The Bad Penny (beta)

More and more musicians seem to be playing their first gig in Boise these days, no doubt a sign of the city’s growth (150,000 more people live here now than in 2020). That gives Novulent, an up-and-coming shoegaze musician, an opportunity to convert many attendees into fans – whom the singer/songwriter affectionately refers to as his “novas.” The Bad Penny caught up with Novulent, who hails from Dallas, about playing Boise for the first time, what’s on tap for tonight’s show and which record is the tops.

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Hiya Novulent. I can’t seem to find any indication you’ve played Boise before. Did you decide to come here simply because of routing, or were there other reasons why you chose to grace this city for the first time?

Honestly, I came here ’cause I wanted to explore [new places] this tour. Ninety-nine percent of these stops are in cities I’ve never been to. I’m a shut-in that stays in the house all day, playing with my cats, so [when it comes to] tour, I’m like, “Fuck it, let’s go anywhere.” My novas [fans] are worldwide, so I’m sure they appreciate me coming to their home.

Aside from integrating new material, is your set on this tour gonna be different in any other ways than in tours past?

Mainly songs off Vol. 3, my final Vol album [released in February]. It’s my most underrated work yet – too many sleep on it – so what better way to show it off then touring with it?

What vision did you have for Vol. 3 going into the making of it? In what ways did it turn out as you expected and in what ways did it not?

All of my Vol. albums are my “coming-of-age story” in music form. I started at 17/18 [years old,] which is Vol.1. 19 was Vol. 2 and Vol. 3 was 20/21. From start to finish, they detail my life during that time period. So Vol. 3 concludes that.

What are you most proud of in terms of the new album? What sides and aspects of Novulent does the record reveal that even devoted fans hadn’t been aware of before?

That things get better. I’m living proof. I went through hell during my teen years to get to where I am now, getting to understand myself better, my drive, my emotions, my purpose, etc. Vol. 3 shows that off. It has a beautiful ending, a perfect conclusion to my early years. Of course, nothing is set, anything can happen, but it’s healing music. It’s beautiful.

What item/request on your tour rider might surprise people the most?

I don’t have anything crazy. I barely eat.

What’s the craziest show you’ve performed thus far?

Hollywood, easily. My novas were perfect during that set. They fed off my energy, I fed off theirs, we were in sync the way I want all my shows to be.

What’s the lamest show you’ve performed thus far?

None. I appreciate my novas anywhere and everywhere.

What’s the best show you’ve ever attended?

My own. Nothing beats that rush I get. This tour has been amazing.

What are your favorite shoegaze and grunge records?

Feels Like You by Whirr. Also, it’s not a shoegaze album, but this Japanese band called Downy, they’re incredible. All their tracks are in Japanese, though, so I don’t know the names. A shoegaze-inspired band I love a lot as well is Julie. “Piano Instrumental” is my favorite song by them. 

Do you have any plans to do anything specific in Boise while you’re here, or will you be too strapped for time?

Too strapped for time. We’re back- to-back for all these shows. After this, we’re immediately onto the next state and the next state – the way I like it.

Tickets for tonight’s Novulent show at the Shredder are $32.75. Buy them here. Start time is advertised at 7 p.m., with dream-pop newcomer Babyteeth handling opening duties.

Novulent’s remaining tour dates:

6.28 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
6.30 – Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater
7.2 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Beer City Music Hall
7.6 – Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
7.7 – Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry
7.9 – Chicago, IL @ Reggies Chicago
7.10 – Detroit, MI @ Lager House
7.12 – Columbus, OH @ Ace of Cups
7.31 – San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger
8.1 – McAllen, TX @ Cine El Rey
8.8 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall

For more on Novulent, go to his website.

This entry was posted on 06/27/2026 at 7:27 am and is filed under Concert Previews, Interviews with tags Babyteeth, Novulent, Whirr. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.