Euphorias Depression (FREE SONG)

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THE STORY Euphoria's Depression is a Canadian acoustic rock band fronted by Marcio Novelli. As its sole singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Novelli is the only official member of the band and remains exclusively responsible for its musical direction. The band name itself refers to the dualistic nature of the music and the idea that those truly troubled are often least expected; personified by the character "Euphoria".
Digging deep into the vast realm of the human psyche, Novelli draws from personal experience, approaching song writing from a heart-on-sleeve declaration of a doomed existence but never void of hope. Novelli's emotionally charged and poignant voice is a refreshing lifesaver in a sea of musical dishonesty, with a vocal timber echoing the likes of Brandon Boyd and Billie Joe Armstrong.
The Overture EP (2006) is a dramatic unveiling of the band, serving to set the stage for all future releases. The self-produced EP, mastered by legendary mastering engineer Chris Athens (Coldplay, Johnny Cash, Bob Marley), is an honest expression of doleful emotions packed with heart and sealed with soul. Released in Canada on Veracious Records, the EP can be found online and in hundreds of select stores around the world.
Having co-headlined many concerts with bands such as Faber Drive, Marianas Trench, ill Scarlett, The Salads, Skye Sweetnam, and countless indie label greats, Euphoria's Depression has never faultered in the wake of being placed directly next to major label artists. Known for performing solo, Novelli sometimes assembles a live band to accompany him on tour, a whole separate entity of Euphoria's Depression in the recording studio.
Teaming up with award winning producer Julius Butty (Alexisonfire, Protest the Hero, City and Colour), the band is preparing to release the BREAK ME EP which can be viewed as the flipside of the same coin that is Euphoria's Depression. Making a conscious effort to break stereotypes and prevent pigeon-holing, song arrangements stretch beyond the acoustic guitar with every instrument performed by Novelli, save drums.
On Myspace.com, the band has managed to reach the number one spot under Canada's top acoustic and folk rock artists after maintaining a top ten spot for well over two years, not to mention exceeding 670,000 total song plays, 210,000 profile views and pushing close to 30,000 friends, a prime example of the band's ever-growing worldwide fan base that has shown no signs of slowing down.
THE PRESS April 2008
Violets for Nikki asks: At what age did you write your first song? What famous musician that has died, would you like to meet?
Marcio: I wrote my first poem at the age of seven and not soon after I wrote my first song. I must have been eight or so and I wrote it on piano. I’ve always been sort of an old soul and never really related to any of the other kids my age so I spent most of my youth creating. As for what famous deceased musician I’d like to meet, I’d have to say Beethoven. How a near deaf person can write some of the greatest compositions in the history of music leaves me baffled. Like Beethoven, I also suffer from tinnitus and, although I do not have as severe a case as he, I know how easily it can drive one mad, especially when your passion is creating music.
How did you come up with the name Euphoria’s Depression?
The name is multi-layered, really. Initially, when I came up with the name at the age of seventeen or so, the material I wrote was as varied and different as anything you could imagine. So, the name reflected the combination of varying influences and writing styles as well as my somewhat bi-polar personality. As the name had some time to sit, it began to grow into something much bigger with “Euphoria” becoming a very important central character in the grand scheme of things that is brought to life by every single person that understands the songs. The idea is that the music represents a part inside of us that we often ignore or pretend doesn’t exist by putting on a smile for the benefit of those around us.
What inspires you to write your songs?
To be perfectly honest, first and foremost, I write to deal and when people grab on and relate to the songs, it turns a negative into a positive. I really expose a lot about myself and my life through my songs, a lot more than most people would be comfortable doing but that’s always been what I loved about my favourite songwriters – their honesty and nakedness. I couldn’t get up on stage and play songs that weren’t an extension of myself. In fact, I probably reveal more through my songs than any other facet of my life.
Which song is your favorite off of your album The Overture? Why?
That’s a tough one because each song really means something different to me. I have my favourites to listen to which are different than my favourites to perform live so I really can’t answer that one. However, I could tell you what my least favourite song off the record is… but I won’t.
Which band has been the most influential that you have performed with at a show?
I’m not easily impressed and I’m even harder to influence. There is a lot of good stuff out there but there’s even more worthless drivel lead by front men that cannot sing and musicians that sound like every other band out there and, unfortunately, most of the stuff that gets recognized is the latter of the two. Most people just seem to eat up meaningless, calculated garbage instead of something with honesty and depth. All cynicism aside, I’m influenced by people who keep moving forward in the face of adversity and against all odds, something I find myself doing constantly.
If you could play with any band in the world, whom would you want to play with?
Probably Thirty Seconds to Mars. I’ve been supporting the guys since 2001, I’m in their music video for “The Kill”, Jared introduced me to his A&R girl, and he told a crowd of kids that we would be sharing the stage together soon. Does that count?
Where is one place that you would love to perform?
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. I have received more requests to tour there than any other place in the world. Stay patient, I’ll see you soon!
What was your happiest moment of your life?
From a musical standpoint, the first real fan mail I ever received telling me how my music saved their life and how much it means to them has got to be on the top of that list. Also, the first time I ever noticed kids in the crowd singing along to my songs definitely threw me off guard and made me feel like, with them by my side, I can accomplish anything.
If you didn’t have music what would you do?
I also act and write.
Where do you see music going in the future?
Digital, unfortunately. CDs are becoming what the record was when I was twelve… ancient history.
What is one instrument you wish you had invented?
Oh, good question! Umm… probably the violin so that I would already know how to play it instead of having it sit in my closet collecting dust for the past few years.
What was it like recording your album The Overture?
It was recorded entirely in the basement I was living in at the time and I definitely didn’t have a fancy “home studio” that some people are privileged enough to have. It was a shanty dive of a workplace complete with pink insulation and cold cement walls closing in on me. I often referred to it as “The Dungeon”, a name first coined while working on my old band’s debut album. Anyway, I spent a large part of 2005 recording material with a full band sound but I really wasn’t satisfied with how it turned out so I scrapped all of it and began again from scratch later that year. I just didn’t have the resources to make it sound the way I wanted it to which was the main motivation for me to record what would become an almost all acoustic record. I ended up running into a lot of roadblocks in 2006 which delayed the release of the record to the end of that year. In fact, most of my vocals on “The Overture” were recorded while I was ill with pneumonia. If you listen to the reprise of “Naked” at the end of the record you can hear me coughing up a storm. I wanted to document my illness because I felt that it symbolized the hardships I endured in order to finally finish making the album, hardships which included family deaths, lost friendships, serious illnesses and grim bouts with depression. A few months later in March 2007, I entered the studio with producer Julius Butty and cranked out three new tunes. After a very long year of delays and more of those roadblocks that seem to have become commonplace for me, I’m heading back into the studio with Julius to finish things up. I’m hoping for a summer release.
What made you decide to cover Working Class Hero? It’s an amazing cover by the way.
Thanks! If I had written every lyric in that song myself, I wouldn’t have meant it any less than Lennon did. I’m a very opinionated and outspoken person in the face of injustices and I’m often left feeling jaded by how little the average person cares about the people and world around them. When I posted my cover of “Working Class Hero” on Christmas Day, I also posted a blog along with it to remind everyone to appreciate the time they have with their loved ones, the presents they receive and the food they eat because for most of the world, all of that is just a fantasy.
Do you plan on covering more songs in the future?
This wasn’t my first cover and most probably won’t be my last.
What band do you have on rotation the most on your media player?
I’m still an album guy so I listen to most of my music on CDs that I actually buy. How rare is that these days? Anyway, it’s a tie between Chiodos, Circa Survive and the new Tegan and Sara album.
Who did you listen to growing up as a kid?
Before I got into Nirvana, Green Day, Weezer and The Offspring at the age of eight or so, I used to listen to oldies from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. I was also an 80’s baby so my toddler ears ate up a lot of The Police and The Cure. I couldn’t possibly mention even half the bands that filled out my teenage years but some honorable mentions in my eclectic collection are Incubus, Thursday, The Used, 30 Seconds to Mars, Slipknot, Finch, Marilyn Manson, Dashboard Confessional and, oh, so many others.
What should our first question be for our next interviewee?
The Simpsons or Family Guy?
- Larissa Lio for auditory assault magazine
January 2008
QUESTION: In the past - and in recent months - you have performed with a variety of bands from a variety of genres. Who was your favorite band to perform with? And why?
ANSWER: Out of all of the amazing yet varying bands I have shared the stage with, including Faber Drive, ill Scarlett and even The Salads, I would have to say that Marianas Trench is one of my favourite bands to perform with. Not only are they great guys to hang out with but the response from the audience has always been both warm and exciting. At first glance, you wouldn’t think that our styles of music would mix well but somehow it works. I’ve never been interested in performing with other acoustic acts anyway but always opted for a band line-up. I don’t really feel that I jive with folk artists because I tend to come from a different background musically and my fire is often much brighter than theirs.
QUESTION: Since you've performed with bands from so many genres, do you feel any pressure since their fans are in the audience and may not listen to your type of music?
ANSWER: I have found it interesting that over the last couple of years, I have gathered myself a strong army of fans that often differ greatly from one another in terms of musical tastes and even age. I haven’t been able to put my finger on it exactly but I’d like to think that no matter what, you just can’t beat a good song. Speaking to people with true feelings and ideas that stem from a place deep within is very important to me. It’s a form of honesty we don’t see a lot of anymore. I hope to impact and move people in order to allow them to take a break from their busy lives, slow down for a moment and just experience something real. So, to answer your question, no, I don’t feel pressure because my intention is not to impress anyone, it’s to move them, and if people in an audience choose to close their heart and mind to a style of music that may not be the flavor of the month then it’s really their loss. Besides, my music isn’t for those people anyway.
QUESTION: Your work is deeply emotional and is like an insight into your innermost thoughts. How do you feel knowing that these thoughts and feelings are being shared with the world?
ANSWER: My music definitely comes from a very difficult place and, at times, it can be a little unnerving to share such personal, heart wrenching experiences with the world, not because I am embarrassed or private in my life but because, once I have released something out to the world, it’s there to stay. I write to get through certain hardships and yet, ironically, the very same method is what keeps the memory with me forever. However, I do feel that once I’ve released something out into the world, it’s no longer mine – it belongs to those who grab onto it and apply to their own lives. When my music can be used in helping someone get through a hard time in their life, which in itself is the ultimate example of turning a negative into a positive, it makes it all worthwhile for me.
QUESTION: Working as an independent performer seems very important to you. You do not have a band and you mainly represent yourself. Why is this? And do you find it a lot harder?
ANSWER: I’ve been writing songs well before my high school years and I’ve done the whole band thing only to learn that my best work seems to come out when I’m flying solo. I have a pretty clear vision of what I want out of a song but at the same time, I’m always open to try anything. That sort of clarity and freedom is almost never seen in a band setting. I do enjoy collaborating with others but I always seem to enjoy my time alone. There’s no question about whether or not it’s harder this way, because it clearly is, but I think that the gratification is greater knowing what I have achieved going at it alone.
QUESTION: I hear that you are soon to be coming out with a new EP that is said to be "the flipside of the same coin that is Euphoria's Depression", can you elaborate on this?
ANSWER: I recently teamed up with producer Julius Butty (Alexisonfire, Protest the Hero, City and Colour) with the intention to outdo my last record, take a huge step forward and, most importantly, take risks. Since, in the past, I had been playing in bands that took up most of my time and attention, I always held the inane perception that a solo project should remain acoustic and less focused on. When my “side project” started garnering more attention than any other band I’ve ever played in, I realized that was a clear indication of what I should be doing. So, I decided not to limit myself or my music anymore. What that means exactly, you’ll have to wait to find out. What I can say though is that you can expect to see some people accompany me on stage in the not-so-distant future but don’t let that cause you the least bit of confusion, I am still the only person behind Euphoria’s Depression.
QUESTION: Lastly, do you have anything to add or any shout-outs you would like to make?
ANSWER: I’ll be on tour with Hello Operator throughout Ontario and parts of Quebec for my first tour of 2008 and I am really looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and meeting some new people. After that, I should be heading out east and west and there’s a special march break tour that I haven’t announced yet. There are even plans to dip into the states for a little while, all before the summer hits. I basically plan to be on tour for most of the year or at least a large chunk of it. Your support is and always will be crucial in the success of Euphoria’s Depression and, even more importantly, will never ever go unappreciated or forgotten.
- Amy-Lynn Vautour for Through the Eyes of a Gemineye
November 2006
While a young life fraught with insomnia, death, and a lack of direction might not seem like the recipe for a pop music career, the resolve one Marcio Novelli experienced this past summer may have been the beginning of just that.
For most of his life Novelli has taken solace in music, but his relationship with his band, Article 19, had become too tenuous and his goals in general too obscured. Novelli had a revelation and decided to drop out of Mac, focus on his music and the result is the beginning of his concerted effort. Euphoria's Depression is the name he offers for his musical entity and The Overture, his new self–produced CD/EP.
"I sadly saw the end of my band near," recalls Novelli on some of the traumatic events that led up to a crisis point for the 21–year–old. "Just as I set out to start cracking down on my solo album, a death in the family slowed progress down for quite some time. This caused my anxiety and depression to increase and the sleeping problems I have had since childhood worsened to the point of insomnia. I practically stopped attending my school lectures and began to completely ignore my studies. I spent night after night obsessively focusing on the recordings, never satisfied with the outcome.
"I began to doubt my own ability and then out of nowhere, one day I had this feeling wash over me that this was what I was supposed to be doing," adds Novelli. "I felt that this was what I had to do. After my second year at McMaster ended, I decided I would not return in September. I realized that I needed to do what I know would make me happy, not what other people told me I should do." Connecting with area producer Julius Butty (Alexisonfire, Protest The Hero), Novelli was bolstered to follow through on his decision even if working with Butty wouldn't happen until 2007. So to continue his concept, a new preface to the bigger Euphoria's Depression catalogue is offered this week.
"Euphoria's Depression is the sadness behind the surface," reasons Novelli on the inspiration of the musical project. "Euphoria is personified as every person that wakes up every morning and tries their best to get through the day with a smile on their face, but goes home at night and cries themselves to sleep. Much like what is said about most who commit suicide, Euphoria is usually the person you don't expect to be chronically depressed. These songs are Euphoria's Depression. "The theme of this CD/EP is ambiguity," he adds. "I have made a conscious effort to make everything from the front cover design to the select lyrics I included in the booklet to serve as an obscurity to be later revealed. I consider the EP as a whole to be an introduction to Euphoria's Depression, to give people a taste of the ideas and concepts I have hidden up my sleeve. The first track on the EP, the front cover and album layout, the selected lyrics and the songs themselves are all an overture to what will follow."
Novelli doesn't come off as a tortured soul in person, but perhaps that's because all his angst and aguish are channelled into his music. Lyrics about longing, loss, regret and remorse, self-doubt and at times self–loathing are unending, yielding a heartfelt if not overwrought listening experience. The musical presentation in converse is logistically simple, or at least the minimalist approach offers a simple splendor.
"I wanted to deliver something that was very true to what people have been experiencing at my live shows," offers Novelli. "This minimalist approach is how I wanted to introduce Euphoria's Depression. "The lyrics are written from a very heart–on–my–sleeve and in–the–moment approach," he continues. "I don't tend to overanalyze anything because I want it to be as pure, honest and natural as possible in order to convey what I was feeling at the time I wrote it. The music is the most honest music I can possibly produce untainted by thought, criticism or influence of any kind."
Understated and raw, The Overture, released on his own Veracious Records, is meant to be a prologue for fans on an upcoming tour with Dear Jane, I... and The End Of August in November. By next year, Novelli will move to the next stage of songwriting and recording with Butty for his debut full–length. While the music seems sad, the night celebrating the music should at least be cathartic, if not happy.
"Just like the name Euphoria's Depression, the show will be a collection of opposites," predicts Novelli on the CD release party. "A friend of mine will open up the show with an acoustic set followed by three rocking bands tearing up the stage. I'll then deliver an intimate, passionate yet energetic raw acoustic performance that Euphoria's Depression has become known for."
- Ric Taylor for View Magazine
THE OPINION November 04, 2007
Marcio told me that he was extremely sick. He sure didn't sound like he was sick. He sounds like ten times better sick, than some singers do when they are perfectly healthy. What trooper eh:)? My favourite song in his set was called Better. Really mature lyrics that actually tell a story. This song also takes a very wide vocal range, which Marcio obviously has. He had a full crowd of kids watching him and singing along and cheering. One time he held a really high note then stopped playing. It was just him singing with no guitar. It was amazing! Me and my friends were standing there with our mouths open. After the song I went "Oh my god hes soooo good!" He brought it all that night. He didn't hold back at all. He's got skill and one day the whole world is going to see it!
October 28, 2007
Euphorias Depression is one guy named Marcio Novelli. All of his songs start off with enchanting guitar. As soon as you press play to listen to his cd, you will want to sit there and not move until the whole thing is done. His music and lyrics pulls you in and makes you relate to what he's saying. He connected with every person in there. After each song there would be like two minutes of screaming and applause. For one of his songs, I don't remember which one, he sung most of it without his guitar. He just pushed it over his shoulder and belted out the words. When he was singing, I had goosebumps on my arms. His music is beautiful to listen to. I finally got to hear Cerabration after months of wanting to hear it. I wasn't disapointed! He had a flawless set.
January 14, 2007
Starting out the night was Euphorias Depression, Marcio Novelli. Euphorias Depression is one guy with an aucostic or electric guitar. One thing I found weird is that everybody stood socializing while he was playing, then gave him loud cheers when he's done. Either listen, and cheer, or if you don't want to hear it go outside and talk with your friends. About the set, this guy has skills on the guitar that are above anybody I have seen. He is just one guy, but his music is so powerful and strong. Even though this is the first time I've seen him, I've listened to his songs before. He is just as amazing live as on the computer. So, I wasn't surprised when he opened his mouth and that amazing voice came out. I really liked his set. I can't wait to hear him play again.
- Heather Curtis
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