TJ Novak Tore Up Tenderness Album Release Show at Twilite Lounge

There’s no shortage of people who sing and play guitar in Dallas, but no one's doing it quite like TJ Novak. He packed out Deep Ellum’s Twilite Lounge Friday night to celebrate the release of his debut album, Tenderness. The swanky, dimly lit room was the perfect atmosphere for his brand of speakeasy rock.

Without a word, Novak and his band kicked off the show with the first of many instrumental jams, and instinctively, everyone in the room started grooving. Hearing the McKinney raised musician live is like an extravagant firework show; you could catch a video of it online, but until you see it in person, you really don't know what you're missing.

Novak introduced his band, then dove into “Terrifying Nightmare,” one of his more jazzy joints. The man of the night ripped a wah solo, then transitioned into a cleaner riff-based section with repeated phrases, garnering a stank face from anyone in the vicinity. With just a look, he and drummer Justin Hoard slowed the pace, then moved into another jam with a sick unison riff from Novak and Alec Zieff on saxophone.

Tenderness marks a milestone in Novak’s musical journey. The wah pedal warrior has spent the last few years grinding through Deep Ellum’s bars and clubs, picking up on everything he can to hone his craft. Alongside his killer live albums, this record further cements Novak as one of the shining stars in the Dallas scene.

The album mixes older singles and new songs like “Rather Be in New Orleans,” a reserved keys-led track, and “Colorado Blues,” a soulful joint that shows off Novak’s voice and hints at what his upcoming country record might sound like. Clocking in at just over 45 minutes, the record is a smooth ride from front to back with plenty of laid-back tracks to get lost in.

Next, they performed “Falling” with an impressive showing from Zieff. His saxophone screeched at the peak of every run, with evident effort given the strain on his face. Novak took over with a nasty repeated riff that became the base of their next improv section.
There wasn't a moment missed by the crowd, who let out an ear-piercing whistle at every standout note and roaring applause after every solo. Novak and his crew ruled the night, giving everyone something to groove to as they swayed and sipped their drinks. The vibes were immaculate.

The band flowed from song to song with very few breaks or pauses. When it was time to move into the next track, Novak only had to glance at the other players, and suddenly, they were all in sync, ready for whatever came next.
Bassist Bill Hamilton and Hoard held it down for their cover of Erykah Badu’s “Tyrone.” They also performed “Miss You,” by The Rolling Stones and Bobby Caldwell's “What You Won't Do For Love”. Of course, the 27-year-old Dead-head threw in a cover of their “Fire on the Mountain,” just for good measure.

Zieff ripped through “I Just Wanna Believe in Love Again,” then Novak gave a playful wah solo. “Do You Believe in UFOs” featured a funky improv from Novak that went on for several minutes before David Hobbs picked up on keys with a solo that became the main riff of their next improv section. The band floated from track to track without a care in the world, truly relishing in the special occasion.

Novak has poured countless hours into the Deep Ellum scene, and it reflected beautifully in last night's lively performance. Each guitar solo was heartfelt, captivating the audience with a relaxed swagger and genuine charm that can’t be emulated.

The frequent improv sections and solos truly made the night feel like a one-of-a-kind event that couldn't be replicated. Every song was given room to breathe with extended solo and improv sections. That's the magic behind one of Novak's live shows; the band plays whatever they feel in the moment, so each solo or jam section is tailored to that night and may never be heard again.

Excluding a few water breaks, the show ran from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. The musicians must have been dog-tired by the time they left the stage, but they never let it show. It was an electric night from start to finish, a fitting celebration for Novak's first (hopefully of many) studio albums.