THEAUSSIEWORD.COM catches up with Adam Noviello.
How and where did it all begin for you? What drew your interest to the music industry?
This all depends how far back you want to go! It all began with me discovering my mother’s Tina Turner greatest hits album at a very young age. I heard Tina’s voice and was completely mesmerised by the power a single person can have with their voice and their music. I’ve been hooked ever since! Singing has been a part of me for as long as I can recall being able to speak and walk. My desire to make my own music came from my desire to sing. From that little creative flamboyant person to the human I am today, I have had this deep passion and need to express myself through art, and music has always been my greatest pathway to do so. Here we are!
What motivates or influences you in your quest to make great music?
All I want is to spread love, joy and authenticity. I truly believe the more we have permission to be our authentic selves and thrive in that space, the more happiness will live in the world. Every song I write, every note I sing, comes from me wanting to instil in others that you can be who you are and love who you are every damn day. Whether that is with me baring my soul and telling my intimate stories, or putting out dance floor bops, my quest is to encourage people to find self love whatever way I can.
What are some of your biggest goals you hope to accomplish?
I think every creative child dreams of the day they can do their big acceptance speech, right?! I want to win my Grammy! I want my Oscar!! But perhaps we start small and look to the ARIAs or the Green Room Awards…
But in all seriousness, all I want to is reach more people. Play bigger shows all around the world so I can connect with more people and share my art. Tours, a few albums, a creative life I can look back on and be proud of. So, you know, not much!
What can we expect from you in the coming months? Any plans to tour?
There is more music on the way! I am very fortunate to be working as a professional actor also, so I have some exciting projects lined up in that arena. But in terms of my music, we’re looking at some new releases, and of course more shows. Stay tuned!
Tell us a bit about your latest release and how would you best describe your music?
My latest release is my debut EP titled ‘Tears, Drugs & Voicemails’. It’s a 6 song collection chronicling stories of sex, gender, love and loss, and I am so very proud of it. When describing my music, I like to say it is melancholic alt-pop. Think Troye Sivan meets Lana Del Rey meets FINNEAS meet James Blake. Songs you can drink red wine to and feel your feels, and songs you can turn way up and vibe too.
Give us an insight into your creative process. What gets you writing songs?
Honestly, I don’t really have a specific process. I just allow ideas and inspiration to come and I do my utmost to not block or judge it when it comes. Sometimes it’s a random melody that I will immediately voice memo and work from there. Sometimes it’s being at the piano and finding chord progressions I like. Sometimes it’s as simple as hearing a potential title for a song and liking the idea of writing about a certain thing. My song ‘Heretic’ was that. I heard that word and its relation to the witch trials and thought, hmmmm, what if we used that word and applied it to gender?! Next thing you know I’ve got an iTunes #1 hit!
Is there a hidden meaning in any of your music?
I don’t think so. I think I am pretty upfront and clear with what it is I am trying to communicate. I work in poetry and metaphor, but I think thematically I mean what I say and I say what I mean. When I am telling you a story that is deeply personal, I will go all in. Music is such a beautiful therapy for me in that sense. I put it all out there, scars and all.
Success, what is the secret to it?
I think it’s a combination of talent, authenticity and hard work, with emphasis on the last two. You can be very talented, but this business is a hustle, and you have to have the stamina to WERK. I truly believe if you want to find success in anything you have to want it with every fibre of your being, and then you have to apply yourself and your passion to it in every way. Live and breathe what you love, and success will come.
What has been your biggest career highlight so far?
I think as a musician it has to be when my single, ‘Heretic’, hit #1 on the iTunes Dance Chart. A result I could only have dreamed of for my first solo release. It was a very emotional moment. I called Luke (from Global League Records) immediately in tears. We both jumped for joy and smiled ear to ear. We knew then that we were on to something great.
As a performer, I did recently play the title role in the musical TOMMY by The Who. To stand in front of a packed Palais Theatre day after day and bow as the leading player in a musical had been a life long dream. Huge pinch-me moment for sure.
Which stars of the music industry do you find inspiring?
I adore Lady Gaga for obvious reasons. Her theatricality, her artistry, what she stands for, her voice! But others sources of inspo would be Benee, Troye Sivan, Lana Del Rey, Madonna, James Blake, Cub Sport, Brendan Maclean and David Bowie.
Are there any new projects in the pipeline?
Absolutely. But if I told you I’d be ruining the surprise!! Those who attended my EP launch were lucky to get a sneak peak off an upcoming single. But I shan’t say anything beyond that. There is more music coming, that’s all you need to know…
The music industry is constantly changing, where do you see yourself a few years?
In a few years it is our plan to be playing regular gigs. I have a few singles and an EP out now, and with some further releases and continuing this beautiful momentum we have going we will see us being able to play shows to more and more people, spreading our queer love and lunacy.
As far as the ever changing industry, I am just riding the wave. Consider me strapped in to that rollercoaster with a fantastic team of people around me navigating it and thriving in it.
What is your favourite and least favourite part about this line of work and why?
A member of my chosen family always says begin a statement with the negative thought and finish with the positive. So, I’d say my least favourite part is the insecurity of it. You work FAR beyond full time hours hustling and creating your shit, and then it’s still a possibility your hard work may not pay off in to anything of note.
In saying that, my favourite part about this work is the ever changing nature of it. With every song, show, video, collaboration comes a brand new experience. As artists, we do not work in repetition or monotony, it is all about that divine experience of creation, which is constantly new, exciting and fun.
Name a few of your favourite Australian artists.
I have been obsessed with Kate Ceberano since I was a teenager. What a fierce woman! A crossover artist we can all learn from, and also just a cool person! I am also loving Brendan Maclean and Mallrat right now.
The shape of the music industry has changed significantly over the years, including the use of social media, how do you feel about the industry as a whole and what does it mean to you in getting your records out into the public eye?
I think there are pros and cons to current state of things. The online streaming platforms do allow us indie artists to get our music out there much easier than times gone by, which is great! However, what these services do is put all our music in this infinite vacuum of songs and artists, making the hard work about being noticed among 1000s of others. Which is where social media and the “hustle” I have mentioned comes in. I personally find it frustrating at times that as artists we are now expected to be expert content creators, but I understand what this allows us to do is control the narratives more and push ourselves more. Like I said, pros and cons.
How will you continue appealing to the international market?
For me it’s just about being myself. I don’t have too much interest in “competing” with other artists or anything. My music has international appeal because the stories and things I speak of have universal appeal. The queer experience, my journey and exploration through gender, the desire to dance and feel, all of which are things being sought out by music lovers far and wide. So, I shall continue to do me. Which I must say is doing the trick. My debut single has been streamed far more in the US than it has here at home in Australia.
Do you collaborate with others? Who is on your wish-list?
Oh, absolutely! Creating music is ALL about collaboration for me. My EP was produced by Moonboy, and 4/6 of the songs were co-writes. Whenever I feel a song or an idea is in its prime, I know it means it’s time for another artist to cast their eyes and ears over it. I love it! More is more a lot of the time. I would absolutely love to work with FINNEAS. One of the great producers of our time I feel. But I’d also love to make dance music with Stuart Price, who wouldn’t?!
What advice do you give for other artists wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Spend plenty of time experimenting and exploring who you are. Not only as an artist, but as a human! The more in touch with you are with all facets of your being, the more you will find music that moves you and inspires you. I spent years writing. There are dozens of terrible songs I have for everyone 1 that I like and am willing to release. This has made me the writer I am. Figure out what works for you by writing dreadful songs and making mistakes. But at the end of the day, trust your instincts, they’re the essence of who you are. You won’t regret it.
A message for your fans. How do you best interact and respond with your followers and fans?
Thank you for all the love and support so far. My journey is young, but I am so happy to have so many folks championing me already. Y’all are welcome to hit me up on Instagram. It’s always a treat hearing from folks and talking about music and life. Stay tuned, there’s plenty more in store. Much love. Xo.
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