Nova Nova

Biography

Nova Nova originated in 1992, making the band one of the pioneers of the French electronic musical scene. They were first signed on the mythical and now defunct Rave Age imprint, the first ever French techno label, and have been one of the best known electronic live acts in France, with performances at the Rex and the Transmusicales de Rennes in 1994. Their first ep, « Metaphysic ? » comes out in july 94 on F Communications and introduces their house rich in melodies and emotions. From that ti...

Nova Nova originated in 1992, making the band one of the pioneers of the French electronic musical scene. They were first signed on the mythical and now defunct Rave Age imprint, the first ever French techno label, and have been one of the best known electronic live acts in France, with performances at the Rex and the Transmusicales de Rennes in 1994.

Their first ep, « Metaphysic ? » comes out in july 94 on F Communications and introduces their house rich in melodies and emotions. From that time on, Nova Nova’s purpose is to fill a gap in the electronic production by introducing a « classical » sense in their work, trying to make compositions that respect the harmonic rules of the other styles of music.

In May 1995, « Zarathoustra », their first mini-album foreshadows a medieval and Celtic inspiration with a track like « Nova Cantica » as well as initiated a shift towards a more moody kind of music with sensual and mellow sequences. But rather than "ambiant", Nova Nova prefer the notion of spleen to describe their music, between ecstasy and melancoly, where sadness is present but hope prevailing. Spleen and ideal ?

March 1996 sees the release of « Ex-ep », which Nova Nova consider as their best work to date. For the first time, accoustic instruments appear, such as a piano giving tracks likes « Tones » or « See » enough meaning to bypass the use of electronic instruments.

Originally, Nova Nova is Marc Durif and Michel Gravil, who meet while at school in Nice in the south of France. Michel then moves to Rennes (Brittany) to study philosophy, while Marc enters the conservatory in Nice.

As a classic styled pianist - in a rather self taught manner, Marc Durif likes to jump from Chopin or Bach's pieces to Chic's hits. He composes in a different manner, using synth, samplers and sequencers, especially after attending a few "Pyramids "performances in Nice(1990). The reunion with Michel, his former high school buddy, after five years, will be tense yet musically flourishing, as the two men's influences are radically opposed : Michel, a guitar player influenced by rock and an electro enthusiast will confess he liked "Sexual Healing " by M. Gaye. Same with Marc with the first "Cure" for instance.

Which of the two is more open ?we do not know But as time passes , the old reflexes of self preservation and conservation emerging, openness remains the point , in order to accept their mutual differences and each other's universe. A move happens in 1997, when they meet Elisa Carrahar, an English girl from Bristol ? who start to work with them, writting lyrics and singing on « Bewildered », the track they put out on F Communications « Megasoft Office 97 » compilation.

The collaboration continues on « La chanson de Roland » their first album. The title is a reference to an old french sung tale from the Middle Ages, as well as a reference to the synthetiser manufacturer. It evocates the balance between « real » songs and instrumental pieces on their album. « La chanson de Roland » is also about the contrast between the need for modernity and the reference to the past constant in their work.

Yet they had to come to a separation. Michel continues his music with Elisa,and Marc composes alone and signs some of the new tracks which appears on the new release(half best-of -half album)coming out on January 2004.From that time, Michel distanced himself from music, turning his art towards literature and poetry, allowing Marc to pursue his musical dreams with Novanova… toward other Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.