Slowly… but all at once: Over October’s decade to the spotlight
Over October might be familiar to many listeners through “Ikot,” the hit that marked a turning point in their growing presence in the OPM scene. But what many may not realize is that this rising band has actually been a decade in the making.
Banded by birth month
Formed in October 2014, Over October spent their earliest years performing in intimate bars, campus events, and other small venues—building their audience, one listener at a time. The band is composed of Joshua Caleb Lua (lead guitarist), Josh Buizon (lead vocalist), Janessa Geronimo (drummer), Joric Canlas (bassist), and Anton Rodriguez (rhythm guitarist).
Lua and Buizon, who co-founded the band, share the same birth month—October—which inspired the group’s name. They carved out their identity through steady growth and heartfelt songwriting, releasing their EP Free in 2016 and standout singles such as “Never Stop” in 2017 and “Wait” in 2018. By 2019, they expanded their catalog with “Mr. Sun,” “Alive,” and “Without Your Love,” eventually culminating in their debut album Press Play.
These early releases became a soundtrack to the coming-of-age experiences their fans were growing through—a quiet but lasting presence long before the mainstream began to take notice.
Which is why being voted the first-ever headliner of Spotify Philippines’ Tatak Pinoy Live feels like the perfect full-circle moment.
Love in all its subtle forms
In partnership with TV5’s Vibe, Spotify’s Tatak Pinoy Live transforms OPM listening into an interactive experience. Instead of simply streaming a song, fans vote for the artist they want to see onstage. The winning act earns a live performance aired nationwide, while selected voters gain access to the Spotify Premium Fan Lounge, where they can meet the artist before watching the performance from the front row.
For Over October, the win carried the weight of the journey behind it.
“It’s an honor…we’re really thankful to all the fans that voted for us,” Buizon tells Lifestyle Inquirer. “We’re excited to kick off Tatak Pinoy Live and excited to see the acts after us.”
Their headlining performance centers on their new release “Dahan,” a track that reflects the band’s long experience writing about love in all its subtle forms.
Lua, the band’s lead guitarist, offers a closer look at how the song came to be. “When we write songs, we usually think in scenarios. For this one, we imagined two people who have known each other for a long time, slowly developing feelings, and then realizing everything all at once,” he says.
Geronimo adds a line that perfectly encapsulates both the song and the band’s arc. “Slowly… but all at once,” she says.
Expect more music
But this Tatak Pinoy Live version of “Dahan” comes with changes the band made specifically for this performance.
“The experience is also new for our fans because they get to see us up close. The setup is incredibly intimate compared to our usual gigs, where the crowd can be a bit farther away. The live version has subtle changes as well—there are a few tweaks we made just for this performance,” says Lua.
What makes this moment resonate even more is how it happened. Tatak Pinoy Live relied on Filipino listeners who streamed, voted daily, and championed the band into the spotlight—a shift in how OPM is experienced today.
“It allows people to experience the music in a different, special way, maybe something they’ll only experience once, “ says Buizon.
“It’s very special because it started with voting, and a lot of times, when a fandom or a group of supporters votes, it usually ends there. But here, it comes full circle because they voted for us, and they have a big participation in the event itself, so they’re really with us,” Rodriguez adds.
As for what comes next, the band leaves a simple message for their listeners: expect more music.
Over October’s journey was never about rushing to the top. It was about showing up and letting the music find its way. Ten years later, it finally has—on a stage big enough to match the heart they’ve always poured into their craft.
Slowly…but all at once.
