By: Karen Steinberg
Q) How would you describe your sound?
A) I honestly don’t know how I’d describe it – I’m in love with so many styles of rock it bleeds into my music. Anytime I ask someone what genre they think I make, I get different answers
Q) Who are some of your musical influences?
A) Easily Whirr, Plastic Tree and Deftones
Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “boys lie, girls steal.”
A) “boys lie, girls steal” is an alternate ending to my album VOL.3, and I say alternate because there are two types of mindsets you can have after experiencing the album, with “boys lie, girls steal” going into one of them. “boys lie, girls steal” is pretty self-explanatory, but the song gives deeper context. It’s not a sad song, it’s actually upbeat – it’s more like dancing through the pain/reality that boys lie and girls steal, another way of saying we all suck.
Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?
A) My Novas connect to the lyrics always – it’s the best part about my music. For “boys lie, girls steal,” the lyrics add substance that draws you back in and is relatable – it becomes your theme song.
Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?
A) The music video for “boys lie, girls steal” shows boys and girls partying together during/after the party setting. It’s recorded more amateurly to simulate someone recording the “highlights” of the party. Despite our bad experiences with relationships, we can all come together and agree that people are terrible, but we don’t have to be sad about it, we can have fun regardless.
Q) “boys lie, girls steal” is the fifth song off your upcoming album VOL.3 (the other songs being “rip,” “new low,” “evil eye,” and “sacrifice”). What are some themes you’ll be exploring on it?
A) Instead of a traditional theme, VOL.3 is basically a coming-of-age movie in music form. I try and make all of my albums like that and they’re each set at different stages of my life – going through my lived experiences, mindset changes and taking inspiration from other people’s lives too. Of course, a lot of songs are exaggerated to get the point across, but that’s the beauty of art. VOL.3, like the rest of my albums, is supposed to make you feel seen and heard – that there’s a song on there that somehow hits so close to home and becomes your theme song.
Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?
A) I just sing what comes to my mind – I don’t prewrite my lyrics. My music is very emotional so unless I’m feeling really strong emotions, I don’t make music – there’s nothing worse than forcing a feeling.
Q) You’ve been out on the BEFORE VOL 3 Tour and appeared at Furnace Fest. What songs have fans been most reactive to at the live shows?
A) Definitely would have to be “scars.” It’s no surprise either, I’ve had crazy moments when performing that song – people stage diving, moshing, everything. I love playing it every time because I hate a boring show where people stand still. I feed off the crowd – I go crazy, you go crazy, I’ll get crazier and you get crazy, and we just feed off each other and make the most impactful night of our lives.
Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new album as a whole – either as an emotion or message?
A) The takeaway I want people to get from Vol. 3 is that I’m here to stay – that I’m so much more than whatever you might think I am. I’ve been working on this album for a year and a half, and it’s my magnum opus. This is the album that defines me as an artist.
Q) You created NOVMAS FEST. Where did the idea come from and what can fans expect from attending this show?
A) Honestly, I got really inspired by Yungblud and how he does his own festivals, events, popup shops and things like that. It was so inspiring to see him giving back to the community he cares about. After seeing him do that, I decided that I had to do the same to celebrate other underground acts. As I continue to grow, I want NOVMAS to be like nationwide a safe space for my fans and just people who love alternative rock music like I do.
Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?
A) It sounds odd, but I don’t have any dream collabs. I’m not against collabs, of course, but I don’t have a dream, if I had to pick anyone it would be whirr or plastic tree
Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?
A) This Japanese band called downy – they’re incredible. I discovered them late last year and haven’t stopped listening since day one. I want to meet them, even with the language barrier we have.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
A) That you are stronger than you believe. Every single lyric I sing comes from the heart, hoping it resonates with you for whatever reason – it doesn’t matter to me as long as you feel that connection, that’s all that matters. I love you so much I can’t wait for you to hear VOL.3 in its entirety.