Dec 7, 2018
Singer songwriter
and multi-instrumentalist Sylvia Rose Novak grew up in Opalika
Alabama, a place I’d never heard of before our conversation. I
asked her what it was like growing up in the South, and she said it
was a little weird. I gathered from some reading that she didn’t
exactly fit in. She’s still based in Alabama, so I know she didn’t
and doesn’t find it a bad place. It’s her home.
By my own doing our conversation meanders into the personal. We talk about going from writing her first song to becoming a career musician, her decision to create a vinyl package for her latest release, bourbon, and something called squatching.
I particularly loved her reason for creating a vinyl option for the new ablum. She matter of factly told me that it was because she wanted to hear herself on vinyl. She admits that this sounds egotistical, but I totally get it. Wanting to hear oneself on vinyl and making it happen falls in the category of scratching ones own itch. I love that!
Where going pro is concerned, Sylvia Rose credits her support system. This is clearly a group of friends and family that includes her music community. She says that so many people have expressed their belief in her. The true importance of that realization is that she listens. She accepts the belief and confidence of those around her–all with gratitude. All of this didn’t happen by chance. She played fiddle for what she describes as everyone’s band. She also said she worked hard. In the process Sylvia Rose clearly grew confident in herself. Once she started writing and recording her own music, she knew that she had found her calling.
Read bonus content related to this episode.
SHOW NOTES
- SylviaRoseNovak.com
- Abe Partridge
- Dripping Springs Songwriter Fest
- The Bitter Southerner
- Shonna Tucker
- Drive By Truckers
- Direct to Vinyl Sessions
- Shannon Curtis
- Tom Meny
- Standard Deluxe
- Wildflowers video
Disclosure (pardon the interruption): Products and books listed below may contain affiliate links. If you purchase using these links, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!
RELATED EPISODES
- Beauty in Music and Art – Abe Partridge
- Reverb and Whiskey (or Iced Tea)–Singer Songwriter Joe George
- House Concert Tours & Community – Shannon Curtis
- House Concert Ambassador Tom Meny
RESOURCES FOR MUSICIANS
- The Unstarving Musician’s Guide to Getting Paid Gigs, by Robonzo
- Growth Farming the Seth Godin Way, a FREE ebook by D Grant Smith