Brandon October

Brandon Steve October (born 30 May 1977) is a South African pop singer-songwriter, who rose to fame after being runner-up in the first season of the reality television show South African Pop Idols in 2002.

Brandon October
Background information
Birth nameBrandon Steve October
Born1977 (age 42–43)
Cape Town, South Africa
GenresAlternative, Pop, Rock, Electronic
Occupation(s)Singer Songwriter
InstrumentsVocals & Keyboards
Years active1994–present
LabelsSony BMG - BAKK Records
Associated actsFrom the Heart Singers, No Compromise
Websitewww.brandonoctober.com

Early life

Brandon October was born in Cape Town at Groote Schuur Hospital.

A third generation Jamaican, German, and Dutch, he was surrounded by a family of singers.[1] As a child, October listened to a considerable amount of classical music, and one of his early influences was Luciano Pavarotti.

At an early age, he performed vocal solos in church and in male quartets. Later, he sang first tenor with a gospel group called From The Heart Singers and spent five years with the group touring around South Africa. While living in Cape Town, October also worked as a lifesaver.[2]

He then moved to Johannesburg and joined a four piece gospel group called No Compromise.[3] While singing for No Compromise, a colleague entered him in the South Africa version of Pop Idol.

Career

Prior to his appearance on Pop Idol in 2002, October had made a career in advertising and was working in Johannesburg as an advertising company designer and art director.[4] At the time of Pop Idol, he stated in an interview that his career ambition was to own his own advertising agency.[3]

Pop Idol South Africa

October first appeared on television in 2002 as an entrant to the South African Pop Idol show. He made an impression on the judges for both his looks and his singing voice.[5] He lost in the final to Heinz Winckler by 580,000 votes (40.21% to 37.82%).[6]

A row over the result erupted in the South African press, with accusations of racism and vote rigging. Although the vote had been close, many commentators felt that the winner - who was white - had turned in a substantially poorer performance than the runner-up - who was black.[7]

Post Pop Idol

October appeared on a compilation album Idols: The Album. He signed a recording contract with BMG Africa, and his first album Temptation was released in October 2003. Temptation was nominated for a 2004 SAMA award in the category of Best Pop Album. Three singles from the album also achieved chart-topping status at both national and regional radio in South Africa.[8]

In 2007, October released an album titled Opsoek na Liefde, and followed it with a national tour in 2008 to promote the album.

2011 saw the release of October's third studio album. This self-titled album was nominated for a SAMA award in the category of Best Pop Album.

Television

In 2003, October co-hosted Voila, a lifestyle program on M-net. He was a guest presenter on Pasella (SABC3), and co-hosted three series of the TV show Supersterre (SABC2). October has also been one of the judges of the reality television show Ons Soek Die Sanger on Kyknet. Brandon was a field presenter on JAM, a music show on Kyknet.

Musical style

October's musical influences range from the smooth sounds of Beach Boys Brian Wilson to the rock vocals of Freddie Mercury, opera, and classical music.

Over the last ten years he's explored with different sounds and is more heavily influenced by 90's rock; Oasis, The Verve and Radiohead.

Discography
  • 2004. Temptation CD
  • 2006. Idols Christmas Album
  • 2006. Skouspel CD
  • 2006. Skouspel DVD
  • 2007. Daar Waar Liefde Staan CD
  • 2007. Kaapse Jol CD
  • 2007. Skouspel CD
  • 2007. Skouspel DVD
  • 2009. Skouspel CD
  • 2009. Skouspel DVD
  • 2010. Skouspel CD
  • 2010. Skouspel DVD
  • 2011. Brandon October CD
  • 2012. Droomvrou CD
  • 2018. Coenie de Villiers - Pure Coenie CD.
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References
  1. October, Brandon (2008–2009). "Brandon October Biography". Brandon October. Archived from the original on 28 June 2009. Retrieved 25 May 2009.
  2. "Fantastic and incredible". Review of Pop Idol. News24. 16 April 2002. Retrieved 25 May 2009.
  3. "Brandon October". News24. 14 May 2002. Archived from the original on 16 August 2005. Retrieved 25 May 2009.
  4. "First 2 contestants through to top 10". Review of second week of Pop Idol. News24. 15 April 2002. Archived from the original on 16 February 2009. Retrieved 25 May 2009.
  5. "The good, the bad, the brazen". Review of first night of Pop Idol SA. News24. 8 April 2002. Retrieved 25 May 2009.
  6. "Brandon was so so close". News24. 17 June 2002. Retrieved 26 May 2009.
  7. "Row over South African Pop Idol". BBC. 25 June 2002. Retrieved 26 May 2009.
  8. "Brandon October". Actor profile. TVSA. Retrieved 26 May 2009.
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