Digging into the musical influences of singer/keyboardist/songwriter Rich Genoval and guitarist/songwriter Mark Scandariato, the driving forces behind emerging New Jersey based Pop, Rock and Soul band Novae, one finds a unique and special musical convergence.

Novae’s new six song EP Novae: One, produced by multi-platinum producer Anthony J. Resta (Elton John, Collective Soul, Duran Duran, Perry Ferrell Blondie, Megadeth, etc.) is an amalgamation of classic - and modern - musical and songwriting elements. Songs about personal crossroads and love’s uncertainties are beautifully captured by Resta and Grammy-Nominated Engineer Karyadi Sutedja, through a plethora of vintage recording gear, with contemporary and even orchestral arrangements at Resta’s Boston-based Bopnique Studio.

Growing up in urban Newark NJ, Novae frontman and singer Rich Genoval loved the silky classic sounds of Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder and Al Green as much as the more contemporary harmonic sounds of BoyzIIMen, and the pop/rock energy of Guns N’ Roses. After scoring several domestic accomplishments, including singing the national anthem at Madison Square Garden and Prudential Center sporting events, Genoval began searching for an extra edge to add to his material. He suddenly found himself acquainted with Mark Scandariato via bandmix.com.

Guitarist Mark Scandariato is a music business veteran. As a touring and studio musician for indie and major label artists, Mark has collaborated and toured with artists such as Bob Dylan, Kenny Aronoff, The Spin Doctors, Hootie & The Blowfish, Charlie Sexton, Lisa Loeb, and many more. “Genoval’s style was really on the opposite spectrum of what I would have normally gravitated to musically, but something about the voice, and those songs just drew me in and we realized instantly that in combining these two almost opposite styles, we had captured lightning in a bottle”.

Rounding off their line-up with respected local musicians bassist Jim Arra and drummer Kevin Hill, Novae have been gigging frequently at NYC hotspots such as The Bitter End, as well as at familiar NJ haunts such as the Starland Ballroom. [Novae’s studio drummer for the EP was the famed British drummer Dave Mattacks (Paul McCartney, Jimmy Page, Elton John, George Harrison, Joan Armatrading, Brian Eno, The Proclaimers, etc.)]

On Novae’s songwriting approach, Genoval says, “We like to tell stories with meaning. I really miss that classic Old-School storytelling type of songwriting.. It’s about finding that middle ground between the energetic Rock front men I admire, and the R&B crooners that I love. It’s everyone’s favorite music all in one unique project. I feel that we’ve harnessed a sound that’s wholly original, yet comfortably familiar. I like to call it ‘poetic pop’”.

As thrilling as it was working with such talented people during the making of their EP, Novae thrives on the energy they try to project during their live shows. “Just when you think you’ve gotten to know us by the CD…you’ll come to the show, and we’ll pin you to your seat, that’s what it’s all about for me. Writing a great song that people will respond to is of course a challenge, and a goal that we hope to perfect as we grow as artists”, says Scandariato. “When fans shake our hands at shows and say they understand where we’re coming from, that they can relate to us, that’s a wonderful gift.”
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