We were lucky to catch up with Jess Novak recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jess, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
I always wanted to be a musician, but didn’t believe I was good enough. As a result, I went to college for music industry and graduate school for music journalism. I thought, if I wasn’t good enough to perform, I could at least be involved with music in another way. I became a music editor, journalist and radio deejay and though I loved those jobs, my real desire still drove me. I wanted to perform. So, one day, I quit all of my jobs (three at the time) and took off across the country. I still don’t really know why. But, I literally hopped on a train without a plan and went all the way to Seattle and back. On that trip, I realized that people everywhere were doing what they loved, and though they had to work really hard, they were happy. It wasn’t until I took that risk, leaving all of my security behind, that I discovered I could have the life I wanted and imagined – it would just take a ton of work and a willingness to be brave.
I took that trip in 2012. Since then, I’ve released eleven original albums, played more than 1,000 shows, crossed the country performing my songs, met my husband through music (now, we perform together) and released a book. And it was all because I took a risk.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some background and context?
I started playing classical violin when I was seven years old. I wanted to begin on piano, but we didn’t know a piano teacher locally, so I was stuck with violin. While I came to love it, I knew early on that I wanted to play music like my bass-playing older brother. When I was probably nine years old, I told my mom that I was fine with violin, but I wanted to play it like Jimi Hendrix. It took more than a decade for me to figure out how to do that and make a living that way, but I have. Today, I perform more than 250 shows every year (though that will change as I’m also now nine months pregnant!), have toured the United States, released eleven original albums in ten years, perform solo, duo and with The Jess novak Band, and I’ve written two books. I also teach lessons and established the F.I.R.E. Festival (females inspire, rock, empower), which spotlights female musicians, business owners and artists.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I was too afraid to pursue music when I was young. I was terrified of not being good enough and so, I never took the chance. It stalled me. I didn’t realize that amazing people aren’t necessarily born that way, but rather, they’re created through hard work and passion. They chase a dream relentlessly. They don’t settle. They don’t accept failure. It has become my mission to help others realize that they CAN do whatever they dream if they’re willing to work hard enough and simply take the first step. That’s often the hardest one.
I also strive to show people that art is essential to life. While it’s often downplayed as a hobby when we’re young, I believe art is impossibly important. It’s one of the only times we can be real, with ourselves and with each other. And while so many people, like me, get caught up in wondering if we’re “good enough”, we’re missing the point. Art isn’t about that. It’s about sharing your heart and soul with the world. It’s about opening up and allowing other people to connect with you and what you create. Art, to me, is about connection. I want people to know and believe that so they can be brave enough to take a step on their own creative journey.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
There are a few common misconceptions people have. Many believe if you’re “talented” that means you don’t have to work hard. They think people can or can’t (sing, dance, write, etc.), but it’s not that black and white at all. If you have talent, that’s just the very first piece of a complicated puzzle that CAN lead to success, but often doesn’t. Sometimes the most talented people don’t make it because it actually takes so many other steps they’re not willing or incapable to take. For example, you can be a naturally good singer, but if you don’t practice, join bands, build up your reputation, treat your career like a business, etc. – it doesn’t matter. Simply being talented is never enough and often the smallest part of what makes someone a successful creative person. I tell people – you can’t be the best if you don’t show up. Talent doesn’t matter if you don’t do all the other work.
The other belief I come across all the time is the idea that creatives must be lazy because when they “go to work” it’s often to play a show or sit around writing or painting. People don’t see this as a traditional job because they think of “work” as clocking in, sitting at a computer, doing tasks for a boss, etc. However, just because many creatives don’t clock in from 9 to 5, it doesn’t mean – at all – that we’re not working hard. It’s just in a different, and often much more intense way. We don’t stop. Our job never ends. When we’re playing the show you’re drunk and having a blast at – we rehearsed for years to be able to do it. Then we booked it, promoted it, set up for it and will tear down after. There’s so much more “work” involved than people realize AND we don’t get many of the benefits that come with traditional careers. We don’t get paid time off. We don’t get sick days. I’m about to have a baby and there’s no maternity leave. If I don’t create, I don’t make money. In many ways, I find it much more difficult than having a job, but also much more rewarding. People often don’t consider the entire situation.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jessrocknovak.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessrock87
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JessRockNovak and https://www.facebook.com/JessNovakBand
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessRock87
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7avUVqzrgPlSiFEWH-SPLQ
- Other: JessNovakMusic on TikTok
Image Credits
Jim Houle, Robyn Stockdale, Martin Goettsch, Daniel Ware, Jessica Montgomery, CharStar Designs