"I kind of discovered my voice for the first time, and the more I did it, the better it got"
About this Quote
There is a particular modesty in Novoselic saying he "kind of" discovered his voice, as if the most defining shift in a musician's life happened off to the side, half by accident. That qualifier matters: it frames artistry not as destiny but as something you stumble into through repetition, trial, and the low-grade courage of doing the thing before you're good at it. Coming from a musician whose public identity is often tethered to Nirvana's mythos, the line quietly pushes against the idea that "voice" is an innate essence waiting to be revealed. It is built, not found.
The second clause is the real thesis: "the more I did it, the better it got". It's anti-romantic in the best way. No lightning bolt, no tortured genius narrative - just iteration. The intent reads like a recalibration of what authenticity means in rock culture. Instead of authenticity as raw, unfiltered self-expression, he suggests authenticity is a skill you can develop: you practice until your choices start sounding like you.
The subtext also carries a hint of liberation. Finding your voice isn't only about technique; it's about permission - to take up space, to be heard, to stop hiding behind louder personalities or established roles. In the context of a scene that prized spontaneity and disdain for polish, Novoselic's statement is almost radical: craft isn't selling out. It's how you become legible to yourself and, eventually, to everyone else.
The second clause is the real thesis: "the more I did it, the better it got". It's anti-romantic in the best way. No lightning bolt, no tortured genius narrative - just iteration. The intent reads like a recalibration of what authenticity means in rock culture. Instead of authenticity as raw, unfiltered self-expression, he suggests authenticity is a skill you can develop: you practice until your choices start sounding like you.
The subtext also carries a hint of liberation. Finding your voice isn't only about technique; it's about permission - to take up space, to be heard, to stop hiding behind louder personalities or established roles. In the context of a scene that prized spontaneity and disdain for polish, Novoselic's statement is almost radical: craft isn't selling out. It's how you become legible to yourself and, eventually, to everyone else.
Quote Details
| Topic | Confidence |
|---|---|
| Source | Help us find the source |
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