While Lisa Novak spends days cutting hair at her salon in Houston, the rest of her life is devoted to making music. The singer-songwriter and guitarist has recorded four albums of country- and folk-tinged rock, the most recent being 2012's Can't Go Back. Local music fans will recognize her as a member of her fiancé Rich Hopkins' band, the Luminarios, who play Friday, Jan. 4, at Club Congress, 311 E. Congress St. Admission is $5. Doors open at 7 p.m.
What was the first concert you attended?
Dan Fogelberg with my older sister at the Houston Music Hall.
What are you listening to these days?
The Gosdin Brothers, the Mastersons, Luna. Old Fleetwood Mac is perfect on the road trips from Tucson to Houston.
What was the first album you owned?
My older brother gave me Lynyrd Skynyrd's Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd for my 13th birthday.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone seem to love, but you just don't get?
Not naming names—white women who try to sing like the great black artists, or artists who have to have dancers and shows instead of just listening to their music.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
The Rolling Stones in the '70s. I saw a great documentary, Crossfire Hurricane, recently on HBO and had no idea their shows were so crazy.
Musically speaking, what is your favorite guilty pleasure?
Anything that Rich pulls out of his vinyl collection when he plays DJ for me. It ranges from old Jefferson Airplane to Bread to totally uncool one-hit wonders.
What song would you like to have played at your funeral?
"Secure Yourself" by the Indigo Girls.
What band or artist changed your life, and how?
Melissa Etheridge and her song "Bring Me Some Water." I had just started to write music and was inspired by her grit. Also, Rich Hopkins, because although I had my own band, the playing, writing and touring with him definitely has expanded me musically.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Mystery to Me by Fleetwood Mac.
