Brandon October
Encyclopedia
Brandon Steve October is a South Africa
n pop
singer-songwriter
, who rose to fame after being runner-up in the first season of the reality television show, South African Pop Idols.
- home of the world's first heart transplant.
A third generation Jamaican, German and Dutch he was surrounded by a family of singers.
, and one of his early influences was the Maestro Luciano Pavarotti
.
Evidence of his singing talent was evident from an early age and very soon he was performing vocal solos in church. He then went on to perform with various choirs and quartets in which he gained more experience. Thereafter he sang first tenor with a gospel group called From The Heart Singers and spent 5 years with the group touring around South Africa. He then moved to Johannesburg
and joined a four piece gospel group called No Compromise.
While singing for No Compromise a work colleague entered him in the South Africa version of Pop Idol.
to the more raunchy rock vocals of Freddie Mercury
, Opera
and classical music. It's this varied blend of singers and musical styles that have created and forged Brandon's sound. A sound that's at first tender and fragile then erupting into raunchy rock.
Boasting a three octave range in full voice is something he laughs off, humbly he says: 'What I do, others do too. As singers/entertainers/songwriters we are here to inspire, unplift, entertain and encourage through our performances and songs'. 'I was blessed with a special gift and it's my responsibility to make full use of that gift,' he says with a smile.
Prior to his appearance on Pop Idol in 2002, Brandon October had made a career in advertising, and was working in Johannesburg as an advertising company designer and art director. At the time of Pop Idol, he stated in an interview that his career ambition was to own his own advertising agency.
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.
In 2007 Brandon released an album titled Opsoek na Liefde. In 2008 he went on a national tour to promote the album.
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
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
, who rose to fame after being runner-up in the first season of the reality television show, South African Pop Idols.
Early life
Brandon October was born in Cape Town at Groote Schuur HospitalGroote Schuur Hospital
Groote Schuur Hospital is a large, government-funded, teaching hospital situated on the slopes of Devil's Peak in the city of Cape Town, South Africa...
- home of the world's first heart transplant.
A third generation Jamaican, German and Dutch he was surrounded by a family of singers.
Musical background
As a child, Brandon listened to a considerable amount of Classical musicClassical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
, and one of his early influences was the Maestro Luciano Pavarotti
Luciano Pavarotti
right|thumb|Luciano Pavarotti performing at the opening of the Constantine Palace in [[Strelna]], 31 May 2003. The concert was part of the celebrations for the 300th anniversary of [[St...
.
Evidence of his singing talent was evident from an early age and very soon he was performing vocal solos in church. He then went on to perform with various choirs and quartets in which he gained more experience. Thereafter he sang first tenor with a gospel group called From The Heart Singers and spent 5 years with the group touring around South Africa. He then moved to Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
and joined a four piece gospel group called No Compromise.
While singing for No Compromise a work colleague entered him in the South Africa version of Pop Idol.
Musical Influences
Brandon's musical influences are diverse and range from the smooth sounds of 50's star Johnny MathisJohnny Mathis
John Royce "Johnny" Mathis is an American singer of popular music. Starting his career with singles of standards, he became highly popular as an album artist, with several dozen of his albums achieving gold or platinum status, and 73 making the Billboard charts...
to the more raunchy rock vocals of Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury was a British musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen. As a performer, he was known for his flamboyant stage persona and powerful vocals over a four-octave range...
, Opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
and classical music. It's this varied blend of singers and musical styles that have created and forged Brandon's sound. A sound that's at first tender and fragile then erupting into raunchy rock.
Boasting a three octave range in full voice is something he laughs off, humbly he says: 'What I do, others do too. As singers/entertainers/songwriters we are here to inspire, unplift, entertain and encourage through our performances and songs'. 'I was blessed with a special gift and it's my responsibility to make full use of that gift,' he says with a smile.
Career
While living in Cape Town, Brandon October once worked as a lifesaver.Prior to his appearance on Pop Idol in 2002, Brandon October had made a career in advertising, and was working in Johannesburg as an advertising company designer and art director. At the time of Pop Idol, he stated in an interview that his career ambition was to own his own advertising agency.
Pop Idol SA 2002
Brandon October first appeared on television as an entrant to the South African Pop Idol show in 2002. He made an instant impression on the judges, both for his looks and his singing voice. He was beaten in the final by 580,000 votes (37.82% to 40.21% ) by Heinz Winckler.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.
Post Pop Idol
Brandon October appeared on a compilation album Idols: The Album, released by Marcus Brewer, producer of Pop Idol. He gained a recording contract with BMG Africa, and his first album Temptation released in October 2003, was nominated for a 2004 SAMA award in the category of Best Pop Album. Three singles off the album also achieved chart-topping status at both national and regional radio in South Africa.In 2007 Brandon released an album titled Opsoek na Liefde. In 2008 he went on a national tour to promote the album.
Discography
2004. Temptation CD2006. 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