Check out our interview with talented artist Novi (pronounced no-vee), whose music you probably have heard on your favorite shows like Netflix’s The Punisher and Jessica Jones, MTV’s Fakin’ It and CW’s Charmed, but whose name you may not recognize.
Novi, aka Carolyne Neuman, is an Oregon native, indie synth-pop singer whose sound has the charisma and airiness of Lorde. Not only has her music been featured on TV series, she has even collabed with Pretty Little Liars’ heartthrob and actor, Tyler Blackburn, on the songs “Can’t Love Me” and “Long Day,” which have accumulated over a million streams on Spotify. Novi’s songs always allow her versatile, fun personality to shine through.
Her new single “Top Down Honey” shows Novi’s mellow side, with a dreamy sound that will surely make you want to hop in the car and take a drive. Novi wrote this song while moving back home with her fiancé to her roots in Southern Oregon from LA. It’s about the ecstasy you get while driving on the open road with the person you love to be with the most and the feeling of endless possibilities. Novi wants her music to be an escape, which is something we all need as this tough year comes to an end.
Follow Novi @besonovi
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Positive, imaginative, fun
We’re sure you have been asked this million times but how did you get into the industry?
I grew up doing musical theater in a small town (Ashland, Oregon). I always had the dream to move to LA and get into Acting and comedy, I wanted to be the next Lucille ball! So after I graduated High School that’s what I did… One day I was selling a watch on Craigslist for my dad, and the guy buying it was a known singer in a popular boy band. We got to chatting and I played him a demo of a Nora Jones cover that I recorded. He loved it and ended up hooking me up with Lee Miles, who produced the majority of my music! I really fell in love with the process of creating music, and bringing my ideas and poetry to life.
Describe your sound in 3 words?
Vibey, catchy, moody
Who influenced you and why did you choose to make music?
I was influenced early on by creatives like Imogen Heap, Lauren Hill, Dr Dre, and a lot of 90’s music! I choose to make music because it’s an area that I can best use my imagination to bring ideas to life. I can communicate concepts in an authentic way, through a medium that is highly digestible by the soul! Music is like your best friend, it’s there when you’re happy, when you’re sad, and all the in betweens.
Do you play any instruments?
I’m currently learning Guitar, and I also play a little piano and ukulele.
Do you ever get nervous?
OF COURSE! I do have debilitating nerves pre live show/performance but the good news is I’ve gotten a lot better about this in recent times. I’ve realized nerves are a good thing, it means you’re getting ready to conquer your fears!
Tell us about your new single “Top Down Honey?”
My producer Lee Miles created that dope rhythmic beat, and I just loved it so much, so I kept writing different ideas to it. Then my friend and producer Stelouse came to Oregon to write and produce my EP. He really helped me get it where it needed to go with those smooth, dreamy vocals and building mix!
What’s the story behind the song?
During the pandemic, my fiancé Max and I decided to get in our sprinter van and move our lives up to Oregon from LA. It felt like a big leap of faith to uproot. We drove all through the night, when Max woke me up around 6am to take over I was so out of it, but while I drove the sun came up and I started to feel so alive. So free! That feeling of freedom, possibility and adventure took over. I wanted everyone to feel that and also to connect with simpler times, its a crazy world out there and a little reprieve is sometimes needed. So that’s what “Top down Honey” is all about.
Did you have concerts planned and cancelled because of COVID? If so have you done any online concerts or interaction with your fans?
Yes! We were scheduled to play SWSW 2020, moonrise festival 2020 and also tour with High School Nation.
Instead I’ve been recording tons of music and creating music videos with some really talented people up here in Oregon!
Which project is still on your bucket list?
Wow, so many! To name a few: I want to have my own cooking show (I love cooking), make a novelty record with all humorous songs about random things and to create a spiritual record with music that elevates the human experience.
What is fun and rewarding about what you do? And what’s not?
It’s such an incredible experience writing and recording a song!! I love the collaboration aspect of working with other people’s imaginations other than my own and combining ideas and making little musical worlds… I mean what’s not fun about that!? I guess the only thing that’s tough is when the ideas don’t come to you like you wish they would. But that is all part of the game.
What’s next for Novi in the last months of 2020?
I’m releasing 2 singles and a really fun high energy music video in November. We are creating so much visual content in the next few months for my EP release in January. I’m also going to be seeing family and enjoying some winter activities.
What is your favorite song? And why?
That’s too hard to choose. But a band that I listen to EVERY MORNING on my walk to uplift my spirits is a project called ELEPHANT HEART!
Any loves other than music?
I really love comedy, exploring the great out of doors! cooking, tennis, family time, my bernedoodle Gwen, and traveling!
Best advice ever given?
I think simply to follow your intuition.
How’s a typical day in your life?
- I wake up around 6-7am have coffee for an hour and do emails and enjoy some YouTube
- Then I journal and write out what I’m grateful for that day and what I’m trying to manifest for the day-week-year. I normally go for a long walk or to the gym for an hour or so
- I make a nice lunch, normally a big salad or some protein waffles!
- Then I typically (plug-in) meaning I go into my studio and work on songs, I’ve been writing a lot of licensing pitches for TV/Film or ad songs recently. I do FaceTime writing sessions a couple times a week as well
- Then normally I have some sort of content meeting or shoot. My great friend Olivia Corin (social media manager) and I are always conjuring up new ideas, planning etc.
- Then I normally hang with my fiancé Max and take our dog for a walk or practice our live set (He plays in my band, or actually… he is my band!)
- Then most nights I love making dinner at home. Lately I’ve been loving fresh fish, or turkey and veggies and delicious sauces.
- Then we typically watch a couple episodes of whatever show we are into. Right now, we are finishing “Raised by Wolves” on HBO (what a cray show!) and I make a little dessert of some kind.
- Then I go to bed around 10pm.
Name one your strengths?
I think I have a way of making people feel good about themselves and I love that.
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
- Sleep a lot!!
- Do a long pretty hike somewhere in the wilderness.
- Go out to a fun lunch, shop around town
- Get a massage!
- Snuggle on the couch and binge watch something delightful while enjoying some healthy ish comfort food.
What is your favorite song to belt out in the car or for karaoke?
Truly any song by SIA!
What is your own definition of happiness?
Living in the moment. Having a purpose and creating along that line. Achieving goals!
Do you support any charities?
Yes, most recently donating our time and resources to the fire relief in our area! Our valley was devastated by the Almeda fire last month and it’s been an all hands on deck to help feed and clothe displaced families etc.
What is your favorite healthy food?
Sweet potato and Seasnax!
And your favorite cheat food?
Fries and cheesecake
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Basically just expanding on where I am now! I see lots of music being created on a massive scale. We will be building a wonderful recording studio up here in Oregon. Ideally playing some international festivals, starting a family with my fiancé Max Liberty, and creating on multiple business ventures!
How would you describe your fashion style?
Tomboy chic
What do you think of Social Media?
I think there is a lot to love and hate about it! But I tend to have a lot of fun on my Stories and I truly enjoy that aspect. I love reaching peeps across the globe!
Where can we follow you?
Spotify: Novi
Instagram: @besonovi
Twitter: @besonovi
Facebook: @OfficiallyNovi
Quote: “If you have good thoughts, they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.” Roald Dahl”
Travel Destination: St Tropez
Sports Team: Yikes. I need one.
Photo credits: Olivia Stinton @oliviacorin
