Watch Our NPR Tiny Desk Contest Video

We chose to record “Universe” this year, and we'll tell you why. The world is going through some things right now. There's a lot of uncertainty, change, fear, frustration, and heartbreak. There are also a lot of people who are standing up in the face of that, and helping their communities, building something with their neighborhoods, creating joyful spaces and experiences, and continuing to aim their attention at creating a loving and just world. This song was written when Jen and Kev were out of state, and Jen had to go to the ER (on her birthday) because she had COVID and pneumonia. While in the ER, Kev wrote this, thinking about how cold and uncaring the universe can be, but how much meaning we can make by focusing on people we love, and on things that move us, delight us, and give us more reason to keep putting one foot in front of the other. 

 

This year, we had the opportunity to record with Ty Landrum, a fantastic percussionist, sound engineer, light designer, and overall just a wonderful human being. 

The Silent Voices

October Ember

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"The Silent Voices" is an album made of improvisations on guitar, keys, drum machine, kantele, melodica, glockenspiel, vibraphone, flute, hulusi, & kitchen sink. These tracks were taken from our Twitch livestream on Read more
"The Silent Voices" is an album made of improvisations on guitar, keys, drum machine, kantele, melodica, glockenspiel, vibraphone, flute, hulusi, & kitchen sink. These tracks were taken from our Twitch livestream on 11.28.25, where we wove silent stories, conversed without talking, & connected with each other & our community. We offer it humbly, & hope with all our hearts that you enjoy listening to it.

Merch available here: https://octoberember-shop.fourthwall.com/
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  1. 1
    Tell Us a Story 20:08
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    There Was a Whisper Once 15:46
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    The Air, Crisp and Calm 21:00
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    Only Some Is Folly 10:18
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    Step Outside the Outside 5:50
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    When We Wonder at Why 6:40
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    Where We Put What We Forget 8:02
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    As Quick as a Thought 14:20
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    Tomorrow Will Be Quieter 6:20
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    The Evening Hides Your Heart 1:24
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    There Are Always Those Hidden 3:24
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    Walk with Me a Moment Longer 13:10
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At WCBE's studios

Typical schedule
(all times EST/GMT-5):

Mondays 8:30PM

Wednesdays 6:30PM

Fridays 2PM

Videos

As we have since 2017, we've entered NPR's Tiny Desk Contest. This year, we chose to submit a video for "Hold On", a song from our album we released last year. Kev wrote this song as a light in the dark for himself, as a reminder to not be consumed by a heavy heart. We can all remember that there are people who love us, and want and need us to weather the storm.

It feels like the right song in this moment of time. 

This song also became important to the OE community's dear friend Meg, who passed away after a brief but intense battle with cancer. Last August, Meg's sister flew us out to California to play music for what became known as Meg-A-Palooza, a gathering Meg's sister put together to boost Meg's spirits in anticipation of the very difficult treatments that lied ahead. Meg had said she had only two song requests for that show - Manha Manha from the Muppets and Hold On, by OE. That pretty much sums up our friend better than we ever could. We dedicate this video to her. 

 

Bandcamp

Fail

October Ember

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Within the undulating cadence of being human, we falter. We tire. We want simplicity, yet struggle for it as complex creatures. We succeed. We fail. We practice again.

We compare ourselves. We demote ourselves in our own Read more
Within the undulating cadence of being human, we falter. We tire. We want simplicity, yet struggle for it as complex creatures. We succeed. We fail. We practice again.

We compare ourselves. We demote ourselves in our own eyes, and lose pieces of who we are along the way. Hold on to the truth that you matter, and have inherent value as an entity that exists.

"Fail" was recorded in our home studio in Columbus, OH.
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  1. Fail

Dwell

October Ember

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"Dwell" is a song about how nostalgia, although filled with sweetness, can also be a negative force that keeps one tethered to the past instead of living in the now and enjoying the memories to come. It was recorded in our home studio in Columbus, OH.
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  1. Dwell

Desert

October Ember

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It can all be too much at times. The need for simplicity and a return to the wide open serenity of desert space is a bright warm glow deep inside. It reminds us of our own vastness, our own potential for emptiness. The Read more
It can all be too much at times. The need for simplicity and a return to the wide open serenity of desert space is a bright warm glow deep inside. It reminds us of our own vastness, our own potential for emptiness. The peace from a barren space can foster our internal stillness and settle even the most agitated and cringing cells in our skin. We embrace the sky and sand. We smile into the bright blue and golden void.

"Desert" was recorded in our home studio in Columbus, OH.
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Sky

October Ember

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"Sky" is a song about reveling together in each moment while they exist, as everything is ultimately transient, and the desire to find one another again as stardust. It was recorded in our home studio in Columbus, OH.
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About

October Ember

Sometimes playful, sometimes poignant, October Ember is composed of Jennifer Dutiel and Kevin Holland, a multi-instrumentalist couple with a penchant for the quirky and the beautiful. Their music is a cross-pollination of folk, alternative, jazz, prog, & art pop, amongst other things. Their songs cover the concepts of consciousness, mortality, love, mental health, wonder, curiosity, science, and failure, to name a few. 

October Ember formed & launched their first self-titled EP in 2017.  They have been a staple in their local music scene of Columbus, OH - playing venues, restaurants, bars, house concerts, & outdoor festivals.  They were featured on the Emmy-award winning television show Broad & High, and on WOSU's Music Journeys program. They've released 4 albums and multiple singles to all global streaming services, as well as several exclusive releases, including an all improvised album, several unplugged albums, and extended cuts taken from live sets on their Bandcamp page.


In the Fall of 2021, OE began a dedicated live-streaming schedule of three times per week on Twitch, where they play music for their community of over 3.1k people. They have built a worldwide following, & regularly play their own originals, covers, improvisations, soundscapes, read poetry, & discuss art, music, philosophy, & existential matters with their incredible online community.  

They recently opened Café Cashew, a picnic table in their front yard serving the hippest squirrel & bird wildlife in their local scene.

They are often joined by the madly talented & delightful Troy Kunkler on drums & vibraphone.

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