Nova Charisma Interview

Words and photography by Jon Reino

     After forming in early 2019, Nova Charisma quickly began making waves in the alternative music scene. The post-hardcore duo consists of Donovan Melero of Hail The Sun and Sergio Medina, formerly of Stolas. "We met in 2010 at a Zia Records show Hail The Sun was playing on a DIY tour," says Medina. Together they made up 2/5th's of post-hardcore supergroup Sianvar, featuring Will Swan of Dance Gavin Dance and Michael Littlefield of A Lot Birds. He continues, "Donny wondered what kind of music him and I would write with the two of us at the helm. Around seven years later, after [Sianvar] broke up, we were finally able to give that vision a shot. With Sianvar, we'd all write together in a room. It was usually 4 or all 5 of us together. That worked really well for Sianvar, since most of us knew when to contribute or sit back when necessary. With Nova, it's just less cooks in the kitchen- it works really well, thankfully."
     "We have always enjoyed the musical chemistry we shared, so it was a no brainer to continue doing it in the form of Nova Charisma," says Melero. "It's also easier to make decisions outside of writing when it's only the two of us." Nova Charisma  released their first EP, "Exposition I", on August 22nd, 2019, soon followed by "Exposition II" on December 6th. 

     "I started [playing guitar] when I was 9 years old," recalls Sergio, "but I didn't really start taking it seriously until 12 when I started taking lessons. My early influences as Jimmy Page, Angus Young, Paco De Lucia, but slowly evolved from flashy guitar playing to how one uses the guitar in a unique way. Using pedals and tones to accentuate one's playing. I would say that sentiment is the same in the process of writing  Nova Charisma  vs my other bands. My other bands showcase the flashy guitar player in me, while with  Nova  I'm trying to focus on song structure, sonically unique guitar playing while maintaining the parts simple. Not leaning on technically proficient playing." 
     Nova Charisma marks a departure from both artist's typical styles, while keeping a sound that remains unmistakable. Heavy yet reserved, technical yet modest. An accessible and almost pop vibe from two of progressive music's finest minds.
     "The music that has been created so far has felt different than my other bands, so I'm naturally inclined to write accordingly," says Donovan. "I try my best not to overthink it, which is easier said than done at times. I have a way that I write that works, with anything I'm involved with. When I let the process take hold organically, I feel like I get the best product. A more tangible difference is I am writing and recording bass guitar in Nova Charisma. I've played and written bass for over a decade now, so fully diving into that role has been different."

     "My life with active addiction feels like a whole lifetime ago, and I have experienced so much since then, both related and unrelated to substance abuse. With Nova Charisma writing, it hasn't felt as prevalent, although a point could be made that it's led to everything I am and therefore write today. The best advice I could give to someone struggling with [substance abuse and mental health] issues is to reach out for help. Don't take on those demons alone."
​- Donovan Melero

     In December 2019, the band hit the road to bring their sound to the live stage for the first time, including a stop in Brooklyn, NY at Elsewhere on 12/20. But to do that they would need some help. "Putting together the live show was a wonderful experience," Sergio describes. "A lot of the music came together in ProTools sessions. We didn't get to hear them live for ourselves until the full  Nova  live group got together and filled in all the spaces. All of the people in our live band are great friends of ours. That includes Carlo Marquez, who drums on all of the  Nova Charisma  music and writes with us as well." The live band also features Aric Garcia of  Hail the Sun  on bass and Joe Occhiuti of  Ice Nine Kills  on keyboards.
     "The first shows were a testament to the path that led us to  Nova Charisma," says Donovan. "The support of this new project in its infancy stage is humbling. It seems that the songs have connected with others. This is everything we had hoped for, because the songs connected with us."
     According to Donovan, Nova Charisma  has no intention of slowing down. "We have a performance in London coming up this month, on January 17th. After that we intend on continuing to write for a full length record, and releasing "Exposition III" in the mean time. We are hoping to tour the US and UK/Europe at some point in 2020."
     Expositions I and II are both available online now via Equal Vision Records, "Exposition II" is also available on vinyl in their online store as well. Follow them on social media at the links below, and please enjoy their latest single, "Gemini".

www.novacharisma.com
www.facebook.com/NovaCharisma
Instagram @novacharisma
Twitter @thenovacharisma