Nova 2012 – What The Artists Thought
Ghostpoet
By Jimmy Blake and Olly Douglas
Last week, Jimmy Blake and Olly Douglas headed to Nova Festival to take in sets by the likes of Jessie Ware, Tune-Yards and Speech Debelle – now they bring you words and reflections from some of the weekend’s performers. You can also catch up on part one and part two of their review.
Ghostpoet
“The fact that we got everyone going is testament to the guys I play with and the people that turned up and seemed to really enjoy the set. Regardless of how many people are there, they could just as easily be chilling in their tent so we’ve got to give the best show we can. It’s only the first year so we didn’t really know what to expect but we were pleasantly surprised the it all.”
Raif – Sofar Sounds Founder (Talking on Friday)
“Our movement is all about introducing people to new music in an environment where it feels intimate and is appreciated. This is the first time we’ve done a ‘field festival’ so we struggled to find a living room but the cinema tent works just as well and opening the main stage everyday is a great place for the bands to get more exposure. Nova came to us after we put on a night in Katrina Larkin’s [one of the organizers] house because they’re about discovering talent and Sofar is at the cutting edge of new music so in that perspective it’s ideal. They also respect that we want to keep it intimate and they trusted our judgement and just left us to it. It’s been a bit of an experiment for both sides but there’s a good mood, everyone’s up for getting involved. Ask in two days time wether I’d come back but so far so good.”
MotherFeather – Talking to us before their set
“We came all the way from New York for the gig and the people have made it worth it. Everyone’s a super good sport and really don’t care about the weather. There’s Matt who drove us around in the mud and the amazing Taz… all of them! Crazy P rocked it last night last night and we LOVED Will oNx in the Sofar Sound tent, there’s so much talent here. We’re all about having no shame, love and finding the best part of ourself and seems like this festival is ready to do that so we can’t to show you guys pop-cock-rock!”
Jono McCleery
Jono McCleery
“It’s been a bit wet and muddy but spirits are high. I think people are still struggling to get in so even though the crowd wasn’t as big as it could have been there was still a great atmosphere. I prefer smaller festivals like this, mainly because I don’t like cueing! They’re a much more charming experience so I hope there’s a chance for Nova to grow a little bit, I know I can’t speak for everyone else but I’d happily come back next year.”
Jessie Ware
“I think the set went well considering our soundcheck was a bit of a mess. It was lovely to see everybody in such good spirits even though it was pissing it down! I really appreciate that people stuck around and listened to me and it was so nice to look out at so many smiling faces spread around in the mud. We’ve been treated really nicely but someone could of told us we might need wellies!”
