We’re three days away from Janessa’s band departure and we couldn’t Pa-ikot Ikot our way through it anymore. Over October just had their press conference at the El Calle, Newport where they shared exclusive concert pasabogs. The band reflected on their 12-year long friendship and artistry, and of course, sharing the stage with Janessa one last time.
Songs That Feels Different Now
Nostalgia feels as Over October distincts their sonic practice from performing their first EP, to playing it at the present.
The band shares that they’re even more meticulous now.
Josh Buizon shares throwback feels with their band’s growth.
During rehearsals when we practice songs from our earlier releases, it can’t help but to reminisce on those moments from the past when I sing it, when I play it. Even the way I sing has changed.”
As he adds,
There are some songs na sobrang hirap. There are some songs na, Uy, ba’t ang dali na pala nito as compared to before.
So it’s nice, it’s really a journey.”
Josh and Lua admit that their first discographies were lacking in Filipino songs. As they grew and learn, the two worked on songwriting. Lua’s pitching in to the writing and now Josh is more comfortable in performing Tagalog songs.
Addressing The Line-Up Change
During the media Q&A session, the band addressed one of the first things. Janessa’s leaving and what now. A line-up change can be tough, especially for the OG fans. Over October copes on communicating this change to the fans through comedy. There was a lot to consider. Now that it’s finally out, they just want to ease people into slowly accepting. As Lua shares,
Kahit sa concert, makikita nyo yun. It’s not like, senti sya. Pero we don’t want people to remember it as a sad moment. We want them to celebrate the years na kasama namin si Janessa.”
Communicating this transition to the fans means also sharing the exact reason why she had to leave upon the announcement. They assured the fans not leaving them an opportunity to guess which was a good way of being accountable to the fans.
Along with this, Janessa shares her future plans in art and in life.
I think I’m going to focus on, syempre rest, which is I think essential for everyone. I don’t think I’ll go back to how I was before with a day job in the office.
I still want to pursue art, whatever that may be, whether it’s music or tapping to different things.”
For life plans, Janessa says there’s a lot more to happen. Listing financial, opportunities and timing. To her, it’s a reset for what’s ahead.
Pre-Concert Feels
A lot of surprises are lined-up for Over October con. With bursting excitement, the band even teased some of the special guest performers. A surprise performance also took place at The El Calle with their songs “Lovestruck”, “123”, and their top banger “Ikot”.
A one-on-one interview with the band came after the presscon.
Over October shares their crowd observation as the world turns more digital. On performing live, the artist and the audience’s connection must meet. Back then, at gigs and local shows, it was a crowd of beers and vibes that filled the venue. Today, half of a full crowd would be occupied with recording phones.
Janae believes that it comes with the evolution of concert-watching experience.
Definitely, like our perspective is, mas okay yung concert experience kung nanonood ka lang. But you can’t just tell people that they experience it in the way they want to experience it. And a lot of the kids right now are digital natives.
That’s where their world is.”
For Anton it’s not always a bad thing.
Parang ironically, like, the more popular the song, the more phones are there. You would think that if a song is popular, then it means it resonates with more people, and it means that they would want to experience it more.”
Adding,
Parang there’s a desire to preserve it.”
Starving Artists Who Made It
It’s still a dream, for Over October, or for anyone to make a living out of their music. As the band prepares big things for the concert, they see it as a trip down to memory lane with Janessa. Newer arrangements, banger line-up and full on stage spirit. Lua also shared the longevity of knowing Janessa more then the lifespan of the band.
Quoting wherever and whatever she does in the future, they will be supportive as good friends.
It was many changing seasons for the band. From college, to work, to complete adulthood. Weddings, switching careers, change of a heart, and leaving your beloved band.
For an indie band who used to live off gig per gig, days come to the light as they have to perform at the New Frontier. Which really did cover the 12 years of hard work and on. It was also 12 years full for the band’s drummer Janessa Geronimo — set to play with the band for the last time this October 4, 2026 at the New Frontier Theater.
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