The Eyes’ music is equal parts nostalgia-drenched as it is future forward, employing layers of ambient synth drones to anchor the crunched guitars and jagged organ parts. Delivered with a twisted theatricality, her vocals pendulum between commanding chants and soothing coo’s, proving that not only is she a versatile songwriter and producer, but a versatile vocalist too.
Thematically the ‘Dogs and Gods’ EP explores the complex dynamics of love, lust and infidelity in the 21st century. Her first single “Playing God” is laced with irony and humour – her vocals boldly proclaiming “I enjoy playing The God” with unabashed hubris, whilst later insisting “poor little old me!”.
‘Dogs and Gods‘ appears an exercise in contrasts and contradictions; the second track “All My Love” lures you into a warm embrace of October’s coy and breathy sweet-nothings, only to push you away again on “You Deserve it”, with the venomous delivery of the opening line “Do what you want, you deserve it! I’m only thinking just the same”.
Witnessing a live performance from October And The Eyes is equal parts bewildering as it is uncomfortable. October is not afraid to isolate a lucky (or unlucky) member of the audience with her penetrating stare, and simply hold them at ransom with unwavering black eyes. Cutting her teeth within the Auckland music scene of NZ, October And The Eyes’ live shows effortlessly command trance like engagement from her audience. October And The Eyes was supposed to join Yves Tumor on selected European tour dates, but due to certain pandemic circumstances, will sadly be no more.
Covid-19 may have put a hold on the live music scene for 2020, but all going well, October And The Eyes will surely be back with a roaring vengeance with come 2021 – fully fleshed five piece band and all.
With ‘Dogs and Gods‘ EP set for release Nov 20th via KRO Records, it’s hard not to be intrigued about what October might do next. Best you keep all ears and eyes on October And The Eyes.
Pre-order Dogs and Gods EP here.
Dogs and Gods tracklist:
1. Playing God (Youtube)
2. All My Love (Youtube)
3. Wander Girl
4. You Deserve It
5. The Unraveling
6. Dark Dog
Dogs and Gods artwork:
