Written by Walt West | 10/24/2026
It began when they got together to play ten cover songs at a Halloween event. They had no big plans and no idea where things would go. Now, Late October are building a name for themselves, thousands of monthly listeners on Spotify and a story that's just getting started.
Sometimes, things happen when you least expect them. That's exactly how things started for Late October. This group of young musicians got together to play a Halloween trunk-or-treat event. They learned ten cover songs, played the show, and figured that would be the end of it. But the next day, people started reaching out to book them for more shows. What started as a one-time thing suddenly turned into something bigger, and they decided to keep going.
Fast forward to today, and Late October are firing it in there with around 35,000 monthly listeners on Spotify at the time of writing this Article. That's a pretty big deal for a young band that's still figuring things out and finding its place in the music world. But the numbers are only part of the story. What's even more interesting is how they found their sound, how one performance changed their direction, and how a group of kids who just wanted to play music together ended up reaching an audience they never expected.
One song changed everything...
Every band has moments that help shape who they become. For Late October, one of those moments came when they opened for a metal band called System Of A Clown. Someone suggested they try something heavier, with Henrik adding screaming vocals. They settled on “This Could Be Anywhere in the World” by Alexisonfire, and that decision ended up changing things for the band.
A video of their performance went on to get more than 1.2 million views. Think about that for a second. A band that originally came together for one Halloween show suddenly had a video reaching people all over the place. The response helped them realize that the heavier sound was something they wanted to explore. They decided to move forward as a screamo band, and just like that, they had a better idea of who they wanted to be musically.
I love stories like this because it shows that sometimes you don't have everything figured out from day one. Sometimes, you just try something different, see how people respond, and realize you've found something that works. For Late October, that one performance helped point them in a new direction. Now, they're building on that moment and turning it into something of their own.
A little bit of everything...
Late October describe their sound as modern rock, mixing pop hooks, punk energy, emo melodies, and some screamo. Basically, they're bringing together different parts of the music they love and making something that fits them. Their influences include Alexisonfire, The Used, Silverstein, Underoath, 30 Seconds to Mars, and Bilmuri. That's a pretty solid list for a young band finding its way, and it gives you a good idea of where some of their sound comes from.
Alexisonfire holds a special place in their story as well (which is awesome, cause they're one of my personal favorites!) Their song didn't just influence the band; performing it helped them realize that heavier music was where they wanted to go. Now the challenge is taking those influences and continuing to build a sound that people will recognize as Late October. With new music coming out and more people discovering them, they've got plenty of room to keep growing and trying new things.
A song about more than heartbreak...
One of the biggest steps for Late October was releasing “Exes Sting”, their debut single and first time in a recording studio. At first, the title might make you think it's just another song about an ex, but there's more to it than that. The band says the song is about the pain of losing someone or something you care about. That could be a relationship, a family member, a friend, or even a pet. It's about loss in general, something most of us can relate to in one way or another. The title also plays on the word ‘existing’, giving it another meaning.
For the band, this song was a big first step. It was their first time recording together in a studio, and they believe it helped put them on the map and start building a following. One of the things they remember most about that experience was how everyone stayed all day to support each other while they recorded their parts. I think that says a lot about a band. It's one thing to make music together, but it's another to show up for each other and be there when someone else gets their moment.
That kind of support matters, especially when you're young and learning as you go. You're figuring out how to make music, how to work together, and what it takes to turn an idea into a finished song. For Late October, “Exes Sting” was more than just their first single. It was one of the experiences that helped bring them closer as a band and gave them something to build on.
Learning as they go...
When it comes to writing music, Late October usually start with some melodies and chords before moving on to the lyrics. Sometimes they work together, and other times they come up with ideas on their own before bringing everything together. They also work with a mentor to help fine-tune their songs and get them ready for release.
It's a good way to learn while still having room to be creative. Everyone gets a chance to bring something to the table, and they have someone helping them along the way. The band isn't just trying to put songs out there as quickly as possible. They're learning how to write, record, and figure out what works for them.
Since "Exes Sting", they've continued putting out music, including “Fake Friends” and “Drive Thru My Heart”. Each release gives listeners another chance to get to know the band and see where their sound is going. They may have found their direction through a cover song, but now it's about building something with their own music and seeing how far they can take it.
How our paths crossed...
I've also had the chance to get to know Late October and their manager through their submissions to my live music review show. One of the things I love about what I do is getting to connect with artists who are out there putting in the work, building something, and chasing what they love. Getting to know this group has been a great example of that. They're young, they're making moves, and they're already reaching an audience that a lot of artists work hard to find. It's been cool to watch what they're doing and get a closer look at the people behind the music. That's really what Granular is all about for me: getting to know the artists, hearing their stories, and giving people a chance to discover the talent that's out there.
It's about more than the music...
One of my favorite parts of their interview was asking what they would change if they could go back to the beginning. Their answer? Nothing. They believe everything they've been through has helped shape them into the band they are today. And when asked where they hope to be in five years, their answer wasn't about being famous or making a certain amount of money.
They said they hope they're still friends, still having fun making music together, and still playing in front of as many people as possible.
I like that answer because it keeps things simple. Yes, the band is growing. Yes, they're getting attention and reaching more listeners. But at the end of the day, they want to keep doing what they love with the people they love doing it with. That's important because music can be a tough business, and having a good group of people around you can make all the difference.
When you're young, there's a lot to learn and plenty of things that can change along the way. The fact that they want to keep the friendships at the center of the band says something about what matters to them. Hopefully, as the music reaches more people and the opportunities keep coming, they can hold on to that same feeling that got them started in the first place.
What's next for Late October?...
Late October have already come a long way from that first Halloween show. They've built a growing catalogue of original music, had a video reach more than a million views, and grown to around 30,000 monthly Spotify listeners. For a young band, that's an exciting place to be. But they're still learning, still writing, and still figuring out just how far they can take this thing.
Their music brings together catchy melodies and heavier sounds, with influences from across rock, punk, emo, and screamo. Their songs touch on things people can connect with, like loss and relationships, while their own story shows how quickly things can change when you keep showing up and giving it a shot.
When asked why people should check them out, the band gave a pretty simple answer: if their music is your kind of thing, come have fun with them and enjoy the journey. And honestly, that's a good way to look at it. They didn't start out with some big plan to become the next big thing. They started out wanting to play a Halloween show. One opportunity led to another, a cover song helped them find their sound, and a video introduced them to a whole lot of new people.
Now they're making their own music, building their audience, and seeing where it all goes. If there's one thing their story shows, it's that you don't always have to know where you're headed when you start. Sometimes, you just have to get out there and play.