MEET RYAN DELAHOUSSAYE: THE UNDISPUTED CAPATIN OF THE SHIP CALLED BLUE OCTOBER
I RECOGNIZED THE FIGURE WALKING FROM 200 YARDS AWAY.
“Hey Ryan!” I yelled as I passed the Blue October bus behind the Pittsburgh venue. Striding towards the venue door, Ryan Delahoussaye, classically trained violinist, multi-instrumentalist musician, and co-founding member of Blue October …waved back.
I kept heading toward the entrance line. Not wanting to “disturb” him as he obviously was on a pre-show mission.
“Hey!” he shouted back. My wife and I stopped.
Ryan had paused.
“Are you ready to rock tonight?” He called out.
“Hell yes!” we replied.
Then I said, “We saw you in Boise, Cleveland, and Buffalo, and after tonight, Syracuse and Toronto, and we can’t wait!”
“Thank you!” he replied.
He genuinely meant it.
He gave a warm smile and bowed his head in grand gesture.
Just a moment in time. Small interaction. Maybe 2 minutes. But it speaks volumes to the dedication and humbleness Blue October have for their fans. Ryan did not have to stop after a quick wave. But that gesture, to stop and ask if we were ready for the show, then to thank us for being avid fans. Truly a Blue October moment.
It isn’t the first time Ryan has paused to spend a moment with me. As I moved through the regal foyer before a show in Pennsylvania, I noticed a familiar face heading by me. I was part of the VIP experience and just happened to be looking for snacks.
“Ryan!” I exclaimed. He immediately turned and smiled.
“Can I get a quick pic?”
“Of course,” he obliged.
Big smile and handshakes, small talk and he was off to prepare for the incredible show to follow.
Again, just a moment in time…maybe 2 minutes. But speaks Volumes.
Before I left the Pittsburgh show, I met Ryan signing merchandise. I told him I had some excellent media, as I was right in front of him the whole concert. “Post them please! And link back to me, I will definitely check them out.” He did. Within 24 hours, comments, and all. Volumes.
Born on January 14, 1976, in Houston, TX, Ryan possesses a gift. A gift of musical talent and ability he has honed to a fine craft.
Ryan met lead singer of Blue October, Justin Furstenfeld, in the mid 1990’sd while attending The High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) in Houston, Texas. Since 1971, that particular school has trained numerous artists who are “contributors today in the arts community…with a faculty of each department is made up of highly respected, professional artists.”
In those polished tiled halls of this very school, a serious young classical violinist named Ryan Delahoussaye made friends with one outgoing upstart, who, deeply into the Smith’s, the Cure, girls, could sing like no other. His heart was big, and his lyrics and musical genius were not lost on Delahoussaye. They fast became best friends, and eventually formed the Band Blue October in 1995.
Ryan is a pure master of the violin, a virtuoso of the mandolin, slayer of the piano and synthesizer, composer, and creative element of Blue.
He is a classically trained music icon. The weight bearing iron girder that supports it all. Blue October is successful due in no small part to the prominence of Ryan’s violin. With his pizzicato technique of plucking the strings of the electric violin is unequaled. They make Blue October’s sound unique. Without Ryan, as with every band member, Blue October would not be the Blue October fans love and enjoy.
I feel Blue October are getting into their ultimate stride and Ryan is at the musical helm. Justin is the lyrical master and showman. Jeremy is the percussion prince. Matt is the boss of bass. Steve & Will – guitar gods. But Ryan, he is at the helm of the ship we love, called Blue October.
He’s multifaceted. He is a gifted music teacher as much as a dedicated father, husband, and musician. Conducting private lessons when able, he occasionally – busy schedule allowing – teaches and performs at The Austin School for Performing and Visual Arts.
And after decades of touring with Blue, He collaborated with longtime friend Charlie Magnone, Re-visiting his deep roots of classical beginnings resulting in the classical album release Da Capo. First set to paper from pen, a tape followed. Da Capo, A Book of Music was born.
Be sure to check out Ryan’s personal page Tufstrings. Good looking merchandise can also be found here for Blue and Delahoussaye fans.
Ryan is Justin’s ground wire. The two have grown up together. From High School to present day, they have honed their musical craft. They have endured together. Endured all trials of life, to include marriages, births, deaths, addiction, and depression. They have enjoyed together.
Enjoyed touring, traveling, playing, the fans, the laughs, the tribulations, and everything the Blue October family represents on the road.
And when shit went south, when “normal” bands would have split under the pressure, torn at the seams, by addiction and ego, two friends endured. Blue October endured.
And today, he’s on a more even keel with Justin when it comes to the spotlight. Which Justin applauds, happy with the emphasis switch on stage. Ryan gets to shine, with his lush and live violin solo detours. “It’s something that I just started doing because I need to hold him up more,” says Furstenfeld, who has been friends with Delahoussaye since they were 14…He’s such a beautiful piece of energy.”
Ryan stuns audiences at each Blue experience. If you have any doubt of his gift, watch him play. It’s almost unnerving. A sort of religious experience. When Ryan gets into his violin stride, the world stops for a moment. When he played solo at Buffalo this November, i was gob smacked. So were everyone else. Minutes of plying his violin solo as we all watched in stunned awe.
His synthesizer tones are superfluous. He sets the tone on almost every track. His keyboard largess and ear for musical perfection, provides haunting and soulful backdrops. Backdrops to the wonderful symphony that is Blue October. During each magic moment during a show, he does it. I feel as though I have emerged from a time machine. A willing witness to history in the making.
A witness to the classical powers of an ancient virtuoso of hundreds of years past. I savor every moment. Especially during Fear, Better Man, and All That We Are. Like an ambidextrous mad musician, often with violin attached, he plays guitar, and plies the synth. Then, it’s time. Time for the Delahoussaye violin solo
He steps toward the crowd. Eyes closed, jaw cupped in chin rest, he is about to give a gift. A gift of sublime musical tones. From his strategic reserve of talent, comes those magical waves. Waves that resonate forth as his fingers deftly ply the of neck the violin.
Tones of delightful soul bathing melody emerge. You close your eyes. You are in the moment. He is in the moment. Everyone is in the moment. A Delahoussaye moment. Perfect. Beautiful. Soul cleansing. Priceless.
Make sure you get to see Blue October live, and the virtuoso play soon. Experience it while you still can. You won’t regret it, but you will regret it if you miss such magic.
See you at the next Roll Call.
Shift dismissed.
SOURCES/CITATIONS
- https://open.spotify.com/album/5fYemzqTAcgEZN4Up21CXO
- https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/blue-october-justin-furstenfeld-interview-documentary-10th-studio-album-8545090/#!
- https://www.houstonisd.org//site/Default.aspx?PageID=89443