taken from Sites & Sounds Vol. 6, Issue 17 - April 4th, 1996

October Project

October is a month on the point of balance between life and death. The sky is never so blue and clear, and the woods never smell so sweet, but summer is gone. It's the last precious bloom of life before winter settles down over the land. October is also the time when the walls between the worlds fade to their thinnest, and magic can easily wak out of your dreams and into the world.

Like the month for which they are named, October Project's music is both sensual and spiritual, both light and dark, exuberant and haunted. Hearing singer Mary Fahl perform live, backed by the full touring band, is a visceral experience: she has a rich, deep voice that can rise from a hushed, intense whisper to a powerful tidal roar. With and sudience following that destroys stereotypes, and October Project show is enrapturing - sometimes people dance, but just as often stand there swaying with the beat, entranced. Chances are you won't be the only person singing the words along with the band either!

An established band now with lots of touring behind them, expect October Project to play most of their second CD, Falling Farther In (Epic), as well as a sampling from their eponymous debut album, and maybe some new songs. Expect, Moreover, to have a deeply moving experience - these are songs that can reach deep into your soul, light and shodows, shadows and light.

-- Arthur Durkee