Girl at the Rock Shows

I was absolutely hooked when I heard “nice to see, i still hate u.” from Civil Rebellion. There was something nostalgic about the sound that instantly gave me Green Day vibes but also something super refreshing about it. I wanted to know all I could about what makes Civil Rebellion, well, Civil Rebellion and I was quick to figure out it was all Noah. Noah is the brains behind this group and is super young– as in just graduated high school last year young. I was a bit shook. I knew there was something fresh about the sound I was hearing from this single but definitely didn’t expect the freshness to come from someone young enough to be my own child (okay, that’s a bit dramatic but you get what I’m trying to say). I was beyond ecstatic when I was given the chance to ask Noah some more questions about life, music, and everything in-between!

What was the first concert you ever went to?

My first ever concert I believe was Sound Garden at maybe The Neptune Theater here in Seattle? I’ll never forget that middle aged blonde woman tossing ice at the crowd below. Good times

Everyone says that every crowd is their favorite but, what city has the best audience and why is it Minneapolis?

I’ve actually never been to Minneapolis! But… I’ve also been literally nowhere. So I’ve gotta give it to SEATTLE BABY!

What’s your go-to purchase at a gas station (outside of gas) when on a road trip?

if I’m on a road trip that typically means I’m with other people. So with that in mind, I’m probably grabbing some ear plugs. People are loud. And obnoxious. If I’m by myself however. Probably ear plugs. That way I can block out the drivers trying to warn me of my dangers.

How would you describe your music to your parents and/or grandparents?

With a record like dear diary… I’d approach them with something on the lines of… “It’s pretty angsty I won’t lie to you. It might not be your vibe. But it’s very fun, energetic rock. Little bit of of that early 90’s punk rock style to it. Now. Some lyrics might leave you rolling your eyes but it’s all just a story! So don’t freak out!”

Have you been told you have a bit of an old soul before? I mean, seriously, your music has an almost vintage vibe to it but you are so young!

Hahaha! Literally ALL THE TIME. My favorite line that I keep hearing repeat itself to me from others is, “your so wise” or “you’re such a wise old soul” for instance, I’ll have friends come to me asking for advice or just sharing an issue or event they’re going through; and now what I’ll do is, I’ll start every sentence with, “okay so I’m literally an 80 year old man…” just to set the scene of the type of response they’re about to get hahah. It probably comes from just my early childhood of having to BE an adult before the age of 12. Also the music exposure was just amazing. I grew up listening to bands like Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Soul Asylum ect. Before diving into bands like Muse or Green Day. So I do think those more “mature” lyrics also played a roll in realism for me at a very young age possibly playing a role in my more “old soul” style.

If you could compare yourself to a sea creature, what kind of sea creature would it be and why?

A blob fish…. I just sit there… waiting for my food. And when it comes into site… then I eat it……

You grew up outside of Seattle so grunge was kind of in your blood– how do you think your music would have been different had you grown up in Charlotte, NC or would you even be doing music?

I really don’t know. I have so many other projects I’ll do in the future that if music WASN’T on the table, I’d definitely find some other form of business/entertainment to devote my time and energy into. Like owning a restaurant. But even then I still think I’d be incorporating music into that “other” idea. So maybe I’d work to open a rock restaurant with live music? Who knows I’d honestly probably just find a bridge and get comfy under it low key.

Favorite lyrics of all time?

I’d say one of my favorite lyrics would be, “watch me, take a good thing and fuck it all up in one night.” That song being ‘I THINK IM OK’ by MGK and YUNGBLUD. It’s just so fricken true! Like, something can be going great… But then watch me go fuck it up in one night. Hahah! That whole song inspired the energy and message shown through my album ‘dear diary…’ it was also the first NEW release that I actually really enjoyed listening to. So that song brought tons of opportunities to not only me, but to the pop punk scene as a whole as well.

Noah, you just graduated high school last year (which is insane) but do you plan on doing just music from here on out?

If you’re asking will I ever attend college or other form of education, I don’t really have any desire to. Except for possibly training opera to incorporate in new records. But as far as schooling goes… not really my thing. Having that said, I have MANY projects aside from music I will tackle in the future to come. So yes, I’ll always be making/playing music (or until I run out of ideas) but I will never stop working on new creative projects in my future.

If you were to rob a bank, what would be the song playing in the getaway car as you escape?

ooooo I think there’s one song that’s just perfect for this. You might’ve heard of it. It’s by this really really reaallly talented artist. It’s gotta be ‘troubl makr!’ By Civil Rebellion. Hahahah! “Can’t catch me!” Such a great song for breaking rules.

What’s the worst concert you’ve ever been to and why?

Lana Del Rey. Let me explain. She has an incredible voice. Suuuuuper talented and all that. But homie she was like 45 minutes to an hour late to the show, every girl in the crowd was literally crying. It was its own show offstage! Although… whilst we were all awaiting our extra time when Lana was doing… Lana things. I met these random dudes who were going to the show alongside their girlfriends who (like me) were just kinda there. Anyways, we all decided to hop on a live mobile Mario Kart race so that was hype as fuuuuuck. We got rowdy. She literally threw a half eaten peach into the crowd! I would’ve thrown it back. She did have a swing though… so that was fun.

Is there something you hope people keep in mind while listening to your music?

Yes!! Have fun! It’s as simple as that. You control who you want to be. For the most part that is. We all have times when our brain takes control. But I hope when you listen to THIS album specifically, you just find that fun hidden energy boiling within your bones and just say “fuck it!” Get off your phones and climb a tree damnit! Talk to a stranger! Go out and DO something. It’s so fun… Literally so fun. I hope for just two things. One, you like the music, and two, allow it to bring back some form of light that might seem lost. Life is full of blockades you just gotta punch through until you find where you want to be.

I heard your song “nice to see, i still hate u” and loved the Green Day vibe in it. That being said, I feel like there are so many other elements throughout the track and brand new album, ‘Dear Diary’– Is this going to be an ongoing trend for you?

Definitely. Especially with the punk rock style displayed in dear diary… I like to hit many different feels/styles to incorporate everyone listening. I’m not much of a fan of the same style on repeat throughout a record. I like to find what I call the “foundation sound” then I base most of the songs around that whilst tweaking them to not be EXACTLY the same, and then I’ll add some polar opposite tone with lyrics that still flow with the rest of the songs in the album. For instance songs like ‘Just Don’t be Fake’ and ‘Money’ Off the record. They’re a much slower tempo and much more melodic, but they still relate to those other heavy rock songs and the albums message as a whole.

Noah, If you could leave my younger readers with one bit of advice when it comes to being so young in the industry, what would it be?

Don’t let clouded control or rules keep you from having fun and being you! You’re supposed to make mistakes and mess around! Now I’m not saying go steal a car and drive it in a lake. That’s only on Thursdays. But we all know that. I’m joking. Don’t go steal Stephanie’s Mercedes and drive it in the lake. But what I am saying is to get up and enjoy yourself. The mind NEEDS social interactions and NEEDS the thrill of adventure. Me being able to even think about pursuing music as a career is a treat in itself, but it’s all mindset, drive and passion. ANYONE can achieve it. You just have to be willing to put in the work. And it’s honestly fun! It’s YOUR business. Take creative control. Personally, I’m a very “do it myself” type of person. That’s just how I’ve learned I prefer to function. Have discipline. I start my days dark and early in the mornings to get work done that’s typically on my NEXT project. You’ve gotta break the mind barrier that tells you to hit the snooze button and instead, just go for it. You can literally do whatever you want, but you won’t get anywhere if you don’t put in the work. For me, I live with these few words in mind. “Under promise, and over deliver.” But with a slight twist. Strive to have that “under promise” the same level if not bigger than what’s typically expected. For example. “Under promise” a performance to the public to be a ‘B+’ performance. Still a VERY good grade. Typically you’d expect an “under promise” to be something like a ‘C’. By doing this, the public is now expecting a fairly great show. But, (using music as an example) secretly YOU and YOUR band are expecting a performance more towards an ‘A’ or ‘A+’ performance. That is as long as you put in the proper work to be able to achieve this. This leaves people leaving your show with more satisfaction whilst leaving them with the impression of “oh shit. That was only a grade ‘B’ performance?” The idea is, you always want to be raising the bar for not only yourself, but also for those around you. Never settle. You don’t NEED a big record label to be a successful musician. What I was lucky enough to do and highly recommend for any new artists to do, is first, create something you TRULY BELIEVE is amazing. Get feedback. Take that feedback and use it to your advantage. It’s literally a free ticket to a better success. Be a little different to set you apart. And lastly. Which is the most important thing believe it or not. Have fun. If you’re writing something but not enjoying it, that lack of work or drive will transpose throughout your project which will then taint it as a whole. Take a break. But never quit. That’s what they EXPECT us to do.

Things I’ve learned about Noah through this interview: I love him more than I love his single. I’m totally kidding but, seriously, this kid is wise beyond his years. If you didn’t have the time to read through this entire interview, I truly urge you to just read his answer to my final question. I plan on printing off that answer and taping it to my desk for those days where I am feeling defeated.

I truly hope you love Civil Rebellion as much as I do and hope you take some time with Noah’s music and flawless energy.

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