Good music. I don't really know how else to word it without losing the simple importance of that. I've been lucky enough to have been in a whole sea of bands ranging in styles as a drummer, but my favorite type of music is good music. In some bands I've been able to flex my technicality muscles and get extremely technical, with others I sort of sit back and groove. A lot of people have this stupid fucking misunderstanding that once you become able to play challenging music that it's no longer fun to play or listen to simpler styles. Those people are idiots. To me, it's still a conversation between the musicians you're playing with. Just because I learned a specific language musically doesn't mean I want to speak it in every conversation. The caveman in me feels great after just beating the shit out of my drums for an hour, but I always have an itch to always throw in something to throw you off.
Favorite local band?
Without even thinking, Yelloh. Those guys have held my attention since the first time I saw them live a few years back. I've always said you have to have chemistry for things to work, with anything really. Those guys don't exactly have the most "positive" chemistry, but it works. They have such amazing dynamics and depth to them that national bands fuck up constantly. I remember being surprised at how little work I had to put into the mixing process recording them because of how well they each maintained volume and effects. It wasn't a typical case of just jetting through the songs and then leaving it up to me to make them sound good with all kinds of studio tricks.
How far are you willing to take music?
As far as it can while still being music I believe in. If I got my own band together and we got offered some crazy huge record deal I'd take it. Who wouldn't? But if I was offered to play in a band that was huge, like Coldplay or some band I didn't like I would decline twice. I realize most people find that stupid because it's "still music" but it defeats the entire purpose to me. Music should be an escape from working for other people, from following rules and doing things you're told to do. I guess in theory it's no different than working at a factory you hate for a nice paycheck, but I'd honestly rather bust up my knuckles for 8 hours than play butt rock. I'd love to one day be able to put that to the test. I've always admired musicians like say Trent Reznor that's able to get his hands on every single aspect of music. Touching all the knobs in the studio, over looking all the artwork, web designs, live production.. I'd love to be able to really explore the deepest depths of creating music. I truly believe that all the hardwork will pay off, but I'm not too worried about how much or when because it's so much fucking fun in the meantime.
Why don't you like more music on the radio? Are you just too cool to be like everyone else?
I have no problem liking music other people like. I fucking hate people who have to be so different that they don't even like the shoes on their feet. If the whole world had the same record collection I did and liked what I like, I'd be a happy man. There are plenty of bands I listen to and praise that are hugely known groups, but I do tend to draw most of my inspiration from music that seems to fall under the radar. It just so happens that 90% of the music on the radio and on television doesn't appeal to me.
Is it more exciting working on material yourself or with a band?
That really depends. I do spend much more time getting weird alone, but I love the communication between other musicians. A lot of the music I write on my own would never work well with others because I feel like I'd bore the shit out of them playing it. I wouldn't want to put them through that, you know? It's like inviting your girlfriend over to watch you masturbate. For me personally, playing music with even one other person sort of cuts out all the bullshit, for better or worse.
Is there anything you need to do to "get in the mood" to make music?
Not really. Lighting plays a big role I guess. At my studio for example, all the rooms have christmas lights, halloween lights or lamps all around them. I don't want it to feel like I'm trying to play music inside K-Mart. When I'm recording for example, I like to start early. Have the bands come in around 9 or 10 in the morning to make an entire day of it. Usually those first few hours are dialing in sounds, getting warmed up so by time it's dark out the lighting really accents all the creativity. Typically though playing music is a night time thing. While everyone is getting sleep for their office jobs, I'm usually balls deep in production.
What makes for the most uninspiring collaboration?
I guess that depends, too. It sucks when someone brings a friend to jam, like a girlfriend or something. That makes for an awkward time for me for some reason, unless the bands just rehearing for a show or something and we're just running through shit, otherwise leave the hang outs for the bar. It's also a huge turn off to me when someone isn't willing to try something. I have an awful time explaining things verbally, but I'm confident on taking the persons instrument to just show them. That's something I definitely had to learn early on. It sounds really cliche, but don't knock it until you try it sort of idea. Leave the egos and all the bullshit for sports.
Most rewarding project you've been a part of?
I'm really proud of every band I was in for different reasons. I don't have a level of popularity or money to reach specifically to be proud of it. I've been in punk bands that really kicked people's asses which was rewarding in a much different way than it was putting all the extra effort required into a band like say Lucy. I guess if you had to nail me down to one, it would be Lucy. That was the hardest working project I was ever involved with. We would spend 2-3 hours on a 20 second transition into a segment that would take twice as long to write for an 8 minute song, then we'd rack our brains out trying to figure out how to make a live show worth paying money to witness. There's a workaholic in me that only exists with music and I really got to flex those muscles with that project.
Favorite musicians you've played with?
Musicians that show up. That may sound like I'm being funny but you'd be surprised at how many times people are so excited to play and sometimes even have music written and never step foot into my studio. What's the point of even mentioning it to begin with? I like musicians that know their gear, too. I've played with people who have amazing rack units worth thousands of dollars and play boring fucking music.I don't give a fuck what you play out of, who you've played with before or anything else. Just show up with cool ideas and don't be a dick.
What's an instant turn off in a musician?
Probably those annoying ass talks about blending this band with that band. Why? I understand drawing inspiration from other bands and having to paint a picture to get the musician interested, but I feel like too many people try to talk about a finished band before they've even turned on their fucking amp.
What excites you about a band?
Their music. I mean I like flashy artwork or stage shows just as much as the next guy, but I want an album that I'd be ok with getting stuck in my CD player for a week, you know? It's the same with anything really. A comedian that's super obnoxious and vulgar is only entertaining for so long until you need something that's actually funny. I also like secret bands or projects. That excites me.
Favorite band right now?
Ghost. I've been obsessed with them for a few months now. Autolux is hands down my favorite band of all time, but Ghost is putting up a good fight. Ghost is more of a package deal sort of band. I don't know how into them I'd be without all the things involved. You can't really show one song to your friend driving to get food. You have to loan them the record and let them hold the artwork, look up live shows and read what they're all about. They're by no means the first theatrical band, but definitely one of the few new bands to do more than just play a simplistic looking show. My first concert was Alice Cooper when I was about 10 years old. I didn't get it at the time because I liked seeing bands like Rancid that just played music while everyone got pushed around violently. The whole concept of a "story" was lame to me. It wasn't until I got a little order that I began appreciating albums broke up into acts and songs live being part of a larger act.
Favorite instrument you own?
Fuck. That's a tough one. I think without my drums I'd probably be running around burning cities down, so I'll go with those. My drums specifically. I've had the same kit my entire life so I guess it could just be a comfort thing, but all other drums I play just don't seem to be as loud and versatile as mine. I've played in everything from super fast thrash bands to slow jazzy stuff and they have never let me down. If we're not talking drums, my DL4 pedal for sure. For anyone who has their head in their ass, that's a super bad ass delay pedal. It can do anything from simple textures to creating entirely new sounding instruments.
Most exciting project currently?
It sounds a little cocky to say, but I'm working on a batch of songs right now myself that I'm extremely happy with. The idea is a live band with me on bass and vocals, because that scares the fucking shit out of me. I can play drums in front of literally the entire world and really get sucked in without being the slightest nervous, but singing? Fuuuck. I don't want to spoil what the style is, but it's nothing like any band I've ever played in before. I have no idea who would play in it, but I'm really confident on the stuff. We'll see what happens and it will be soon.
What format do you prefer listening to music on?
This could be a long one. For the most part, I stick with CD's. I've had so many discussions on this subject and I'm usually criticized for not saying vinyl. People have this lofty, silly delusion that vinyl is of a higher quality and it just simply isn't. You may very well prefer the sound of it to a CD, which I can understand, but the sound quality of a CD is higher. Now what I truly love about records is the presentation involved. It breaks up the album into sides or acts, the artwork is bigger and you get to listen to the album all the way through as it was meant to be. I do a lot of driving so I listen to the most uninterrupted music on CD while I'm in my car. My main complaint with people listening to youtube or using torrents with typically youtube quality mp3's is because it's all out of order and just simply sounds fucking awful. If that's how you want to listen to music fine, but it still defeats the entire purpose. You don't do that with movies so why ruin an album like that? You don't walk into a theater halfway through the movie, watch the end on your phone while taking a shit at work and then watch the beginning on your laptop. Now then again, most music coming out these days caters to that single track, short attention span listener. Anyways, I think you get my point.
If you've read this far, I owe you chinese food.
-Novak