Justin Furstenfeld

Name Justin Furstenfeld
Birth date 1975
Land USA
Stadt unbekannt

Blue October


Justin Stewart Furstenfeld (born December 14, 1975 in Houston, Texas) is a record producer, artist and the lead singer, guitarist, lyricist and frontman of the American rock band Blue October.

PERSONAL LIFE

When not touring with his band, Furstenfeld resides in San Marcos, Texas. He has a daughter, Blue (born in 2007), to whom several of the songs on the current Blue October album Approaching Normal are dedicated. He is the brother of Blue October drummer Jeremy Furstenfeld. Justin Furstenfeld has battled with bipolar disorder through most of his life. He has his condition under control, saying in an interview that "I'm not a danger to myself [anymore]."

CAREER

Growing up, Furstenfeld listened to hip-hop, rock, country, dance; his favorite artists included Marvin Gaye, The Smiths, Red House Painters and Pink Floyd. His first musical memory was Roy Orbison's ballad, "Crying".

During his high school years at Houston's prestigious High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA), he formed a band The Last Wish, which he played in from the age of 13 until 1995. When performing solo, Furstenfeld uses the moniker 5591;, the number 5591 being his patient number when he was admitted to a mental institution following a breakup with his then-girlfriend Amanda. He tells this story in the confessionals on the Argue With a Tree DVD (found in the Special Features).

His vocal and performance style has been likened to Peter Gabriel and "Fish" of Marillion.

He has written over 500 songs and counts among his influences: Michael Stipe, The Cure, The Smiths, The Pixies, Peter Gabriel, Idaho, Elliott Smith, Blue Miller, George Winston, Jean Michel Basquiat and U2.

Furstenfeld also co-wrote and performed guest vocals on the Canvas song "All About You" from their album Four Days Awake.

In August 2008, Furstenfeld toured with Stephenie Meyer, author of the Twilight series, in a sold out 4-city book/concert tour.

October 22nd 2009, Pick Up The Phone Tour was cancelled after Justin was admitted to a hospital for an extreme mental anxiety attack.

Furstenfeld is also an artist, and his paintings have appeared on the covers of two Blue October albums, The Answers and History for Sale. His artwork is also featured on T-shirts and posters for the band.