Tommy Novak has found a new audience after making it through an audition for The Voice. Photos: Seven Network.
Tommy Novak is the first to say it’s been “a big 12 months” – which has only been made bigger by his appearance on our television screens.
He recently passed the blind auditions on this year’s The Voice Australia, wowing audiences (and the judges) with his cover of ‘Landslide’ by Fleetwood Mac.
“I just mustered up the courage to step onto that stage on national television and to sing for the coaches,” he tells Region.
“I think the benefit of being a little bit older meant I was really intentional about it.”
The 36-year-old musician says the decision to go on the show sees him “putting it all on the line”.
“Obviously there was quite a bit of a journey – getting there [and] going into that process [of the audition] and the anticipation.
“Certainly, the idea of leaving my safe and stable corporate job to really back myself and have this moment … was really special.”
Like a lot of kids growing up in the Malua Bay area, Tommy spent plenty of time outdoors and playing sports.
But he says music was never far from his heart.
“I think as a kid, it was my escape. I could just go off into my own world … It’d transport me.
“I loved jumping on the keyboard and singing all kinds of songs.”
Among his favourite singers and songwriters were The Beatles, Neil Diamond and John Farnham.
Tommy says he’s “still pinching myself” that amid his audition he was able to chat with Richard Marx about their shared love for the Aussie great.
The moment took him back almost 20 years to his HSC when he sang John Farnham songs for his music class.
“It’s the full-circle moment of thinking back to Year 11 and Year 12 … It ties it all together, which is really beautiful,” he says.
Tommy (centre) with judges Richard Marx and Ronan Keating.
Tommy has worked as a professional musician for the past decade, but he describes himself as “always [having] been a sideman” amid working corporate gigs.
“[That means] playing guitar and playing keyboard and singing backing vocals in a band, or playing in bars … that’s all part of those experiences that have shaped the musician that I am.
“I think the thing that I have really realised in the last 12 months was a craving to go out there, do it myself and build the commotion with audiences myself.”
His love of music has been part of his life for years, but he says the renewed focus came from reflecting on what he wanted his career to be.
“When I’m on that stage – singing my songs and singing other beautiful songs that I love – I feel completely at home.
“When I did the blind audition, I really felt a sense of, ‘I’ve arrived and this is where I’m meant to be.’”
After making it through the audition, Tommy says he’s hard at work preparing for the knockout rounds.
He gathered his loved ones for a private party to see the airing of his audition episode, but he’s planning something more public for the coming episodes.
“I really want to ride that wave [of the experience],” he says when asked about what comes next.
“It’s really special to have that moment with my family and friends. I’m excited to open it up and see people’s faces and connect with new people.”
And while he’s now based in Sydney, he still holds the coast close to his heart.
“I think growing up on the coast has really given me an appreciation for the simpler things in life. Just taking time out and just having in nature … [an] appreciation of the beauty of the coast.”
Australian Idol is airing on the Seven Network and on the 7plus streaming service. You can also follow Tommy through his Facebook page.
Original Article published by Claire Sams on About Regional.
