Nova Cult

Nostalgia is a powerful thing. Many bands employ nostalgia as a sonic crutch, but Nova Cult, the latest musical project from singer-songwriter/producer JJ Dunlap, use it as a launching pad for the future.

Along with a revolving group of musicians including multi-instrumentalist/bassist Tristan Hendy, drummer Rich Agren, and guitarist Nick Krause, Nova Cult have created a record which harkens back to 1990’s alt-rock bands like Nirvana, Sonic Youth, and My Bloody Valentine. However, this isn’t grunge-era pastiche, but a melding of older sounds with modern production techniques. Tracks like the mid-tempo stomper “Head” features distorted guitar leads and Dunlap’s snarling vocals, while “Pile” lays down an Interpol-esque baseline and foot stomping chorus. Elsewhere, the band experiment with blues fusion (“Chromologic”) jazzy instrumental interludes (“Adara”), and southern-tinged alt-rock (“Just For Show”). There’s even a cover of the Portishead song “Roads”, complete with soaring synth layers and Dunlap’s impassioned vocals.

Nova Cult have steadily been building a loyal fanbase through their creative social media presence; including glitch-heavy art and a head-spinning music video for the song “Sequel", directed by Jeanne Jo. They are a band looking to the past for inspiration while still pushing forward; and if there’s any justice in the world, their brand of noisy guitar-driven rock will hypnotize a new crop of followers willing to join the cult.