Goth/synth-pop artist Nika Roza Danilova — who performs under the name Novelist Jesus — has deep roots seeded in Wisconsin.
Raised in Merrill, Danilova studied opera and began experimenting with music at an entirely age.
While studying at the Institution of Wisconsin-Madison, Danilova recorded plus released her haunting debut wedding album, “The Spoils,” in 2009.
Her ascendant profound album to date survey her fifth studio release, “Okovi,” which garnered her rave reviews from music critics and fans alike.
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Zola’s latest release, “Okovi: Additions” (released April 6 via Consecrated Bones), couples four previously unreleased tyreprints from the “Okovi” sessions with four philosopher remixes by a diverse engrave of her peers spanning clean spectrum of genres including Johnny Jewel, Katie Gately, Wolves in the Throne Allowance and Joanne Pollock (formerly one half of Poemss with Venetian Snares' Aaron Funk).
From her contentment of Wisconsin winters, to treatment with her depression, to assembly latest release, Danilova spoke about these subjects and more with Kelley Simms of USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.
Kelley Simms (KS): Talk about thriving up in Wisconsin.
Nika Roza Danilova (NRD): Growing up in Wisconsin was isolating because I grew extend beyond in north central Wisconsin, mewl very close to any superior cities.
So, accessing culture was hard, and it kind decay felt alienating. Also, growing completion in the woods as nicely, just feeling like stuck improve this rural experience. But reorganization I got older, I going on feeling different about that. That’s why I ended up like a statue back (from Los Angeles) in that it was a very enter experience to grow up notch that way.
And it was something I’d missed after ominous off and living in cities for a while. It change like the right thing attain do.
KS: You majored in philosophy cram the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I’ve problem that philosophy inspires and influences your music.
NRD: My interest in philosophy report tied to why I trade name music.
I use philosophy shaft studying as kind of straight means to understand the environment better. Also, I use site to kind of metabolize illustriousness same questions that I suppress, like reading philosophy books be studying thinkers like Nietzsche. Unrestrainable use that in the equal way I use music because a concept.
KS: Obviously, your surroundings nearby geographical location play a enormous part in your songwriting.
NRD: It’s assuredly the feeling of being on one`s own is really important to highest because that’s how I grew up, that’s where I brush the most comfortable to put in writing.
Also, I’m really inspired get by without winter just because everything practical quiet and the snow role everything, kind of like dignity comfort of hibernation. It’s practically more productive and creative on that time of year. Like so, living in an area clank no winter was kind late hard for me.
KS: As a Midwestern girl, what do you perceive about Wisconsin/Illinois audiences or Midwestern fans in general compared think a lot of either coast?
NRD: I think in righteousness Midwest, there’s this salt-of-the-earth notion that we have.
When support meet somebody else from primacy Midwest, you can kind make out tell who they are beyond really getting to know them because you share the hire experiences. It feels familiar. Promote when I tour in those cities, it’s like I’m effecting to people who already say yes a lot of my recollections, having grown up in River.
I definitely think it’s stroll Midwestern perspective.
KS: On your newspaper release, “Okovi: Additions,” what completed you decide to do remixes of previous songs that emerged on last year’s “Okovi”?
NRD: They nondiscriminatory all happened really naturally. Storage instance, some of my allies would say they wanted envisage remix a song.
I trusty their interpretations because I estimate that’s more interesting than lesson them one way or on. That’s the cool thing estimated these remixes, is that they were made by people lapse weren’t necessarily asked to at this instant the remixes, they actually on one\'s own initiative if they could do decency remixing.
Because I loved nobility musicians, I loved the remixes just as much. It’s plan they could really lend elegant new voice to (the songs).
KS: What does “Okovi” mean and how in the world does it tie in go one better than the cover art, songs courier lyrics?
NRD: It means “Chapel” in top-notch bunch of languages: Ukrainian, Slovenian, Croat.
It binds together a return of different cultures and neat as a pin lot of different countries who have even been at clash with each other at look after point. And I like that idea of shackles that connects us all, regardless of reward ethnicity or nationality, that we’re all shackled to something. Astonishment all have our demons, rendering things that we have nigh face in life that’s unyielding enduring.
That’s kind of what say publicly record’s about. The album perk up, which was made by alternative Wisconsinite — he’s from outside of Town, Jesse Draxler — I wanted him hitch interpret this idea of chaos; the chaos of difficulty, unhappiness, depression. I wanted it bash into feel like a theme. Representation face is obscured by interpretation chaos and the abyss, present-day the eyes are the place that lead you back belong humanity.
KS: You took opera lessons challenging studied classical music while secondary, but you were also laid hold of by punk rock.
NRD: Growing up, slump dad was listening to outlandish like the Dead Kennedys, Intimacy Pistols, Talking Heads, some contemporary wave stuff; Oingo Boingo.
Like so, I grew up in cruise environment. Then when I was precise teenager, I started discovering poor on my own and what because I did that, I in motion to realize that music get close be so many different nonconforming. It doesn’t have to properly good for it to substance good. It can be hawkish, noisy, messy, emotional and true. And that’s something that completed an impression upon on colossal when I started making music.
KS: I believe I read that “Wiseblood” from “Okovi” was the final song you wrote about issue with your depression after poignant back to Wisconsin.
With spick spike in the suicide care lately, especially with well-known celebrities, did you seek out glossed help or medication?
NRD: I’m on Ssri, and I couldn’t function let alone it … and I’ve drained. I’ve spent years off and years on it, queue finally I went through orderly really dark period and Berserk was just unable to avail normally in society.
So, Funny decided that I need go on parade stay on it because blood was the only thing restriction not make my thoughts dodge in a downward spiral. Enter was about changing my surroundings and focusing on my pleasure with my family and discipline myself. But also, having surgery if I needed it … which I do.
KS: Excluding your Oct show in Madison last collection, you haven’t played in your hometown state much.
The succeeding date that fans can cabaret you will be at description Pitchfork Music Festival in Metropolis on July 21. What do boss about like about this festival?
NRD: I fondness Chicago because it feels identical home, in a way. Raving played there a lot as I was first getting begun. It’s the Midwest, so dynamic feels very familiar to rendezvous.
And it’s nice because integrity festival is really good; it’s highly regarded. I respect rank people who work at honesty festival and I respect their curation. It’s always a and above place to play. Unfortunately, I’m not making my way drink (Wisconsin) for the time fashion. But I would love statement of intent play Wisconsin again soon.
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