Following the release of Exposition I this summer, progressive duo Nova Charisma have announced a run of tour dates that will bring a full live experience to fans for the first time. Comprised of Donovan Melero (Hail The Sun, Sianvar) and Sergio Medina (Sianvar, Royal Coda, Stolas), the band will headline five shows in some of their favorite cities across the U.S. this December including Anaheim, CA, San Antonio, TX, Cambridge, MA, Brooklyn, NY and Chicago, IL. The project’s first release Exposition I, out now on Equal Vision Records, finds the duo exploring a more vibrant sound than the musicians’ previous output, pushing the boundaries of their artistic limitations. The three song collection serves as an in-depth analysis of character and just the first taste of what’s to come from Nova Charisma, who are preparing to release more music later this year. All online ticket sales for the tour will include a download of the band’s next Exposition and are on sale now. You can find the full list of dates below and listen to Exposition I here now.
On the announcement, Donovan Melero stated:
“This is the first time we will be performing on stage as Nova Charisma. It’s going to be such an incredible experience. We don’t know exactly what to expect, but we are extremely enthusiastic about it.”
Sergio Medina and Donovan Melero have worked diligently throughout their careers to earn their reputations as hard rock innovators. Medina’s next level guitar work and intricate arrangements in Stolas were integral to the band’s status as a beloved cult favorite and pivotal to the expansion of progressive rock. Melero has led Hail The Sun to a revered position at the forefront of the scene built on musical dynamism and a knack for raw, emotional connectivity. With such a strong chemistry already established, it’s no surprise that Medina and Melero were on a plane to London to begin work on Nova Charisma just four days after Sianvar disbanded in early 2019. By leaving the familiarity of their California homes, they were able to clear their minds and start the writing process from a place far outside their comfort zone. By the time they left London’s Shoreditch neighborhood a little over two weeks later, they had laid the groundwork for the foundation of a sound unlike anything they’d ever written.
While Nova Charisma is definitively Medina and Melero, they had some familiar collaborators for the launch of the project. For pre-production, the duo worked with Hail The Sun’s touring drummer, Allen Casillas, and Medina’ bandmate in Stolas, Carlo Marquez, was also pivotal in establishing the sound of the band throughout the writing and recording processes. For Medina, Nova Charisma offers the chance to challenge himself as a writer outside of the technical proficiency of his signature style as he aimed to craft songs built around simpler instrumentation and arrangements. Melero also found new territory with the project, as he was able to create a new persona for the project that explored a different side of his own personality, both lyrically and melodically. Once the songs were ready to be tracked, the two headed to Baltimore to work with producer Brian McTernan (Circa Survive, Thrice, Converge) on what would become their three song debut, Exposition I. The resulting composition serves as a perfect introduction to a project that is sure to generate massive excitement over what Medina and Melero are capable of as writing partners.
Tour Dates
12/14 Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction
12/18 San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger
12/19 Cambridge, MA @ Middle East
12/20 Brooklyn, NY @ Elsewhere
12/22 Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen