While many artists have used their time in quarantine to get and keep creative, some writing and sharing songs with a rather sad, lonely undertone to them – perhaps rather appropriate given the circumstances we’re living in and under – Novi, real name Carolyne, went a slightly different route and last week unveiled her new EP For The Wild Ones, with tracks that brim with fun, optimism and hope.
Having had her songs featured in several hit TV series including Roswell: NM, she’s no stranger to capturing the attention of an audience, and her new release looks set to see her earn many more fans around the world. PopWrapped caught up with Novi to talk favourite songs on the EP and her advice for aspiring and independent artists.
Hi! How is 2021 treating you so far?
Ya know, so far not bad! We are in the process of buying a house up here in Oregon, which is exciting! I’m also getting ready to head out to write with one of my favorite producers, Lee Miles, at his ranch in Rainbow, California. I want to create as freely as possible this year.
Considering the global pandemic, how are and have you been spending your free time when you are not making music?
I really love to hang with my fiancé Max and our bernedoodle pup Gwen. I’m doing some online workshops and just staying active on my peloton, cooking, and organizing a lot too!
You’ve just released your next EP For the Wild Ones, your first full length project since 2011. How does it feel to finally have it out there in the world?
It feels good. The EP happened very naturally and it wasn’t something I had been slaving over for years. I just decided I no longer want to sit on songs or bodies of work because they lack perfection, so I formed this EP, which I really love and feels like a fitting start to a brand-new year.
How did you decide on the EP title?
For this EP, I wrote about the ebbs and flow of my life: love, heartache, fear, excitement, and the great unknown. Love is wild and it comes in many forms so I thought “For the Wild Ones” fit the mood I was in for this body of work.
The majority of the songs on this EP are upbeat and energizing. I know it can be hard to choose, but which song is your favourite on the EP and why?
I like “Top Down Honey” the best. It has a really cool worldly beat and I really connect with the moment in time which the song is about – and that’s when we hit the open road, leaving our LA home, and starting a brand-new adventure up to Oregon. That was a defining moment for me and my life.
There are two unreleased tracks on For the Wild Ones, “Golden Hand” and “Mulholland”. Which of these songs are you most excited for your fans to hear?
“Golden Hand” is more of an Intro to the body of work – so I’m most excited about “Mulholland.”
You’ve had your music featured on some really popular TV shows like Netflix’s and Marvel’s The Punisher and Jessica Jones, MTV’s Fakin’ It, and CW’s Charmed. How does making music for shows differ to making music in general/for the masses?
Some of the songs I’ve gotten on shows have been written for my artist project and not intended for TV. I really love when that’s the case and most of the time it is. Other times I intentionally write in a certain theme or mood to fit a desired outcome. At the end of the day, I’m still not 100% sure why certain songs are chosen over others! I’m still trying to get to the bottom of it.
Bouncing off that, could you choose which of your songs that you’ve had in a show is your favourite?
My favorite one so far is “Cant Love Me” Ft Tyler Blackburn, which is on the CW’s Roswell, NM. It’s such a powerful song and the scene it’s in is truly epic! Plus, Tyler is acting – because he’s a cast member – while our song is playing which just takes it to the next level of rad.
You’re an independent artist that often comes with a lot of amazing advantages but also some challenges. You talk a lot about this on your Instagram and TikTok, oftentimes giving advice to other independent artists. What does being an independent artist mean to you, and if you could give one ultimate, best piece of advice to other independent artists, what would it be?
Yes, there’s incredible power in being independent, it also has its downfalls! I’m the kind of person who does like to have control – especially when it comes to my art. Making all the decisions gives me the power and forces me to take responsibility for the outcome of whether or not something does well, after all there is no one else to blame if not. If it goes well, it’s a fantastic win and you get to fully hold the profit and the gains. But I will say, the times I’ve worked with a label I’ve truly enjoyed having the team. It’s nice to have a group to bounce ideas off with, get validation, and just feel supported. At the end of the day, you know yourself and your project better than anyone else, so either way it’s up to you to decide. If you get the option to work with a label, just use your best judgment and be smart about it. I always decide and intend that the right thing will happen no matter what if you have that viewpoint it sets you up for a positive outcome.
Finally, any other plans for the rest of the year? What’s next for you on the horizon?
Yes! Like I mentioned I’m heading out to work on a new body of work with an incredible producer, Lee Miles. I’m planning on doing more novelty type songs but I also want to just let the creative juices flow in whichever direction that feels the best. I have so many ideas and I’m so looking forward to bringing some new tunes to life.
Give For The Wild Ones a listen below and for more information on Novi, visit her website, give her page a like on Facebook, or follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
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