Justin Furstenfeld
Justin Steward 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.
Growing up, Furstenfeld listened to hip-hop, rock, country, dance; his favorite artists included Marvin Gaye, The Smiths, Red House Painters and Pink Floyd.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. His first musical memory was Roy Orbison’s ballad, "Crying".During his high school years at Houston’s prestigious The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, he met Ryan Paul Delahoussaye, to which they played in a band, The Last Wish, from the age of 13 until 1995 When performing solo, Furstenfeld uses the moniker 5591; the number 5591 was 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.
When not touring with his band, Furstenfeld resides with his wife Lisa and daughter Blue (born in 2007) in San Marcos, Texas. 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" While running the bases at a minor league baseball field in Clearwater, Florida, he broke his leg and required surgery, which resulted in the postponement of several concert dates and had many stand-ins playing guitar while he just sang. According to a VH1 online article about the band, "Into the Ocean" has had an impact on many listeners who may have been contemplating suicide.
In August of 2008, Furstenfeld toured with Stephenie Meyer, author of the Twilight series, in a sold out 4-city book/concert tour.
