Novachild - Electronic Musician, Producer, VJ, Podcaster
Press / Reviews
Review/Guided Tour of "Havia" - by Angela Hail
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Angela Hail is a lady of impeccable musical taste. She’s also a writer, blogger, and friend. Here’s what she has to say about the new album (and yes, I’m still blushing).
ALBUM REVIEW & GUIDED TOUR - Novachild “Havia” - 11/29/11- by Angela Hail
I have been wandering through the varied terrain of Havia, the 7th studio album of musical artist Novachild, for the past several days. This vast, sweeping vision of ambient electronica is easy to get lost in, and difficult to leave. The artist describes this latest work as “the soundtrack of an imaginary place.” It certainly is that. A land of inspiration and yearning and adventure. I'd like to give you a guided tour.
The album kicks off with “Analog Revolutionary,” a soaring testimony to all that is true and pure and fulfilling about being alive. This is the prize at the end of a journey, hard won and well fought. It is also the hope and adrenaline of a journey's beginning--that moment when you are about to step off the cliff to see if you can really fly. It is the moment of enlightenment and of connection to something greater . . . something larger and more real than anything you have ever experienced. And when you finally let go, you find that you are weightless.
Havia then sweeps you off into “The Grand Stream,” which feels immediately like stepping into a gladiator's circle. This is where the story truly takes off, where the plot gets laid and the substance, the risk, is first realized. If this album were the story of an uprising, “Analog Revolutionary” would be the beginning spark of a revolutionary idea. “The Grand Stream,” then, would be the revolution itself. With huge swells of crowd chanting and pulsing rhythms along with an undercurrent of danger, you know just where you are. You've become a part of the flow, a part of the Grand Stream, and there is no turning back.
“Kiss that Baby,” a little more fun and a little more chill, takes you to a place where perhaps you meet the master, the timeless one, who is at once beautifully, perfectly young and inconceivably old. This is one who will give you the knowledge you need to reach the next stage. You listen. You pay attention in a way you don't think you ever have before. Something in this moment is vital and you don't want to miss a single beat.
The master then takes you through the next track, a place known as “Ice Cold,” where your new-found knowledge and skills are tested. Questions are asked and answered. The challenge is laid before you, with everything at stake.
And then you come, utterly alone, to “Cultivate the Void”--a dark, rhythmic masterpiece that feels at once heart-thumpingly primal, with its hand drums and otherworldly female voice (both urging and questioning, for what you do not know), juxtaposed against the supreme refinement of a jazzy horn section which transports you to a glittering ballroom complete with mambo dancers and laughing guests drunk on fine wine. “Cultivate the Void” is the most complicated of dreams. And as you awake in a fever-sweat, plagued by strange, disconnected images, you know it may be the most significant moment of your entire quest.
The next track, “Sleepytime,” is the sound of peace and reassurance. All is not yet lost, young one. There is still hope. It is a flying unicorn of a tune, and yet it brings you back down to earth, to the womb, where you are loved and protected in a haven of soft light and sound.
Finally, in the cyclic nature of all good stories, Havia ends with “Our Pleasant Moments Fly,” a tune that completes the journey by patting you on the back and then handing you your next mission. The village has been saved, you've won the battle, but the greater war rages on. It is time for your next great adventure. And, if you play this album on repeat, as I've been doing, “Our Pleasant Moments Fly” flows back into “Analog Revolutionary”--back to the beginning . . . and the end . . . and the beginning.
This is your imagination on Novachild. Any questions?
COUPON CODE FOR 30% OFF HAVIA (good through 11/30/11): 30percent
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Novachild on iTunes
Novachild on Amazon
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Novachild on ReverbNation
ALBUM REVIEW & GUIDED TOUR - Novachild “Havia” - 11/29/11- by Angela Hail
I have been wandering through the varied terrain of Havia, the 7th studio album of musical artist Novachild, for the past several days. This vast, sweeping vision of ambient electronica is easy to get lost in, and difficult to leave. The artist describes this latest work as “the soundtrack of an imaginary place.” It certainly is that. A land of inspiration and yearning and adventure. I'd like to give you a guided tour.
The album kicks off with “Analog Revolutionary,” a soaring testimony to all that is true and pure and fulfilling about being alive. This is the prize at the end of a journey, hard won and well fought. It is also the hope and adrenaline of a journey's beginning--that moment when you are about to step off the cliff to see if you can really fly. It is the moment of enlightenment and of connection to something greater . . . something larger and more real than anything you have ever experienced. And when you finally let go, you find that you are weightless.
Havia then sweeps you off into “The Grand Stream,” which feels immediately like stepping into a gladiator's circle. This is where the story truly takes off, where the plot gets laid and the substance, the risk, is first realized. If this album were the story of an uprising, “Analog Revolutionary” would be the beginning spark of a revolutionary idea. “The Grand Stream,” then, would be the revolution itself. With huge swells of crowd chanting and pulsing rhythms along with an undercurrent of danger, you know just where you are. You've become a part of the flow, a part of the Grand Stream, and there is no turning back.
“Kiss that Baby,” a little more fun and a little more chill, takes you to a place where perhaps you meet the master, the timeless one, who is at once beautifully, perfectly young and inconceivably old. This is one who will give you the knowledge you need to reach the next stage. You listen. You pay attention in a way you don't think you ever have before. Something in this moment is vital and you don't want to miss a single beat.
The master then takes you through the next track, a place known as “Ice Cold,” where your new-found knowledge and skills are tested. Questions are asked and answered. The challenge is laid before you, with everything at stake.
And then you come, utterly alone, to “Cultivate the Void”--a dark, rhythmic masterpiece that feels at once heart-thumpingly primal, with its hand drums and otherworldly female voice (both urging and questioning, for what you do not know), juxtaposed against the supreme refinement of a jazzy horn section which transports you to a glittering ballroom complete with mambo dancers and laughing guests drunk on fine wine. “Cultivate the Void” is the most complicated of dreams. And as you awake in a fever-sweat, plagued by strange, disconnected images, you know it may be the most significant moment of your entire quest.
The next track, “Sleepytime,” is the sound of peace and reassurance. All is not yet lost, young one. There is still hope. It is a flying unicorn of a tune, and yet it brings you back down to earth, to the womb, where you are loved and protected in a haven of soft light and sound.
Finally, in the cyclic nature of all good stories, Havia ends with “Our Pleasant Moments Fly,” a tune that completes the journey by patting you on the back and then handing you your next mission. The village has been saved, you've won the battle, but the greater war rages on. It is time for your next great adventure. And, if you play this album on repeat, as I've been doing, “Our Pleasant Moments Fly” flows back into “Analog Revolutionary”--back to the beginning . . . and the end . . . and the beginning.
This is your imagination on Novachild. Any questions?
COUPON CODE FOR 30% OFF HAVIA (good through 11/30/11): 30percent
Share This Story on Facebook
Novachild on iTunes
Novachild on Amazon
Novachild on Twitter
Novachild on Facebook
Novachild on Bandcamp
Novachild on ReverbNation
Novachild Album "Havia" Reviewed by DarkKitty
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Dana, aka “DarkKitty, the Sadistic Minx,” is variety performer, optical illusionist, and event promoter in Tulsa, OK. She is also a Model/Spokeswoman at Fatman Concepts Photography. She is the face and voice of the company, as well as providing makeup, costuming and posing.
I had the pleasure of assisting DarkKitty Productions with helping to facilitate a Red Cross Benefit show. “Red Cross Rocks,” held in the summer of 2010 at Club Utopia in Tulsa, OK, was an inspiring and successful event with a lot of hard work and passion put behind it. My band, “The Living Machines,” also managed to squeeze in a set. :)
Earlier today, I asked her what she thought of my new album, and this is what she wrote.
Review of Novachild’s 2011 album “Havia”
by Dayna VanHauen, “DarkKitty” of DarkKitty Productions
11/22/2011
When you think of the name Novachild, what is the first thing that comes to your mind?
Try separating the two words that complete the name and you get; “Nova”: Plural Novae or novas. A white dwarf star that suddenly and temporarily becomes extremely bright as a result of the explosion at its sun of material accreted from an expanding companion star. Next the word, “child”: a youth of gentle birth. Both perfectly matching to a tee description of the artist, Bruce Rich aka Novachild.
Every composition I have heard of his was a pure burst of brilliance in my ear drums that had a huge impact on my inner youth. I had the pleasure of listening to Novachild in the past, and I have always become easily lost in his compositions. The blends of ambient sounds and waves of many instruments help guide you into an entire new world far better than the everyday one.
As most of his music reminds me of a score from a life inspired movie, certain songs always stood out to me more than others. A perfect example is the song “Analogue Revolutionary”. This song is definitely a song I’d like to blast through the speakers in my car as I drive a long winding road. The many sounds that come together in a multitude of percussion and the electronic patterns is perfect for soothing the soul and guiding you through another dimension. The music promotes carefree thought.
Another song that stood out to me was the song “Kiss That Baby”. Knowing that Novachild is a relatively new father of a beautiful baby, I felt the strong love he has for his bundle of joy come through his talents. The distant sounds of babies natural cooing and giggling took me right back to the days that my very own bundle was in infant stage. The playful electronic tone and robotic chants of baby kissing that carried through the song that took me back a couple of years to when I was looking down into the sparkling eyes of my offspring.
Last but not least, the next song that stood out was “Our Pleasant Moments Fly”. I really can’t even explain why this song stood out to me. Perhaps, the genius jazzy influence that roared together, or perhaps it was a message subliminally implanted into my brain. Either way, the song was sensational!
Novachild is one artist that I look forward to every album that is released. Each album just gets better and better. I highly recommend this artist to anyone who enjoys tracks of pure relaxation, message and inspiration.
~Darkkitty Productions~
Novachild on iTunes
Novachild on Amazon
Novachild on Twitter
Novachild on Facebook
Novachild on Bandcamp
Novachild on ReverbNation
I had the pleasure of assisting DarkKitty Productions with helping to facilitate a Red Cross Benefit show. “Red Cross Rocks,” held in the summer of 2010 at Club Utopia in Tulsa, OK, was an inspiring and successful event with a lot of hard work and passion put behind it. My band, “The Living Machines,” also managed to squeeze in a set. :)
Earlier today, I asked her what she thought of my new album, and this is what she wrote.
Review of Novachild’s 2011 album “Havia”
by Dayna VanHauen, “DarkKitty” of DarkKitty Productions
11/22/2011
When you think of the name Novachild, what is the first thing that comes to your mind?
Try separating the two words that complete the name and you get; “Nova”: Plural Novae or novas. A white dwarf star that suddenly and temporarily becomes extremely bright as a result of the explosion at its sun of material accreted from an expanding companion star. Next the word, “child”: a youth of gentle birth. Both perfectly matching to a tee description of the artist, Bruce Rich aka Novachild.
Every composition I have heard of his was a pure burst of brilliance in my ear drums that had a huge impact on my inner youth. I had the pleasure of listening to Novachild in the past, and I have always become easily lost in his compositions. The blends of ambient sounds and waves of many instruments help guide you into an entire new world far better than the everyday one.
As most of his music reminds me of a score from a life inspired movie, certain songs always stood out to me more than others. A perfect example is the song “Analogue Revolutionary”. This song is definitely a song I’d like to blast through the speakers in my car as I drive a long winding road. The many sounds that come together in a multitude of percussion and the electronic patterns is perfect for soothing the soul and guiding you through another dimension. The music promotes carefree thought.
Another song that stood out to me was the song “Kiss That Baby”. Knowing that Novachild is a relatively new father of a beautiful baby, I felt the strong love he has for his bundle of joy come through his talents. The distant sounds of babies natural cooing and giggling took me right back to the days that my very own bundle was in infant stage. The playful electronic tone and robotic chants of baby kissing that carried through the song that took me back a couple of years to when I was looking down into the sparkling eyes of my offspring.
Last but not least, the next song that stood out was “Our Pleasant Moments Fly”. I really can’t even explain why this song stood out to me. Perhaps, the genius jazzy influence that roared together, or perhaps it was a message subliminally implanted into my brain. Either way, the song was sensational!
Novachild is one artist that I look forward to every album that is released. Each album just gets better and better. I highly recommend this artist to anyone who enjoys tracks of pure relaxation, message and inspiration.
~Darkkitty Productions~
Novachild on iTunes
Novachild on Amazon
Novachild on Twitter
Novachild on Facebook
Novachild on Bandcamp
Novachild on ReverbNation