A-Z with CHIARA NOVA
26 letters — 26 questions
Join me in getting to know the rising pop artist Chiara Nova and her latest release, Seasons Changing — a collaboration with Grammy-nominated Jonas Westling. This new song is “an anthem of hope to all the dreamers” that’ll bless your ears and soul.
“A Rising Pop Artist” – Wonderland Magazine
“Chiara has a presence on stage and aesthetic that captivated me completely, a very strong vocalist” – Vianney (Call on Me feat. Ed Sheeran)
“Totally hooked, can’t get this artist out of my head!” – Martyn Ware (Heaven 17)
I had the pleasure of interviewing the exceptionally talented British-Italian pop artist and powerful vocalist Chiara Nova after the long-awaited release of her song “Seasons Changing” on Friday, March 15th, 2024. This new track is deeply personal to the artist, as it delves into themes of self-reflection and reconnecting with one’s younger self.
Chiara’s music is characterized by a blend of indie-pop sounds and soulful vocals, which gives her music a timeless quality. “Seasons Changing” is a profoundly relatable anthem, and its synthesized soundscapes, potent drumbeats, and poignant storytelling lyrics evoke a nostalgic atmosphere, emphasizing the importance of understanding one’s identity and navigating childhood expectations.
We talked over a bowl of homemade sugar-lemon strawberries about chasing dreams, hustling hard, and never taking no for an answer. Read more about the artist below.
“After all, each of us was once a wide-eyed child with big dreams of our own.”
— Chiara Nova
Chiara grew up singing in a choir and was later influenced by famous artists such as Lady Gaga, Jessie Ware, and Maggie Rogers. Her love for pop and soul music quickly developed, and she began writing her songs at a young age.
The artist provided her vocals for the track “Somebody to Love” by DJ duo MOLOW. The song has been streamed over 10 million times. She is currently engaged in regular songwriting sessions and working with Jonas Westling, a Grammy-nominated mixing engineer who has worked with artists like Lady Gaga and Paul McCartney for her upcoming releases.
Chiara’s performance video went viral on TikTok, garnering over 1.6 million views and 250k+ likes. Her debut single, “Bitter Heart,” released in 2023, received support from Wonderland Magazine and digital radio stations. The Grammy-winning producer Dave Audé selected her song for his latest remix project. Chiara has played packed shows at The Sebright Arms, Paper Dress Vintage, and The Troubadour and has more shows scheduled in 2024.
The Voice France scouted Chiara, and her most recent single release caught the attention of Jamal Edwards’ (Ed Sheeran, SBTV) emerging talent discovery platform ONE2 1TWO, making Chiara Nova a rising star to watch.
“I want to create something epic and bold, something people wouldn’t dare to be because of social constructs. With my music, I hope to embark on a shared journey with my listeners, a voyage of self-expression where vulnerability is celebrated, and emotions are cherished.”
— Chiara Nova
What do you consider your greatest ACCOMPLISHMENT?
“Probably my sold-out show at The Troubadour this year. That was special. A real full-circle moment for me as I watched shows there as a teenager and always wanted to play.”
What’s on your BUCKET list you’re yet to tick off?
“Performing at Glastonbury Festival!”
How do you channel CREATIVITY?
“For some reason, it has to be the evenings. For lyrics, I have to be on the move: a car, a train, a plane. There needs to be a movement for me to write lyrics. I usually need to be in my bedroom at night for melodies.”
What’s your biggest DREAM?
“To completely live off my music and perhaps move cultures. If I can somehow bring hope and peace, something that will unite people through my music, then I want to do that.”
What word sums up this new ERA of Chiara Nova?
“Retrospection.”
What’s a challenge you’ve had to FACE recently?
“Finding the right balance between creation and promotion as an independent artist. I want to ensure I don’t spend more time on social media promoting my music than writing music.”
What (or who) are you GRATEFUL for?
“I’m very grateful for my dear friend and manager, Charlie. He has been helping me get my music out since Bitter Heart; we work tightly together, from accompanying me to the studio to blowing wind in my hair at shoots, brainstorming campaigns, and scheduling releases together, constantly bouncing ideas off each other at any time of the day (and night!), he’s just great.
How have you GROWN over the years?
“I think I’ve become more patient and kinder to myself. I’ve always been very hard on myself, but lately, I’d like to think I’ve become kinder to myself.”
What are some things that make you HAPPY?
“Being on stage! Experiencing people feeling my music live, nothing makes me happier.”
Who INSPIRES you most in life?
*Chiara tearing up*
“My brother Davide inspires me very much. He is a professional ballet dancer and left home to go to the States as a teenager to follow his dreams, and he’s smashing it.”
What’s been the biggest lesson in the JOURNEY so far?
“To learn to trust myself and my creativity.”
What do you want to be KNOWN for in 2024?
“I’d love to be known for writing ‘Seasons Changing,’ but I also would love to be remembered as that girl who inspired joy and fearless living through her music.”
What’s special about LONDON?
“I think it’s crazy how much people love London despite the bad weather. There’s rarely any sunshine, there’s no seaside, yet we people love it! That’s the magic of it. There’s something in the air. I think the music scene is a huge part of it. I started doing open mic nights when I was 15 in London, and this city felt so welcoming and exciting, embracing arts to the fullest.”
MOMENT you’re most proud of?
“Honestly, I think putting music out. It’s a part of you that you’re leaving out into the world, not just logistically but emotionally; I think it takes courage.”
What are you NOSTALGIC for?
“I miss how much slower time used to feel, like inserting CDs in a player and waiting for that first song to play or lingering for photos to develop. Funnily, I initially titled Seasons Changing ‘Hourglass,’ which recalls this new fast life suddenly hitting hard and a feeling of running out of time.”
What makes you and your music ORIGINAL?
“I was originally trained in opera, and that foundation influenced my singing style to some extent. My writing leans very much towards pop, but it’s rooted in soul. I have a deep passion for Motown and gospel music; it’s my heart and soul. I think the mix of all these musical experiences perhaps makes my music original.”
What are you PASSIONATE about?
“I’m passionate about anything that will move something inside me. Whether it’s music that makes me want to dance or cry, a film that evokes strong emotions, or even a painting or photograph that captivates my attention, as long as it resonates with me on a deeper level, I’m drawn to it.”
What would you say is your best QUALITY?
“I don’t give up easily!”
Who would you RECRUIT if you were to start a girl band?
“Gaga all the way.”
Who have you been STARSTRUCK by?
“I saw Celine Dion live. I could have fainted. I am obsessed.”
What would you do differently if you could turn back TIME?
“I would release music sooner. Being too much of a perfectionist stopped me from doing that.”
What’s something UNIQUE about Seasons Changing?
“It’s the most personal song I’ve ever written, yet it seems it has a universal appeal.”
What would be your dream VENUE?
“Performing one day at Wembley Stadium is a long-standing teenage dream of mine, and it’s still high up there on my bucket list. I’m a huge fan of Queen and their 1985 Under Pressure performance at Wembley, and I guess I just became obsessed with this stadium ever since.”
What WORDS do you live by?
“Honesty, passion, and discipline.”
What’s something you couldn’t X-IST without?
“My piano!”
What advice would you give your YOUNGER self?
“It’s funny you’re asking because I care more now about what others think of me. I wish I could talk with my younger self and reclaim some of that boldness and bravery. It’s like I need to take advice from my younger self, not the other way around. And that’s what Seasons Changing is about.”
What do you have ZERO time for?
“Time wasters. When people give criticism without being constructive, I’m not interested.”
Chiara Nova – Seasons Changing – LISTEN/DOWNLOAD HERE
Genre: Pop, Indie
Live Dates
19.04.23 Sebright Arms, London
10.05.23 Piano Smithfield, London
07.06.23 Paper Dress Vintage, London
22.07.23 Signature Brew, London
09.09.23 The Troubadour, London
21.11.23 The Star in Shoreditch, London
03.02.24 The Troubadour, London
14/06/24 The Troubadour, London
More to be announced