Rock musician Darius Novak announced that he will step back from touring for the first half of May, saying he wants time to rest, focus on his health and work on new material before returning to live performances. In a press release issued from Gary, Indiana, Novak said the break is intended for “self-improvement, learning, and songwriting.” According to the release, he plans to use the time to “improve his craft, check his health, and dig deep in preparation for his next songs.” Novak said in a statement that the pause follows heavy travel and is meant to help him prepare for a larger return to touring later on. “I’m taking some time to work on myself,” he said. “I need some time to rest from all the travel. I need some time to work through some improvements in my abilities too. I want the next songs and the next tour to be the biggest yet.” He also sought to reassure fans that he remains active even while off the road for several weeks. “I’ll still be around, so I don’t want fans to worry,” Novak said. “I promise the wait will be worth it.” The statement indicated that Novak intends to continue working behind the scenes during the break. He said he wants to make sure future shows are “worth your time, attention, and cash,” and described the decision as being driven by artistic goals rather than finances. “I’m not doing it for the money,” Novak said in the release. “This is about the love of the game. I love to see and feel improvement, and I love it when everyone can have a good time with me.” The announced break appears limited in scope. The press release specified that Novak is stepping away from touring only through the first half of May, not canceling his broader music plans. He said he expects to use the time both for recovery and for preparation. “I’ll also be using this time to catch up on rest and make sure I’m healthy and ready for the next round of shows,” Novak said. He added that he wants to “really dig deep and work hard” on the songs he has in progress. Novak framed the move as part of a larger effort to improve his live performances and upcoming music. “Like I said, I want the next tour to be the biggest yet, so I’m working on making that happen in every way,” he said. No further details were provided in the release about affected tour dates, venue changes or whether any performances would be rescheduled. The statement also did not outline specific health concerns, referring only to a desire to rest and “make sure” he is healthy and ready to return. Novak, 23, is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and vocalist with roots in northwestern Indiana. His biography describes a difficult early life marked by the deaths of his parents in a 2014 crash caused by a drunk driver, an event that left him hospitalized and later living with relatives near Indianapolis. The bio also says he developed his interest in rock and heavy metal as a teenager after receiving an electric guitar from family members and later pursued music instead of attending college immediately after high school. According to the same background material, Novak has continued building a music career while working toward wider recognition. The new announcement suggests that, for now, he is choosing a short pause in touring to focus on conditioning, songwriting and preparation for future performances. He closed his statement by signaling that he intends to return soon. “I’m looking forward to seeing everyone back on the road again,” Novak said. “In the meantime, stay safe, and keep rocking.”