Jess Novak Band 

Interview conducted July 27, 2021

By Dan Locke

Jess Novak takes no prisoners. With a fiddle on fire, powerful vocals, and a fierce band behind her, this pop, rock, soul-pumped group from Syracuse, New York brings passion to every performance. Known for their energy, superb musicianship, engaging songwriting, and ability to win any crowd, this is a band on the rise. 

Jess Novak (violin, guitar, vocals, piano, percussion, looping) works with Byron Cage (Tommy Castro, Joe Louis Walker, Otis Taylor) on drums; Anthony Saturno (Atkins Riot) on electric guitar, Jabare Mckinstry (Chris Ames Band) on bass and Gavin George (Strange to Look At, BSG) on drums to create a powerhouse sound, often with Nick Fields on trumpet.

What is your upbringing?

I grew up the youngest of four in northern New Jersey. My parents were both in education, so I learned from an early age the importance of an intense work ethic and family. 


How did you discover music?

I started violin lessons when I was seven years old, but I really loved the music my brother was listening to. He was 10 years older than me and learning bass guitar, so he was into Jaco Pastorius, Cream, Kool & the Gang, Jimi Hendrix, etc. THAT music moved me even as a kid. I also idolized him, so I made that association early on that person I loved and admired listened to THAT kind of music. 

You play the violin, guitar, piano, and percussion. Which one did you pick up first?

Violin. I wanted to learn piano, but we didn’t know a piano teacher locally. My violin teacher lived minutes away in my lake community, so that was a natural start. 


How did you start to write music?

 I started writing poetry when I was a kid and it morphed into songs before I could play any instruments to accompany myself. In my first open mic I sang an original song acapella. I was brave. 

How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?

I was told to go to a local music store (The Music Den) and ask for help, so I did. I saved up enough money from my summer lifeguarding job and bought a Seagull acoustic guitar for $300. It’s hanging on the wall right next to me and I still play it almost every day. 

What is your guitar of choice now?  

Year, make and model? And what is her name? – I LOVE my new Gretsch Rancher Falcon. It’s bright white and gold and HUGE, so I call her Boss Hogg. My brother was a big Dukes of Hazzard fan, and I became one too, so that seemed appropriate. It’s brand new. I just got her a few months ago! But my other favorite guitar is my 1992 Yairi Alvarez. That one almost has a hole in it from all the gigs it’s been on. Her name is Alvarez and I bought her for $500 after I played every single other guitar on the wall at a guitar store in Syracuse. Eventually the owner brought her out from the back and reluctantly sold her to me because he said it was what I was looking for. He was right. He wanted to keep it for himself, so I was lucky he let me buy it. 

Describe your music.

pop, rock and soul with meaningful lyrics.  

What was your first performance at like?

My first paid gig was with two other musicians – one on guitar, one on keys. I worked SO hard to prepare for that gig and was SO nervous. It was at a place I bartended at in downtown Syracuse and tons of friends came out to see me give it a try. I had NO idea what I was doing, but it went well. The two other musicians were much more seasoned than I was, but they both complimented me and I was shocked and amazed. I rolled up with my mic, mic stand, acoustic violin, tiny amp, a hand drums and an obsessive set list because I had tried so hard to prepare. I was lucky to have such great mentors around me because looking back, I was so green. It was their encouragement that kept me going. 

Do you remember hearing yourself on the radio for the first time?

I had been on the radio in various capacities before because I had worked at Z100 in New York City while I was in college. I also did college radio at James Madison University and was a DJ on a local station in Syracuse, so it was bizarre to hear my music, not just my speaking voice, on the radio, but also somewhat familiar. Radio was something I had become comfortable with.

Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?

Yes, ASCAP and I take full advantage of their benefits. I’m grateful that there are organizations that exist to help musicians succeed. 

What makes a good songwriter?

Someone who can convey emotion clearly, but still leave the words open to interpretation. I think Bob Dylan, Robert Hunter, and Jason Isbell are geniuses when it comes to this. Their songs can be taken literally or metaphorically. You can relate directly, but you can also hear a line that speaks to you in a truly unique way. That is truly remarkable. Songwriting is also about the music, so to blend the two – lyrics and music – in a way that fully conveys the story is, to me, otherworldly. 

What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?

I honestly don’t remember. I remember one line from it, “kissing in the hallway, careful not to make a sound…” I was definitely a teenager when I wrote that! The first song that I recorded at a studio was called “Thursday”. That’s on my album, “Bad Habit”. 

What is the process of writing your music?

I wait for it to come to me. Often a word or phrase speaks to me and I know a song will be born from it. But just like pregnancy, it has to grow inside of me for a while. Once the song is ready, I try not to get in the way. I honestly believe art does not come from the human being who writes it or paints it, etc. Something else is being channeled from somewhere else, so it’s all about allowing it to happen. Songwriting, for me, is about getting out of the way of the song rather than crafting it. I often rely on my band to help craft it later on, but usually, when I work too hard on something at the start, I squash the idea before it’s been released. I think it’s important to let the art just happen. When you do it that way, it all comes together as it should.  

You have shared the stage with people like Devon Allman, Tas Cru, Jimmy Hall, and Ghost Town Blues band. Has anyone given you any words of wisdom?

They’ve all given words of encouragement. When you play with people who have been in the business a long time, it’s not that they’re necessarily negative, but they are realistic. They don’t sugarcoat it. They encourage you, but they don’t paint a rosy picture. They let you know it’s going to be hard, but don’t give up. 

Tell me about your EP Standing Now?

That EP is all about getting up one more time. If I’ve learned anything from being a musician, it’s that for every success, there are 100 failures – and that’s good. Success isn’t sweet if you haven’t known something else. I love that album because it’s such a declaration, right from the title. It came up naturally because without realizing it, I referenced that idea directly through lyrics in two songs and through the underlying idea of all the tracks. In “News for You”, I sing, “You thought I’d take this lying down? Well, bitch, I’m standing now.” And in “The Joke”, I sing, “I got tired of being kicked, so I stood up.” That’s what it’s all about. Choosing to stand.


Tell me about the making of the video “Match”?

That was SO much fun. It was very spontaneous. I didn’t really tell anyone the whole idea because I wanted it to be unrehearsed and lively. I wanted people to get in front of the camera and have fun with the song without thinking about what they rehearsed or how it was supposed to look. It came out just as I had hoped – a pure capture of the feeling of the song. 

Why did you pick Dennis Fernando to make the video?

I’ve worked with Dennis on a bunch of videos now and it’s always fun and relaxed. We all walk in and have a good time. I knew he would help that vibe come through in the video.  

Your next album is A Thousand Lives which comes out this fall. Tell me about it?

This will be my 10th original album since 2013. All I can think when I look back on that time, and beyond, is that I’ve lived a thousand different lives. Just 10 years ago, I didn’t think being a musician was something I could EVER do. And now I’m here. All those lives and phases were learning experiences. All had great moments and terrible ones. And all of them brought me to right where I am – right on time. I want that to come through in this album. You’re right where you’re supposed to be and it’s ok to keep growing and changing. Live your next life. Be brave. It’s never too late. 

What is your favorite track on your album?

They all hit very emotional chords with me. Right now, I’m really loving “A Thousand Lives” and the acoustic version of “Shade”. I’m a sucker for simplicity. Often when songs are drenched in effects and production, I feel like the humanity gets sucked out. I love when a song makes me cry and both of these do every single time. “Apologies” is also having that effect. I like songs that hit me in the heart. 

You just released the video “The Joke”.  Tell me about the song?

That song is based on the movie “Joker” released in 2019. I freaking loved that movie so much. I love superheroes, but I loved even more that this movie made me root for the bad guy. They did such an amazing job of explaining why people become “bad” or do “bad things”. I put that in quotes because I was HOPING he’d attack some of those people who were so cruel. That’s wild. I also loved that it approached mental health in such a real way. People are so quick to judge and alienate and demonize people with mental health issues and it’s such a plague on society. Most of my songs are about empowerment and love, but this flipped the script and told the story of the bad guy and how they got there. I wanted that to come through in the video as well. 

How was it to work with Lights on Fayette on the video?

Amazing. That production company is just incredible. I could walk in and be directed rather than wear 100 hats and it’s apparent in the product. I was there to perform, not run the show. They did an amazing job hearing my idea, taking it further, and making it all a reality. 

How was it to work with Brett Hobin on the song?

Brett is an amazing producer. I LOVE working with him in the studio. It’s always easy, with no pressure, which is unusual. Often studios are very stressful environments because you’re on a clock trying to get things to sound perfect. But it never feels that way with Brett. It feels like it does when I write songs, that we’re just trying to let it out the way it’s supposed to come out.  

What are your feelings about streaming music?

I feel like it’s a necessary evil. On one hand, I love that people have access to so much instantly. That’s pretty amazing. As someone who used to record the “9 at 9” on the radio every night and would desperately wait to see my favorite music videos on TV, I’m pretty thrilled that I can look them up whenever I want now. However, it has taken the appreciation away from music in many ways. People are so used to getting whatever they want whenever they want it, they are forgetting about the value. I hope they appreciate what they have.  

The symbol # is known as the number sign, hash, pound sign, and a sharp sign in music. The symbol has historically been used for a wide range of purposes Since 2007, widespread usage of the symbol to introduce metadata tags on social media platforms has led to such tags being known as “hashtags”, and from that, the symbol itself is sometimes called a hashtag.

 Are people forgetting that the # is a part of music?

Ha! I think most people never knew it was/is part of music.

Digital vs. vinyl?

VINYL 

What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?

“Little Victories” by Matt Nathanson. That song has some of the most touching lyrics and I just love that guitar part. Same with “You Belong to Me”, which is an old song, but I love the Jason Wade version. Both of those are crushing me right now. Simple, beautiful and perfect. “Little Victories”, I encourage all people to listen to, but especially if you’re struggling. It’s a reminder that you can get by on the little victories. You don’t have to win everything every day. Just hang on to those small wins and you’ll be ok. 

If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?

Not at all. I feel completely the opposite. People are hungrier for and appreciative of live music than they ever have been. I think it put a spotlight on the importance of music and art in our society and people have been responding wildly. I see a huge change in my recent shows. People are THRILLED to be out living again. 

Do you think that Covid-19 has been a plus to an artist career?

Yes. I’m honestly angry with the musicians who chose to sit back and cry during the pandemic. It was such an opportunity to reach new audiences in creative and intimate ways. Virtual shows were such a huge benefit that musicians, specifically, had. If you’re a bartender, you can’t bartend without a bar and people to serve. But if you’re a musician, you had the ENTIRE WORLD at your fingertips. That’s amazing. 

You won Best Pop at the 2021 Syracuse Area Music area.  Are you a Grammy member yet so you can win that Grammy?

I need to be!!

How much artwork did you create during the quarantine?

So much. So many songs. So much painting and drawing. And I read a lot. I was so inspired, I started writing a book that I’ll hopefully complete this fall. 

How is it to party on your couch on Twitch?

FUN. I adore the people I’ve come to know through that platform and I’m so incredibly grateful for them and it.  

How do you stay healthy during the lockdown?

I learned how to work out from home, which now I love. I don’t need the gym anymore. It also helped me to slow down and appreciate my home, my boyfriend, my dog, cooking meals, watching movies together – simple things. As a musician, you’re so pressured to play everything you can all the time and it doesn’t work. You get burnt out. Lockdown helped me to slow down, recharge and rebalance my life.

Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?

Yes. I’m writing more than ever, including the book, painting and drawing again, which I’ve always loved. I also got into gardening and more into cooking. 

With more and more live music happening.  And the virus is still here.  Are you willing to play large concerts and festivals and what precautions would you like to have in place?

I had COVID and survived without much trouble, which I’m grateful for. I am also vaccinated, so I feel fairly confident in where we are now.

Is pay to play still a thing?  Now pay to play also means thinks like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.

Yes, it’s still a thing, but not something I participate in much. I think at the beginning of your career it’s more common and sometimes necessary. Now, I feel less need to do things like that.  

What about Holographic concerts in our living room?

That would be wild.  

In the past if a musician stop doing music, they find a new career.  For example, David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants. If you can’t do music, what would you like to be doing?

I want to be an author. I love books and I love writing. If not that, I do some Public Relations work and journalism, which I also like. Basically, I love to write no matter what the medium. 

What is your happy place?

Long Beach Island with my family, Key West, and a camping spot in the Adirondacks. Also – my couch with my boyfriend and dog beside me. 

Red Hot Chili Peppers are about to sell their entire song catalog for $140 Million.  In the past year a lot of musicians such as Stevie Nicks ($100 Million), Bob Dylan (over $400 Million), Taylor Swift, Journey, Def Leppard, K.T. Tunstall, and Shakira have sold their catalog rights within the last year.  Bob Dylan sold his entire catalog for a reported $300 million.   Neil Young song 50 percent of his worldwide copyright and income interest in his 1,180-song catalog to Hipnosis Songs Fund limited. Once you get to the age of about 70.  Publishing is far more lucrative than the mechanical royalties paid to artists based on sales, airplay, and streams.  A good example of this is Michael Jackson brought the rights to the Beatles catalog in 1985.  And in the late ’80s, the Beatles Revolution appeared in a Nike commercial.

The lump sums being offered by publishing firms are more tax-friendly concerning estate planning. 

Someone who was totally against selling his rights was David Crosby.  He did not want to sell his publishing rights.  And it was not an easy thing for him to do.  But by making a deal with Irving Azoff’s Iconic Artists Group, it took a big weight off of his shoulders.  He could pay off his house and cover other bills.  And now he doesn’t have to work for a living.  It should be noted that David is battling tendinitis in his hands which hurts his ability to play guitar.

Do you think you would be willing to sale your back catalog if someone like Universal is will to buy everything, such as all the rights to all your songs?

If I’m ever in the position to do something like that – I’ll be grateful just to be there! 

There are many platforms out there that allow artists to get their music heard. Artist Republik, DistroKid, Tunecore & plenty others offer distribution services. These services enable independent artists to put their music on some of the most popular streaming services globally, from Spotify to Apple Music & everything in between. If you’ve been in any part of the music industry in recent years, you probably know someone that has distributed a song.

Spotify reports that in 2021 there are about 8 million artists on the platform. Of those 8 million artists, about 57,000 are raking in a whopping 90% of the total revenue from streams. That means that .71% of the artists on Spotify are making good money. In 2020, there was a total of around $5 billion paid out to artists on the Spotify platform alone. 

Therefore, it’s reasonable to assume that, by the end of 2021, SPOT will be home to over 90 million tracks. And that in the early part of next year, it will surpass a catalog of 100 million for the first time.

What do you think what that could mean to the independent artist?

Wow. Those are overwhelming numbers. I think it means you have to be creative in how you generate income and make a living. I shake my head when people chase streams rather than work on their live show or use their Pros There are SO many ways to be lucrative in music. I think streaming is a small part of them for independent musicians. That 90% is going to people like Adele and Lady Gaga. Find how you DO make money and focus on that. 

Over half a billion active users around the world share their favorite music on TikTok either with something like a dance challenges and lip-sync videos or creating a funny skit or candid camera moment.

TikTok has become a great platform for music promotion, sharing songs, and finding new listeners.  In which it has become a place for music artists to earn revenue when people use their music.  Which in many cases the daily promotion on TikTok has led to huge boosts on other platforms like Spotify, Facebook and YouTube.

TikTok does this with the become algorithmically generates a feed of content for each user, which you see as the displaying of #. The more a user engages with content, the smarter TikTok gets at guessing what kind of videos the viewer wants to watch. 

Because a song can go viral because of this. 

Sony Music and Warner Music Group-, The ByteDance-owned video app revealed that it has struck an “expanded” global licensing agreement with Universal Music Group.  Now that TikTok is now fully licensed by all three major record companies, will you start using TikTok more?

I definitely should!

Breaking news: TikTok is launching TikTok Radio, a full-time SiriusXM music channel going live this summer. The station will be available in vehicles and as a streaming channel on the SiriusXM App, desktop, and all connected devices. 

The station will be part of a new TikTok collaboration with SiriusXM and its subsidiary, Pandora, to jointly promote emerging talent.  Do you think this platform could became a force in the future of streaming music?

Definitely. 

How good are you with the shell game (Treat Me Right video)?

I’m not sure! I haven’t played in a long time. I’m great at rock/paper/scissors.


Anything you would like to say in closing.

Thanks for all of these thoughtful questions! If anyone wants to know more about me, my band or my music, check out www.jessrocknovak.com.

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