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Blue October’s Matt Noveskey on Foiled at 20, the Healing Power of Storytelling, and a Band Stronger Than Ever
With Storytelling finally set to reach fans on November 6, 2026, and Foiled celebrating its 20th anniversary, Blue October is revisiting some defining moments in the band’s history. In our conversation with bassist Matt Noveskey, we explore the emotional weight of the long-awaited Storytelling release, the unexpected catharsis he found in its intimate 2021 performance, and how the band has emerged from life’s challenges stronger than ever. Matt also reflects on two decades of Foiled, the songs that continue to take on new meaning, and what lies ahead for Blue October. Plus, we get to the bottom of a little musical mystery involving Let It Go that proves even after all these years, there’s still room for a surprise.
Ethereal Metal: Hey Matt, this is Ryan with Ethereal Metal! Thanks so much for carving out some time in the middle of the tour to answer a few questions. I know life on the road gets hectic, so I really appreciate it!
I’m especially excited to talk about Storytelling. I had the opportunity to watch an advance of the performance, and honestly, it was stunning. There’s something really special about getting to experience these songs in such an intimate setting, especially with the conversations surrounding them.
And with Foiled celebrating its 20th anniversary, the timing couldn’t be better to look back at some pretty significant chapters in Blue October’s history.
But before we get into all that, I have to ask you something a little less serious. I have to address a developing musical scandal. I heard you recently discovered you’d been counting part of Let It Go wrong for YEARS while getting ready for the Foiled anniversary tour.
So now that you know the truth, are you going to play it correctly every night, or are you going to keep playing it the old way just to mess with the other guys? And more importantly, if you’ve been getting away with that for years, how many other musical crimes are still waiting to be uncovered?
I promise the rest of this interview is less of an interrogation. Probably 😉
Matt Noveskey: Thanks Ryan! Totally my pleasure to do this.
Yes I have in fact been counting Let It Go incorrectly for many years, but in my defense, we were never using a click before so I was just hearing it the way my brain wanted to apparently, lol. I could never figure out why something so simple was so difficult until we started using a click and then it was one of those things where it was so incredibly obvious that it kind of blew my mind that that many years passed without me realizing what I was doing wrong. The good news is I’m nailing it now…so I’ve got that going for me!
Storytelling – Out November 6, 2026
Ethereal Metal: Storytelling was recorded back in 2021, and now, five years later, fans are finally going to be able to experience the full performance on DVD and vinyl. Having something so personal sit unseen for that long must make this release feel a little different from putting out a new record. What does it mean to you to finally share this moment with the fans, and does watching it back now feel like opening a time capsule?
Matt Noveskey: In a lot of ways it actually does feel like opening a time capsule. It seems these days everything is either AC or BC…I’m referring to after Covid and before Covid. We actually filmed Storytelling right in the middle of the Covid pandemic, so things were already super wacky and upside down and emotional for everyone anyway.
I had actually just had a sit down with my ex-wife that morning before I left to film our performance and it was the first time we acknowledged that we needed to get a divorce, so I was in an incredibly heavy place that day. But in a way, it was extremely cathartic to be able to sit down with my brothers and not only play through the songs, but really dive into what the songs mean on a deeper level. I honestly needed it more than I realized. I’m so glad just a few years later we are able to present the Storytellers collection to everyone in a way that will last forever. I couldn’t be more proud of that.
Ethereal Metal: One of the things that struck me about this performance is how much the stripped-down arrangement allows the songwriting to breathe. Without the full production and energy of a typical Blue October show, different details and emotions seem to come to the surface. As a musician, did performing these songs in such an intimate setting reveal anything about them that you might not have appreciated in the same way before?
Matt Noveskey: I love this question. A lot of those little nuances and details are things you don’t even realize until you’re actually in the moment performing the songs in a raw, stripped down fashion. I feel like it’s kind of an intangible thing because a ton of emotion can be found within these little margins. I remember very clearly feeling those songs in a different way performing them the way we did and I think it really bled through into the entire performance.
A lot of times when you’re at full volume in a huge concert atmosphere some things can get covered up or seem a little cloudy because there’s so much going on. Getting to perform these songs in a raw and unfiltered way is a completely different approach and it almost makes every note matter just that much more. I think we could all feel that happening in real time and that is a beautiful thing. Every performance is unique and some of them stick with you forever. That is certainly one I will never forget.
Ethereal Metal: Matt Pinfield brings a really personal dimension to the performance by sitting down with Justin and talking through the stories behind the songs. Those conversations feel just as important as the music itself. How did having Matt there as a host influence the atmosphere of the evening, and did his questions bring out anything in Justin that surprised you?
Matt Noveskey: I honestly wouldn’t say that anything surprised me, because one thing for certain about Justin is that he is brutally honest, and always has been. I think that’s one of the things that has really always set us apart as a band. Truth be told, we aren’t overly concerned with being poetic. The message is clear as day. There’s no holding back anything as far as what is being said or how he’s saying it. So in that sense, I feel like he dove into the songs in a thoughtful and meaningful way, but that’s who he has always been since day one.
Matt Pinfield is like a walking and encyclopedia of musical knowledge. He’s so incredibly impressive — not just for everything he knows and having such a cerebral way of asking questions, but also just what an awesome human being he is. I was blown away by how genuine and sincere and sweet that guy was. I grew up watching him, so I was already a huge fan. Getting to know him as a person just brought it to another level. I’ve always admired him and I feel extremely fortunate to have gotten to spend time in a room with him really diving into our songs, our message and hearing how it affected him as well. That is the ultimate compliment — to have someone you respect as much as Matt Pinfield actually get excited about talking about your art with you.
Ethereal Metal: The conversation surrounding Get Back Up particularly stood out to me. Given how much Justin has shared publicly about his recovery, it feels powerful to revisit that chapter through both the music and the perspective of time. From your perspective as his bandmate, how has the band’s dynamic evolved as you’ve moved through different chapters of life together, particularly as Justin’s sobriety brought changes to his life and outlook? Has that evolution changed the way you approach the music you created during some of the more difficult years?
Matt Noveskey: Justin getting sober was an absolute turning point for us as a band. Justin, Jeremy, Ryan and myself have always been like family and sometimes, families experience traumatic stuff. But going through all of it — from the intervention and him going off to get clean and get real help to his coming back and experiencing a complete rebirth as a creative force — is the reason we are still here today, healthier and happier than ever, continuing to do the one thing we have always wanted to do. We were at a real turning point as a band back then and it was gonna go one of two directions. I’m just so grateful it all went the way it did because we are tighter than ever today. We may not be the biggest band in the world, but one thing I know in my heart is that we are the strongest. I don’t think anybody out there can compete with us as far as our bond goes.
We do often get asked about what it’s like playing some of the older/heavier songs and if that has a particular meaning or feeling by revisiting some of those dark times. The truth is those songs are pillars for us. Playing some of those songs can definitely take you back to a certain headspace, but when you have such a strong perspective it’s almost like a constant reminder to never take anything for granted. Those songs are all important and necessary, so we welcome every chapter with open arms.
Ethereal Metal: One of the beautiful things about Blue October’s music is that songs written from deeply personal experiences can eventually take on a life of their own through the people who hear them. When you perform songs like these acoustically, you’re giving listeners space to connect with the lyrics in their own way. Have you ever heard a fan’s interpretation of a song that made you look at it differently yourself?
Matt Noveskey: I have definitely heard many different interpretations of our songs over the years. That’s something I truly enjoy. I love getting other people’s perspective, especially songs that I had a hand in writing the lyrics – those songs are deeply personal to me. The Weatherman is an example of this and I’ve heard a lot of people tell me their own personal stories about separation, divorce and, sometimes, redemption. My attitude is if you’re going to write a song about something personal to you and put it out into the world, you should always have an open mind and an open heart when someone tells you what it means to them. But the song that I feel I have consistently heard different interpretations of the most happens to be our biggest song Hate Me. I’ve heard so many people over the years talk about why they connected with that song and it usually revolves around their own experience of recognizing the need to take a long hard look in the mirror – whether it be with a family member, a loved one or in a romantic relationship.
Foiled – 20 Years Later
Ethereal Metal: It’s wild to think that Foiled is turning 20. For so many fans, this album was their introduction to Blue October, while for others, it became a soundtrack to some very personal chapters of their lives. When you look back at the album today, what stands out most to you about the person and musician you were when you made it, compared with who you are now?
Matt Noveskey: Foiled was the album that introduced us to a much much wider audience and has carried through to today. In some ways it’s hard to believe that it’s been 20 years — but in other ways I think back and reflect on all of the different experiences that we’ve had during that time and I feel like I could write a whole series of books. When I revisit the album today and play the songs on tour, I’m reminded of what a huge impact it had on me not just as a bandmate and as a performer but also as a musician. I think before that album I was more concerned with what I was doing and what I was playing instead of serving the song and listening to the entire message. That was the first album I let go of some of those hang ups and needing validation as a bass player and really embraced serving the song in every way. It kind of reshaped my way of approaching writing and recording my parts and I’m very grateful for that.
Ethereal Metal: The album is being performed front to back on this anniversary tour, giving fans the chance to hear songs in the original sequence rather than just the familiar singles. What has it been like revisiting the entire record as a band, and have any songs taken on a completely different meaning for you after all these years?
Matt Noveskey: The thing I was most concerned about at the beginning of this tour was not playing every song off the record but actually playing them in order and seeing how that would translate. Fortunately it’s been amazing. But I think that that’s a testament to putting a ton of thought behind the song order and sequencing on the record back when it was released. All of those details really matter to Justin and I commend him for that because it’s making my life a lot easier today on tour because it flows so well and feels really natural. Some of the songs have seemed to take on a new meaning and even a new sonic approach as we have all grown and evolved as musicians. Having Will Knaak in the band is a huge boost for us sonically and creatively as well because he’s a total bad ass. He plays the guitar with such sincerity but has his own style and I think it’s really given some of these songs a new life. Ryan is a master of all instruments and has really embraced not just being the violinist of Blue October but also being the pianist, mandolin player and background vocalist so that feels stronger than ever as well. All these years of locking in as a rhythm section has really allowed Jeremy and I to grow a ton as well and so I feel like we are attacking these songs with more attitude and punch than ever before.
Ethereal Metal: As we joked about earlier, I recently read about your discovery during rehearsals that you’d been counting part of Let It Go incorrectly for years. As a musician myself, this hit home! That has to be one of the more entertaining surprises to uncover while preparing for an anniversary tour! Has revisiting Foiled exposed any other musical surprises, forgotten details, or little quirks that you hadn’t thought about in two decades?
Matt Noveskey: The one thing that playing the entire album has opened my eyes to is that I used to approach my parts in a more traditional way. I wasn’t really too big into effects or using a pick back then and now my pedalboard is WAY bigger than it actually should be! Ha. A lot of the songs I played with pretty clean tones and primarily with my fingers back then so it’s fun getting back to that again, but I have to say I’ve really embraced getting weirder and getting super creative with tones over the more recent years. I really enjoy embracing playing with a ton of dirt and growl and embracing that side of myself more since we did on the earlier albums. These days I feel like my playing pays homage to players like Peter Hook and Sergio Vega just as much as players like Sting or Flea.
Ethereal Metal: When an album becomes as meaningful to people as Foiled has, there’s a certain expectation that comes with performing it. At the same time, you’re not the same people you were 20 years ago. How do you balance honoring the original recordings and the memories fans attach to them with bringing your current experiences and musical instincts to these songs?
Matt Noveskey: I actually think it’s extremely easy for us to balance all of these things today because we are actually healthier individuals than we were back then. Partying and succumbing to some of the things one thinks of when you think of being young and on tour can really take a toll on you physically and emotionally. But today we are all very serious about taking care of ourselves and taking care of our minds and bodies. I practice all the time and I make an effort to run at least five days a week while on tour which I never did back then. All of these things matter because you can’t be cloudy and tired and exhausted when people are taking time out of their day and paying good money to come see you perform an album that meant so much to them 20 years ago. You really have to honor it and be the best version of yourself you can possibly be.
Ethereal Metal: A 20th anniversary tour also creates an opportunity to reconnect with songs that may not have been regular fixtures in the set for years. Is there a particular track on Foiled that you’re especially excited to play every night, whether because of the way it sounds live, a memory attached to recording it, or the reaction you know it gets from the audience?
Matt Noveskey: There are two songs in particular that really stand out to me getting to perform them every night on this tour. The first one is actually the opener of the whole set which is You Make Me Smile. That was one of the first songs I co-wrote with the band, so it has a very special place in my heart. I have so many good memories of us performing that song back in the day but it has been several years since we have played it live so it feels great to bring it back into the set again. The other song I’m really enjoying is Everlasting Friend. When the album came out it wasn’t necessarily a song that really stood out to me at the time, but now being a little older and wiser I have such an appreciation for the tones and the smooth jazziness of it. I really love the vocal melody and the harmonies as well. I think it’s a gem and it’s one of my favorite parts of the set.
Ethereal Metal: Blue October has spent decades building a connection with its audience through music that is often incredibly vulnerable and personal. Looking at the response to Foiled 20 years later, what has surprised you most about the way these songs have endured? Are there things fans tell you about the album now that you couldn’t have imagined hearing when it first came out?
Matt Noveskey: The biggest thing that blows me away today when getting feedback from people in the crowd or doing Q&A sessions during our soundcheck is just how many people out there have stuck with us through all of the years and that this was the album that drew them in and exposed them to our music. I think it’s easy to kind of live in the moment and forget about all of the benchmarks and all of the things that really wound up being pinnacles of your career. There aren’t really words that can properly express just how important Foiled was and continues to be as an album for us as a band. One thing I say a lot to people is that we don’t really have a demographic and I think that’s pretty rare. All generations come out to our shows and so on this tour we hear from people our age that say they grew up with us and now they bring their kids and those kids are talking about how they were raised on our albums. It’s really special and somewhat surreal. Those aren’t the things you ever consider when you’re in the moment of making an album.
Ethereal Metal: Lastly, with Storytelling finally set for release and Foiled celebrating its 20th anniversary, you’re revisiting some important moments in Blue October’s history while continuing to look ahead. As you think about this next chapter, what are you most excited to explore creatively? And after all these years, what still gives you that same feeling you had when you first picked up an instrument and realized that making music was what you wanted to do?
Matt Noveskey: I’m really enjoying taking this time to just focus on Foiled and soak in this entire tour. Every day is important and I don’t want to let a single go by without creating some kind of memory. That said, I truly feel like our next album is going to be very special. We are taking way more time dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s with this record and I think when it finally comes out that will be very evident. We’ve moved at such a fast pace over the last few years that this is the first time we have really slowed down and taken an extended time to sit with the new songs and the new parts and make sure the album is incredible from start to finish. I think when we are ready to come back out with new material people will be absolutely blown away.
Ethereal Metal: Matt, thanks again for taking the time to answer my questions! I really appreciate you taking the time and hope to catch you guys in Albany!
Matt Noveskey: Thank you so much this was a really fun interview and an awesome trip down memory lane. Looking forward to seeing you!
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