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.”
Babylon
Novae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Put on the noose
Forbid abortion
Condone extortion
Through blood & war
Bomb the innocent
Acid reign pours
Exercise authority,
the power that's been stored in me
is seen as a deformity
when I step out of normalcy
Calculate the cuts of Calcutta
from the ports to sea
Babylon is standing so high
Let's destroy and rebuild
Pandemonium plagues the streets I'm from
Speak with my ears
Hear with my eyes
Question the truth
See through the lies
I bleed when I breathe
Cause my heart is a seed
Constantly growing
New branches & Leaves
Pandemonium plagues the streets I'm from
No reason to be personable
We have the internet
Anti-social social creatures
Crawling spiders through the web
What even is a human?
Something that consumes & uses
Fuming fueling their existence
What we are is in our heads
The lyrics to Novae's song "Babylon" touch upon various themes, primarily criticizing the state of society and questioning the actions of those in power. The opening lines, "Turn on the news, Put on the noose," suggest a feeling of being trapped or suffocated by the constant bombardment of negative information and media. It symbolically represents the emotional and mental strain caused by the current state of affairs.
The next lines, "Forbid abortion, Condone extortion, Through blood & war," address controversial issues where those in authority often make decisions that seem contradictory or unjust. It speaks to the hypocrisy of a society that claims to value life but allows war and injustice to prevail. The imagery of "Bomb the innocent, Extravagant sin, Acid reign pours" further highlights the destructive nature of these actions and the suffering they cause.
The following lines, "Exercise authority, the power that's been stored in me is seen as a deformity when I step out of normalcy," explore the struggle of individuals who feel suppressed or judged for challenging societal norms and authority. It emphasizes the discomfort and ostracization that comes with stepping outside the boundaries of what is considered acceptable.
The song then shifts to a more personal perspective, talking about the chaotic environment the artist comes from - "Pandemonium plagues the streets I'm from." It expresses a sense of unrest and disarray, mirroring the societal issues previously discussed.
The lines "Speak with my ears, Hear with my eyes, Question the truth, See through the lies" convey a desire to seek the truth beyond what is superficial or easily comprehensible. It encourages critical thinking and questioning of the information presented.
The last verse, "I bleed when I breathe, Cause my heart is a seed, Constantly growing, New branches & Leaves," symbolizes resilience and growth in the face of adversity. It suggests that despite the chaos and injustice, there is still a capacity for personal development and positive change.
Overall, "Babylon" is a song that critiques societal norms, challenges authority, and promotes introspection and personal growth.
Line by Line Meaning
Turn on the news
Seek out information from media sources
Put on the noose
Embrace negativity and self-destruction
Forbid abortion
Restrict a woman's choice in reproductive rights
Condone extortion
Accept and support illegal methods of obtaining resources
Through blood & war
Achieve goals through violent means
Bomb the innocent
Deliberately harm innocent people
Extravagant sin
Committing immoral acts in a lavish and excessive manner
Acid reign pours
Destructive and harmful actions have widespread impact
Exercise authority,
Assert control and power
the power that's been stored in me
The personal potential and influence that I possess
is seen as a deformity
Others perceive it as abnormal or undesirable
when I step out of normalcy
When I deviate from societal conventions and expectations
Calculate the cuts of Calcutta
Analyze and understand the consequences of actions
from the ports to sea
Taking into account the entire scope and impact
Babylon is standing so high
The existing oppressive system is prominent and influential
Let's destroy and rebuild
Advocate for dismantling the current structure and starting anew
Pandemonium plagues the streets I'm from
Chaos and disorder are prevalent in the area I come from
Speak with my ears
Listen attentively and comprehend
Hear with my eyes
Perceive beyond what is verbally expressed
Question the truth
Challenge and doubt established beliefs and narratives
See through the lies
Recognize and understand deception
I bleed when I breathe
Suffer and feel pain with each breath
Cause my heart is a seed
Because my emotions and desires are continuously growing
Constantly growing
Continually expanding and evolving
New branches & leaves
Fresh opportunities and possibilities
No reason to be personable
No motivation to be sociable and friendly
We have the internet
We possess the digital network for communication and information
Anti-social social creatures
Individuals who avoid physical interaction but engage online
Crawling spiders through the web
Navigating and lurking through online platforms
What even is a human?
Questioning the essence and nature of humanity
Something that consumes & uses
Beings that take in resources and exploit them
Fuming fueling their existence
Burning and feeding their purpose and survival
What we are is in our heads
Our identity and essence reside within our minds
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Koral Robustelli
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind