By: Josh Kitchen / June 15, 2024
Photos by: Clem Morris
Nova May is very complicated, she tells me. If you're on TikTok, there is a pretty good chance you have come across Nova May's manic, electronic, glitter-filled videos and songs. Based in London, Nova May has been releasing infectious electric pop singles since 2022, and she's had a very busy 2024 so far.
Her latest single, "BOSH!" is a feminist club banger, and she tells me, "I created 'BOSH!' as an ultimate female rage track to whip your hair about to in the club. It’s a bite back at the guys in clubs (and in general) who think they can touch without asking. Nova May doesn’t stand for that kind of behavior. 💋" Nova May has already released the extremely danceable singles "MR. BUS DRIVER" and "TROY" earlier this year, and the blood-splattered music video for "BOSH!" was released this week. I spoke with Nova May about her style of electric pop, her influences, bringing back pop music from the 2010's, and visiting L.A. for the first time where the first order of business is recording new music, and the second is trying In-N-Out Burger for the first time.
Who is Nova May?
Gosh, Nova May is a very complicated, honestly. I feel like the things that mainly define me are that I kind of want to be a symbol of strength for people, I really feel like my music has been kind of a place of escapism, you know, and I want to be that person. I sort of don't really take myself too seriously, and like to be a little bit outrageous sometimes, and I like to push the boundaries. I think people take life a bit too seriously, sometimes. So, I kind of want to be a symbol for all of that.
Can you talk about your style of electric pop and what it means to you?
To me, it's an extreme kind of experimental electronic music where, maybe on the vocal you're using a lot of auto-tune, and it's just really in that electronic world. I like to have a lot of that influence in my music now because it's just the the music that makes me feel the most amazing, and I love being transported into another world. I was saying that before, kind of wanting to kind of give people that otherworldly space. To me, that's kind of what electronic music is.
Your music videos are so fun, chaotic, and exciting. Can you talk about that?
About the music videos or the chaos? Like I said, Before, I have a real thing where I just love to kind of push boundaries a bit, and it gives me a bit of a kick. People like Lady Gaga have really inspired me. She pushed me to be even more like that myself as an adult. I really wanted to kind of have those rebellious elements in my music videos, because that is a side of myself that I'm proud of, and I love to just be a little bit crazy sometimes. And it's just fun.
Talk to me about your new singles, "BOSH!", "MR. BUS DRIVER" and "TROY."
These singles are kind of the start of a bigger project for me. "TROY" was actually the first one that I had in mind for this project because it was the first that was leaning into that sort of 2010's sound. These songs mean so much to me, because, I was kind of going through a bit of a hard time last year, and having a lot of trouble in the music industry. It's the toughest industry and I really found that listening to 2010s music really kind of helped pull me out of that. That's why I was speaking about Gaga because the music that I listened to you when I was a kid, just kind of helped remind me of who I was. So I tried to blend that 2010's sound a bit more with a modern sound. I've felt like they've given me a new lease of life in a way. I'm just so grateful, and I'm grateful that it feels like I'm actually building a proper fan base. These songs are really the start of something.
Photo by: Clem Morris
What are some of your favorite live music experiences?
I think one of the shows that really inspired me so much was Charli XCX. My friend asked me if I wanted to come see Charli, and I went and was completely blown away. I was just like, wow, this chick doesn't give a fuck. She's so sick on stage. I just loved it and it resonated so much.
What's next for Nova May?
I'm actually coming to L.A. to record in a few weeks. I'm scared. It's my first ever time!
That's fantastic, what are you excited to see in L.A.?
It's so stupid, but I've always just had this dream of having In-N-Out.
Oh my gosh, that's not stupid, you're gonna love it. Get the animal fries and pink lemonade!
Pink Lemonade! I'll go dressed in all pink and have the photo shoot.
Follow Nova May everywhere here: https://linktr.ee/novamay
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