{"id":31535,"date":"2017-11-27T09:20:51","date_gmt":"2017-11-27T09:20:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/?p=31535"},"modified":"2017-11-27T09:20:51","modified_gmt":"2017-11-27T09:20:51","slug":"31535stockholm-based-dream-pop-band-novah-talk-new-single-ghost-and-future-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2017\/11\/31535stockholm-based-dream-pop-band-novah-talk-new-single-ghost-and-future-plans\/","title":{"rendered":"Stockholm’s Novah Talk New Single ‘Ghost’ And Future Plans"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Novah’s new single ‘Ghost’ ft Amanda Mair is out now<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Following their successful debut EP,\u00a0 ‘Alaska’, Stockholm-based dream pop band Novah have teamed up with acclaimed singer\/songwriter Amanda Mair for new single \u2018Ghost\u2019. Speaking to Essentially Pop, band member Simon Hagstrom talks about the inspiration behind the collaboration, the band\u2019s career highlights and plans for their second EP.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

EP: What was the inspiration behind ‘Ghost’?<\/strong><\/p>\n

SH: There isn\u2019t any specific tune. We were just messing around with beats because we got a drum machine. I think the inspiration was just us about trying to make music from something we\u2019re not used to.<\/p>\n

EP: You recorded your debut EP on a remote island, what was the recording process for this track like? <\/strong><\/p>\n

SH: It was much more basic, I would say! We didn\u2019t go anywhere, we recorded at our studio in Stockholm. We had everything we needed here, so we didn\u2019t go anywhere. Normally we like to go away, it\u2019s nice to go another place and not think of anything else, so this was a first time recording in our own studio. We have beautiful upright piano from London, and we used that to record the piano pieces and also drum machine loops.<\/p>\n

EP: Since you usually seem to prefer going away to record your music, was there a specific reason you didn\u2019t do it this time?<\/strong><\/p>\n

SH: Yeah, because we recorded this song just as one song. A single in collaboration with Amanda Mair. If we were to release another EP \u2013 which we will, this winter \u2013 we\u2019ll probably leave Stockholm and go back to the same place we recorded the last EP.<\/p>\n

EP: What was it like working with Amanda? And how did that come about?<\/strong><\/p>\n

SH: It was fantastic! Well, we\u2019ve known each other for a few years. She\u2019s also a Stockholm artist and she comes from the same sort of indie music background. We have common friends and know her personally as well. We\u2019ve been saying \u2018maybe we should do a collaboration\u2019 for two years now and I also produced and wrote some of her music. So this just came naturally. Her voice was just a perfect fit for the song.<\/p>\n

EP: Speaking of collaborations, are there any artists you\u2019d absolutely love to collaborate with in the future?<\/strong><\/p>\n

SH: Oh, good question! Me personally, I\u2019d love to collaborate with James Allen. I don\u2019t know what sort of collaboration, but I love his songwriting, lyrics and productions.<\/p>\n

EP: Who would you say are your major musical influences?<\/strong><\/p>\n

SH: Personally, my inspiration doesn\u2019t come from specific artists or genre. As a band, we are inspired by atmospheric, indie-pop music, like The National and the Beach House.<\/p>\n

EP: And how would you describe Novah\u2019s sound? <\/strong><\/p>\n

SH: Atmospheric and quite low-key, we don\u2019t do much up-tempo music. There\u2019s always a shadow over it; its dark. We don\u2019t see it as sad music, but I know a lot of listeners do! I guess you could say have that Scandinavian melancholy in our music.<\/p>\n

EP: So has your sound changed or evolved since your debut?<\/strong><\/p>\n

SH: Yes, both. When we started this project, we had a few up-tempo songs and a few calm songs. We were signed by the record label for the calmer ones. They didn\u2019t really like our up-tempo music, so we scrapped those. Our sound now is more direct but also experimental. And sound-wise we are continually trying to go out of our comfort zone, with our new music.<\/p>\n

EP: You said you\u2019re working on some new music, besides that what would you describe as the band\u2019s musical ambition? What\u2019s next for Novah, in the immediate future?<\/strong><\/p>\n

SH: It\u2019s pretty easy! As a group and as creators; if we are making an EP, we want it to be the best EP, with the best lyrics and best songs. We want it to be better than what we put out before. It\u2019s hard, but that\u2019s always the ambition \u2013 to make it the best we\u2019ve done. Immediately, we may do a show in Stockholm, but our main focus is on writing the songs for the EP and record it either in late December or January, and get it out next spring!<\/p>\n

Check out ‘Ghost’ below:<\/p>\n