Passion. Drive. Determination.
That's what Leanne Weiss and Derek Allan bring to country music. You won't find them sitting still, nor can you try to stop them.
Long before their formation as country duo October Rose, these two were separately chasing similar dreams with the same level of ambition, but in different states.
Growing up in the suburbs of Northern New Jersey, Leanne idolized vocalists like Celine Dion and Barbra Streisand, writing songs through her teenage years and performing wherever she could in whatever genre she could. After a bout of divine inspiration, Weiss took a chance and recorded her first country EP. “I saw Carrie Underwood in concert, and couldn't sleep that night. My desire to pursue my dreams was so strong.” Weiss quickly garnered opening slots for Kenny Rogers, Dierks Bentley, and Kristian Bush of Sugarland and shows at classic venues like Nashville's The Bluebird. Despite her success, she considered throwing in the towel and putting her music career on hold. “I was feeling frustrated,” says Leanne. “I didn't know what my next move would be after three years of recording and performing.”
Three hundred and sixty five miles away in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Derek was on a musical journey that began at age elven when his mom gave him a gift that would change his life—his first guitar. “She bought my dad, my brother, and me guitars for my dad's birthday,” Derek recalls. “I started taking lessons.” He actively honed his skills as a musician, songwriter, singer—and bodybuilder. Though growing up partial to 80's hair metal bands like Warrant and Def Leppard, it was undeniable that country music was in his blood. Before long, Derek was performing his original songs and quickly establishing himself in Pittsburgh music scene. Opening slots for prominent bands like The Stickers were paving the way for him to make his mark in his home city.
Then in early 2016, a job change brought Derek to New Jersey, unaware of the story that fate had in store for both he and Leanne. After stumbling across Leanne's music video, Derek contacted her via Facebook, wanting to make some new friends in country music. The two chatted and Derek came out to one of her shows. “I wound up sitting next to her mom, who talked her daughter up,” says Derek. When Leanne took the stage with her band, Derek knew mom was right. The two met after the show and became fast friends, hanging out and writing music together. “When we started harmonizing together, it was like the world stopped,” says Leanne. “We knew we had something incredible.” Suffice it to say, she wasn't about to give up on music anytime soon, and fate was moving her into a new direction. Derek knew then his move to New Jersey was his destiny.
But could they abandon the solo careers they had built and form a brand new duo?
Their answer to that is reflected in the first song they ever wrote together. '“Heartbreak Song' is so special to us because it symbolizes the leap of faith we took in our musical relationship,” says Derek. The two had plotted out their goals and strategized their musical game plan that summer. Without hesitation, they announced their debut at a New York City show in October 2016 in front of friends and family. It was clear they had made the right decision.
Since their formation, October Rose's momentum grows stronger by the day. “Heartbreak Song,” the emotional song that started it all, is gaining critical acclaim and traction on the country music charts. And with a rigorous schedule of performing all over the country, this duo continues to win audiences over with their energetic stage performances. “We've already opened for awesome acts like Drew Baldridge, Russell Dickerson, and Jordan Davis,“ Leanne says of their performance credits. “We're excited to bring our fans new music.”
Their debut EP, “All In” will feature six songs, including the motivational title track. “'All In” is our follow-up to 'Heartbreak Song,” in that it epitomizes the strength of our partnership as a duo and our desire to go 'all in' with our dreams,” says Derek. Produced, engineered, and mixed by Chris Badami of Portrait Recording Studios, their debut EP is a labor of love and a testament to their unique style of writing and performing.
With their unmistakable chemistry and a contagious, rock-infused sound, October Rose is undoubtedly a formidable and unstoppable presence in country music. It's clear to see that the same fate that brought them together will move them toward their mutual dream.
