With their 20th year in motion, Octoberman returns with “We Used To Talk of Death,” a nostalgic, tape-warmed indie rock single that meditates on aging, memory, and the inevitable weight of time. Recovered from a forgotten 2014 demo, the track now arrives fully realized – leaner, rawer, and more resonant than ever.
“One day I was going through old hard drives and stumbled upon the original demo,” says guitarist/vocalist Marc Morrissette. “It was meant for [2014 album] What More What More back in the day, but I wasn’t into the outro. I cut that section out, brought it to the band, and suddenly it clicked.”
Lyrically unchanged from over a decade ago, the song hits differently now. “Whether it’s losing a loved one or becoming a parent, life events shift how we think about death,” says Morrissette. “This song used to feel hypothetical. It doesn’t anymore.”
“We Used To Talk of Death” was the final song recorded during three days at Ottawa’s Little Bullhorn Studio with longtime collaborator Jarrett Bartlett (Howe Gelb, The Acorn, Jim Bryson), tracking straight to two-inch tape with no click tracks or computer screens in sight. “It was so refreshing,” says Morrissette. “Especially after spending so much time glued to screens in general.”
Two decades deep, Octoberman is still driven by the same core instincts: honest songwriting, evocative storytelling, and a live-band dynamic captured in full bloom. The current lineup – Marc Morrissette (vocals, guitar), Marshall Bureau (drums), Tavo Diez de Bonilla (bass, background vocals), J.J. Ipsen (acoustic guitar), and Annelise Noronha (background vocals) – laid the foundation live off the floor to tape, with additional parts added from various home studios across Ontario.
Described as “Stephen Malkmus at his loosest” by Pitchfork and “like a sunnier Elliott Smith or Sparklehorse” by Uncut Magazine, Octoberman has quietly amassed a dedicated following with their poignant, unvarnished sound. Their songs have appeared on major TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy and they’ve toured internationally, sharing stages with Owen Pallett, Chad VanGaalen, Mount Eerie, Julie Doiron, and more.
“We Used To Talk of Death” captures the project at a moment of reflection – looking back, yes, but very much still moving forward.
