“I found myself trapped in a time where love and ambition are reduced to mere clichés we encounter on social media, yet rarely apply in our own lives,” shares rising pop artist Chiara Nova on her songwriting journey of her new single, “Bitter Heart.” Raised in France with Italian roots, the London-based singer found, on the bittersweet journey to adulthood, the inspiration for this new musical project, which serves as a personal farewell to her teenage years while embracing a reminiscence of her childhood dreams.
The track is a powerful pop song that lets us see through Chiara’s influences of pop and soul music, seamlessly blending melodies with lavish instrumentations reminiscent of the 80s, while modern production techniques infuse digitised drums and vocal effects. “It seems that pretending to be someone we’re not is the new norm. So I felt compelled to construct something that reflected my true essence but was bigger than me – a kind of alter ego. Through my upcoming music, I hope to empower both myself and others to strive towards our utmost potential, but never losing sight of who we are,” she shares.
Listen to the single below…
Read the full interview…
Who and what influences you to create?
Emotion is truly at the heart of my creative process. It’s what drives me to write, as well as being the inspiration of most of my songs. Life’s demands often get in the way of self-reflection, and that’s something I find deeply intriguing. In our fast-paced world, it’s so easy to lose sight of who we are, but for me, it’s the struggles and triumphs we go through while navigating those emotional landscapes that genuinely inspire my music. I want to bring myself and my listeners back in touch with our own feelings, whether it’s the feelings of joy and sorrow, the quiet moments, or the challenges that test our resilience, it doesn’t matter as long as something moves within us. These human experiences really shape the stories and melodies in my songs and that’s why when I sit to write lyrics and melodies, I try to capture universal emotions that create a tension between love stories and self-introspection, whilst leaving the meaning of my songs in the hands of those who listen.
How did you first find your love of music?
While my parents had Queen and Céline Dion albums on rotation in the car as long as I can remember, I was 5 years old when my first primary school teacher told my mum I seemed to be fond of singing. So, not long after that, I auditioned for a choir in Italy, where I was lulled by harmonies and surrounded by instruments all through my childhood. Then, I joined the Conservatoire in France for opera singing when I was 13, and that’s when I started writing my own songs on the piano. I moved to London a few years later and fell in love with pop and soul music, which all really intensified during my time at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where I had the chance to practice and perform with a Motown band. Growing up, I found inspiration in the versatility of Freddie Mercury and Queen, which is probably why I love blending musical genres today. I’ve also always admired what I affectionately call my ‘5 Divas’: Céline Dion, Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and Christina Aguilera. Listening to these powerhouse singers repeatedly has undeniably influenced my identity as a vocalist.
How would you describe your essence as an artist?
Bold in form, honest in delivery. I think this essence comes through the most when I’m up on stage. To me, live shows represent the pinnacle and the most exhilarating part of releasing music. It’s the moment when all the hard work culminates in a single performance, meant to be shared and experienced in the here and now. My music is a journey through layers of identity, a constant exploration of what it means to be alive, to love, to question, and to dare to dream. Emotional challenges get thrown at us every day in life, but we always have a choice in how we face them, and I want to encourage anyone hearing my songs to be bold when doing so.
To you, what stands out about your music?
I would say the combination of heavy synth, powerhouse vocals, and gospel choir influences, merged with modern production. It’s about hitting that sweet spot where you get that nostalgic atmosphere, but it’s all wrapped up in a sound that’s relevant today. When I perform on stage, I aim to envelop the audience within my world, making them an essential part of it. From the live arrangements, transitions, outfits, and instrumental improvisation, everything is created to provide an experience to anyone watching and to embark together on a Synth-Pop voyage, an open space where individuality is celebrated, and creativity reigns over expectations and norms.
How has your cultural diversity shaped your sound?
Being born in France and growing up in London with Italian parents, I’ve been exposed to a variety of cultures, music, and languages. Though very enriching, constantly moving through Europe had me continuously seeking my own identity, searching for a feeling of belonging. Then I found myself in music making. Just like my upbringing, I wanted to create a sonic universe that didn’t belong to any specific place or country, but rather would transport you to outer space. Influenced by a fusion of pop and soul, my melodies blend instrumentation reminiscent of the synthwave movement, digital drums and vocal layers, while modern production techniques create a retro sound merged with modernised and futuristic details.
How do you feel to be releasing your debut single?
It’s truly liberating. I’ve held on to a collection of songs for years, continuously crafting and refining them. But there comes a point where you have to release them and allow the world to embrace them in their own way. It’s a bit nerve-wracking, but my music is meant to be shared, and its true meaning will only emerge when it resonates with others.
Talk us through the creation of the track?
Benji, the producer, and I had just met a few days prior and talked about our favourite themes and genres. I expressed my desire to create something with an epic and time-traveling feel, an era-blending sound that took the listener both back in time and somewhere in the future simultaneously. Benji came up with a 10-second synth bass loop inspired by our mutual love for M83. As soon as I heard it, I thought, ‘That’s it, we’ve got it.’ Immediately, it made sense to me to write a very soft vocal melody over the heavy bass, creating what I’d call a harmonious clash of dynamics. We followed with a melodic pre-chorus and a grand chorus featuring multiple vocal layers and harmonies. After a few hours, we had the song’s melody, chords, and most of the production down. I then focused on finalising the lyrics and recording the vocals.
What are you portraying thematically with the track?
I wrote Bitter Heart in the form of a love song, but the lyrics truly explore themes of self-discovery, perseverance, and finding one’s place in the world, ultimately covering themes of self-empowerment and self-love. Through this song, I aimed to depict a bittersweet journey to adulthood – a farewell to teenage years while embracing reminiscences of childhood dreams. When faced with tough decisions, Bitter Heart is like a reminder to trust the burning passion within and fuel your journey until you reach new heights.
Is the release a sign of things to come from you?
Most definitely, this is only the beginning. Now that I found the courage to put my first release out there in the world, there is certainly more to come.
Where do you want to take your artistry?
I want to create something bigger than myself and honest, something myself and other people may not dare to be because of the pressure of social constructs. I want to take my artistry to new levels by continually exploring and pushing creative boundaries, whether it’s in the production, the songwriting, the live performances or collaborating with new artists. I’d love to see how my music would be received at festivals next summer and as I work on putting together a first EP.
Ultimately, through my upcoming music and performances, I hope to empower both myself and others to strive towards our utmost potential, without ever losing sight of who we are.
What’s to come from you this year?
From now through summer 2024, expect a steady stream of single releases, louder, bolder, and ever more emotional. After all, it’s time to unveil the compilation of songs I’ve been keeping to myself! I’ve been pouring my heart and soul into my music, and each release and live show will be a reflection of that. I can’t wait to take you on this musical journey with me, and I hope each release will resonate with you.