JOSHUA NOVAK- singing, a & e guitars, piano, casio, percussion, odd things
JOHN RASMUSSEN- the electric bass guitar
KIT PELTZEL- drums, samples & sounds, precussion
NATHAN MEESE- electric guitar, keys, backing vox
Influences
whiskey,The London Suede, sparkly things, PJ Harvey, Denver, Supergrass, cities, Bowie, Ryan Adams, Interpol, Kate Bush, the years 1977 and 1985, autumn, Phil Spector & Motown, Warhol, computers, sex, cruel boys and girls, night time, pink flamingos, flashbulbs, basements, whispering and anything that goes in, along with or is affected by those things.
Sounds Like
Sex, blood and spit put to
the sounds of a boy choir
"...impassioned and moderately creepy..." -Michael Roberts, WESTWORD
"Joshua Novak...is distinguished by an ability to balance streetwise rock aggression with radio-smart hooks..." -Larry Flick, BILLBOARD MAGAZINE
"His emotionally charged rock songs don't duplicate; they create."
-Valerie Singleton, ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS
"Even better than the visuals was the music. Hypnotic, raw yet energetic rock n' roll. This band was solid, they were cool and they looked like rock stars."
-Jennifer Layton, INDIEMUSIC.COM
"...Singing of betrayal and bitterness with an overflowing beauty, the wave of vocals and guitar weaving and cascading off the stage or speakers..."
-Kim Owens, KAFFEINE BUZZ
"I've seen Novak play a dozen times as he's blossomed into a confident rocker...As Friday's set proved, Novak is again leaving spectators dumbfounded - in the good way." -John Moore, DENVER POST
"It’s understandable why Joshua Novak doesn’t want to be categorized as a singer-songwriter: he’s a lot more than that restrictive label. The, ahem, singer-songwriter-guitar-keyboard player manages to write songs that are both tender and jarring. His sweet voice silkily accompanies heart-wrenching songs that have the ability to grab guts and keep on tugging. " -UCD ADVOCATE
"Joshua Novak’s peculiar charsisma is nearly tangible in its strength."
-Cassie Schoon, WAYWARD PANTIES.COM
A perennial favorite in Denver's singer/songwriter circles, Joshua Novak's melancholy voice and profound lyrics lend him a maturity that juxtaposes his young appearance. But it's not just the vocals, the accompanying melodies add to the emotional substance of his songs.
-METROMIX
"Joshua Novak could probably be called a “singer-songwriter” in a technical sense, but so were Jeff Buckley and Nick Drake. While it would be premature to compare Novak to either, like those dead heroes, his songs don’t, for a moment, recall the awkward musical gropings heard in coffee shops or at open mike nights. A lot of people want to be their heroes, but Joshua Novak is just trying to be himself. His rhythm section was so spot on, it allowed him to launch into flights of emotional and musical exuberance. At times, with his gritty intensity, he recalled early PJ Harvey, at others he evoked Jackson Browne, if only Browne wasn't so lame and a lot more spooky. Novak’s voice sounded fantastic. More impressive, though, is the fact that he seems keenly aware that no matter how great your voice happens to be, if the music going along with it isn’t at least as commanding and interesting, the songs fall flat."
-Tom Murphy, WESTWORD
THE BIO:
Joshua 'Super-Nova' Novak was clubbed over the head in 1962 by a mob composed of such notables as David Bowie, Crazy Mick from the Stones, and a group of people who would later be known for founding the non-hippie variety of free love in deepest Manhattan. Joshua was packed in ice for 40 years and became the world's first successful time traveler. Seems Joshua was too much of a threat in both talent and ability to make all the pretty boys and girls swoon. We're lucky to have Joshua's voice fill the air in these times and once you've seen him perform, you'll agree that not only is superstardom in his future, but Bowie and Jagger really didn't have a choice. He still has the same effect on all the pretty boys and girls and maybe even more than the old days.His brand of cool has to come in small doses. As a species, humans have evolved out of a tolerance for that much cool all at once.
In 2004, he completed an exquisite five song EP entitled, THE FIVE DAY ROMANCE,
that is what WESTWORD called," moderately creepy and rock sexy." It's lo-fi DIY sound touches on topics ranging from sex addicts to car accidents, from drowning to criminal lovers.
A self taught musician and alleged bastard royalty, Mr. Novak is one of fifteen winners selected from over six hundred applicants worldwide
in the MODMUSIC RECORDS INDIE BAND SEARCH in NEW YORK
which features Grammy Award winner, Jesse Harris and others. He has shared the stage with the likes of ELF POWER, BRENDAN BENSON, EVAN DANDO, WOVENHAND, AZURE RAY, THE MOUNTAIN GOATS, THE FRUIT BATS (etc..), and played Denver's best venues including The Gothic, The Bluebird, Hi-Dive, Larimer Lounge, The Oriental Theater, The Walnut Room and even at the famous club, The Bitter End, in New York City.
He has received sensational reviews in BILLBOARD MAGAZINE, WESTWORD, THE DENVER POST and THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS as well as notable on-line sources and music mags such as KAFFEINE BUZZ, DENVER SYNTAX & INDIE-MUSIC.COM. Recently, Joshua was nominated, for the fifth year in a row, in the singer/songwriter category for the WESTWORD MUSIC SHOWCASE which included the best bands in Denver in all genres of music. Music editor Dave Herrera said that Joshua gave, "a compelling performance" (2006). Also, he was one of 60 amazing acts to play THE MONOLITH FESTIVAL at the world famous RED ROCKS Amphitheatre (2008) .
Joshua and his band prove with such ease that, sometimes, a whisper can cut deeper than a scream.
My Dear Joshua Novak, I want you to know that your music and your songs are my passion. I am addicted to Joshua Novak. There is something that pulls me towards them. Keep it up Joshua Novak. Di PS:Follow Me Twitter at http://twitter.com/iaent
i love your music. i mean, i really appreciate it. i see you live in denver, we should meet up sometime and trade some acoustic ideas. i know my solo stuff sounds pretty out there, but i get into all music, and thats just one aspect.
Hey.! Theres Thiss Party Coming Up Aug 14th.!! At 3kings tavern in denver colorado. Its Only 6Dollars From 8pm-2am Four Great Bands Will be there an its gunna be alotta Fun.! Come Join Us =]
Colorado Music Buzz Magazine and Indie 101.5 present THE VON BONDIES, with special guests REXWAY - DJ HOT TO DEATH featuring YONNAS of THE PIRATE SIGNAL and the next big deal in town, THE BEST RESPONSE! Get your tickets @ www.HARMONYDenver.com or at your local King Soopers!
Hi Joshua I need your help... REQUEST MY SONG "We could be one" on Indie104 - iRADIO LA http://www.iradiola.com/ Click on "Request a song" and type my name... Thanks for your support!