John Nowicki officially releases his new solo album The Holy Terror (And Other Diversions) in grand style at a free gig where the Tampa songwriter will be joined by a band that includes composer Melissa Grady, trumpeter Kenny Pullin, bassist Peter Nuffer, guitarist Scott Miller plus Troy Cedeno and Holy Terror producer Owen Meats. Weirdo Americana, jazz, metal and outlaw country all rolled into one beautiful set.
As a follow up to our Cocktail Issue story about the singer-songwriter and bitters maker, Nowicki has broken down his new album, track-by-track. See the explanations — and listen to the album — below.
The Holy Terror Album Release w/Vetnough. Sun. Nov. 4, 6:30 p.m. No cover. Independent Bar and Cafe, 5016 N Florida Ave,Tampa. independentbartampa.com.
Drink It Away One of the two most "country" songs on the album. It chronicles a man facing down an ugly divorce, and his quest to delay the inevitable by drowning his sorrows. The sparseness of the arrangement is an attempt to mirror the hollow feeling of a bad hangover, and the scant comfort that "drinking it away" affords him.
Got the Words A true story about how difficult it is to keep an open communication with my muse as an adult. Being a musician while also holding down a job, raising a kid, and paying bills is an insane balancing act at times. Luckily, my muse keeps singing stuff into my ear.
Calm An instrumental duet for guitar and cello that features the fantastic Melissa Grady on cello. It first appeared in a different arrangement on a 2002 four-track recording I made called Letters to Sky.
$8.00 in the Hole The other attempt at a straight country song on the album. It features Tug Winthrop on dobro. It is also a true story. I've heard that all you need for a legitimate country song are 3-4 chords and the truth. I'd like to add this: It ain't country 'til the women are pissed off.
Carolina An ode to the fascinating, slinky, predatory creatures one finds in smoky bars. It features Kenny Pullin on trumpet.
Stinging Nettle An instrumental written for banjo, violin, and guitar. This is one of the more interesting pieces the Holy Terror plays live, as far as arrangement. It feels like we briefly become a chamber ensemble when we play it — lots of individuals "laying out," and lots of sparse, complementary parts working together.
Occupy Your Head The oddball. It's in 5/4, which is an inherently uncomfortable time signature, and the lead line is played on a banjo in drop-D tuning. My voice was pretty tattered after doing a couple takes of that scream at the end — so don't expect that to happen often.
Driftwood It's about man's insignificance in the face of nature's wrath. We're such specks. I wrote this song several years ago, but it became topical again for me after Tampa barely avoided getting its ass obliterated by Hurricane Irma last year. Specks, man. fractions of specks.
Creek Tries to lighten the mood. I wrote it on vacation in the Georgia mountains. It's about sitting next to a creek and drinkin' with mah baby.
D'Alyse An instrumental piece for two guitars and accompanying keys. I intended it to evoke the feeling of love. Real love. Like, being wrapped in your lover's arms, safe and filled with gratitude.
Here Comes And, because I'm an asshole, I purposely followed 'D'Alyse" up with this tale of the apocalypse told by a drug-addled redneck.
This article appears in Nov 1-8, 2018.