From Beethoven to Hendrix: Inside Adam Novak’s Playlist

Have you ever wondered what your favorite musicians listen to when they’re off the clock? The answer can be radically different depending on who you ask and what genre they play. In a recent interview with a fellow member of his band Soul Safari, Adam Novak revealed his favorite songs, bands, and musical inspirations, many of which don't fall in the indie category, yet are just as influential to him.

Novak was first influenced in the early stages of Soul Safari. After he watched the music biopic film, Bohemian Rhapsody, Novak thought, “What do I have to lose?”, and Soul Safari began soon after. He's seen his favorite band, The Muse, in concert three times, their energetic composition style a feeling that Novak tries to emulate in Soul Safari's songs. As the band grows and evolves, Novak’s music taste has changed with it, bringing about a new wave of musical inspiration and ambition.

While Soul Safari is known for its indie sound, Novak has always wanted to explore more of a psychedelic or even metal sound. Fade to Black, his favorite track, doesn't follow their usual clean sound, but is instead chaotic and different. “It's supposed to be messy,” he says. “It's busy [and] fun."

As a guitarist, Novak loves the work of Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain. He takes inspiration from Hendrix’s strumming and complex rhythm styles, but he also enjoys the simplicity of Cobain. Unsurprisingly, these artists, along with The Beatles and Beethoven, is Novak’s dream concert lineup, which is not only the most unexpected roster, but also a testament to Novak's eclectic music taste and dynamic musical influences.

It's often said that you can find out a lot about a person based on the music they listen to. Sharing a playlist is almost as intimate as sharing a kiss, so when Novak encountered the end of his interview, the final question had the potential to be quite revealing: If a song played every time you walked into a room, which song would it be? Many songs across several genres were discussed as possible winners, but Novak couldn't pick just one. He settled on Walk This Way by Aerosmith and Something in the Way by Nirvana, his personal theme songs a nod back to the classic rock influences that started it all. The interview concluded with a live performance by Novak, his acoustic rendition of Vincent by Don McLean a soft and sweet farewell to balance out his musical identity.

Adam Novak’s musical tastes may span decades and genres, but that’s exactly what gives his sound a distinctive edge. Every influence, from Beethoven’s classical depth to Hendrix’s electric style, adds an element to Novak’s personal artistry, a sound that blends metal, indie, classic rock, and even some classical. These styles not only shape the sound of Soul Safari, but they also define Novak’s musical identity, one that continues to evolve with every track he discovers.