Bella Novela
Long Beach, California, United States | SELF
Music
Press
"Bella Novela is a band that defies genres" -Upchuck Magazine - Upchuck Magazine
"Bella Novela is a band that defies genres" -Upchuck Magazine - Upchuck Magazine
"Bella Novela is one of the most fiercely powerful live bands playing around Southern California right now." - Endless Sound Blog - Endless Sound Blog
"Bella Novela is one of the most fiercely powerful live bands playing around Southern California right now." - Endless Sound Blog - Endless Sound Blog
"We don't like keeping mum when Long Beach cinema trio Bella Novela play around town. If you haven't seen them, do yourself a favor and open your heart, mind, and above all, ears to these scarily talented rockers and their high-energy live show" - OC Weekly - OC Weekly
"Long Beach, California’s power-pop group called Bella Novela hammered out a raw set that drew equally on Pat Benatar and Iron Maiden. Drummer Jannea McClure pummeled away at her kit with heaps of intensity, and guitarist Jacob Heath’s dizzying riffing collided with the soulful howls of singer-keyboardist Jackie Ojeda. Bella Novela’s set pulled largely from its latest EP, which the group managed to sell to most of the attendants with its tight performance." - The Decider - The Madison Decider
"Long Beach, California’s power-pop group called Bella Novela hammered out a raw set that drew equally on Pat Benatar and Iron Maiden. Drummer Jannea McClure pummeled away at her kit with heaps of intensity, and guitarist Jacob Heath’s dizzying riffing collided with the soulful howls of singer-keyboardist Jackie Ojeda. Bella Novela’s set pulled largely from its latest EP, which the group managed to sell to most of the attendants with its tight performance." - The Decider - The Madison Decider
“Hell of a load of charisma, absolutely fantastic riffs, a cross between some of the ‘70s female-fronted rock stuff like Suzi Quatro and Pat Benatar and the drumming and bass lines of Iron Maiden." - DarkCompass Podcast UK - DarkCompass Podcast
“High-drama, high-energy rock from a band whose fervent hope is to outnova the Mexican daytime soaps.” - The District Weekly - The District Weekly
“High-drama, high-energy rock from a band whose fervent hope is to outnova the Mexican daytime soaps.” - The District Weekly - The District Weekly
“It’s rock with a dash of metal, shaken not stirred, garnished with estrogen. I absolutely couldn’t get enough.” - OC Reloaded
“It’s rock with a dash of metal, shaken not stirred, garnished with estrogen. I absolutely couldn’t get enough.” - OC Reloaded
"2011's GREATEST HITS - It is a rare thing to find a band that has ambition, passion, and the execution of a musical concept as fully realized as The Archeress by Bella Novela. Given the cinematic and episodic nature of this record, I could easily see this becoming the source material for a film adaptation. Someone NEEDS to make that happen." - Endless Sound Blog - Endless Sound Blog
"2011's GREATEST HITS - It is a rare thing to find a band that has ambition, passion, and the execution of a musical concept as fully realized as The Archeress by Bella Novela. Given the cinematic and episodic nature of this record, I could easily see this becoming the source material for a film adaptation. Someone NEEDS to make that happen." - Endless Sound Blog - Endless Sound Blog
"THE FIVE MOST UNDERRATED BANDS OF ORANGE COUNTY: Here we have a band that forgoes the indie pop saturated music scenes in favor of dynamic high-energy cinematic rock with prog sensibilities. Lead vocalist Jackie Ojeda is a diminutive lass whose stature belies a bellicose voice. She's backed by guitarist Jacob Heath who busts complicated and serpentine licks while drummer Jannea McClure attacks the skins with unparalleled fury. Truly a joy to watch." - OC Weekly - OC Weekly
"THE FIVE MOST UNDERRATED BANDS OF ORANGE COUNTY: Here we have a band that forgoes the indie pop saturated music scenes in favor of dynamic high-energy cinematic rock with prog sensibilities. Lead vocalist Jackie Ojeda is a diminutive lass whose stature belies a bellicose voice. She's backed by guitarist Jacob Heath who busts complicated and serpentine licks while drummer Jannea McClure attacks the skins with unparalleled fury. Truly a joy to watch." - OC Weekly - OC Weekly
"Bella Novela is a three-piece rock band making a name for themselves in the Long Beach area with their face-melting live shows." - The Daily 49er - The Daily 49er
"Bella Novela is a three-piece rock band making a name for themselves in the Long Beach area with their face-melting live shows." - The Daily 49er - The Daily 49er
“The Archeress has in a matter of days become one of my favorite albums ever, among the likes of Appetite for Destruction, Lungs, and Piece of Mind. THAT’S saying something.” - OC Music Magazine - OC Music Magazine
"LONG BEACH TRIO BELLA NOVELA ARE READY TO BLOW UP: Jackie Ojeda, lead vocalist and ivory-tickler for Long Beach’s Bella Novela, definitely calls to mind the adage that dynamite comes in small packages. During the band’s performances, she belts out impassioned anthems while pounding at her keyboard with staggering conviction. Backed by guitarist Jacob Heath, whose Latin-metal riffs ride with drummer Jannea McClure’s galloping rhythms, Bella Novela deliver a distinctive sound teeming with verve. Drawing on such epic performers as Queen and Iron Maiden, this trio are on a mission to make music that’s as big as it is explosive, all done with cinematic flair." - OC Weekly - OC Weekly
"LONG BEACH TRIO BELLA NOVELA ARE READY TO BLOW UP: Jackie Ojeda, lead vocalist and ivory-tickler for Long Beach’s Bella Novela, definitely calls to mind the adage that dynamite comes in small packages. During the band’s performances, she belts out impassioned anthems while pounding at her keyboard with staggering conviction. Backed by guitarist Jacob Heath, whose Latin-metal riffs ride with drummer Jannea McClure’s galloping rhythms, Bella Novela deliver a distinctive sound teeming with verve. Drawing on such epic performers as Queen and Iron Maiden, this trio are on a mission to make music that’s as big as it is explosive, all done with cinematic flair." - OC Weekly - OC Weekly
"First thing's first. You need to understand Bella Novela's the best thing you haven't heard yet. I'm telling you people this band is fantastic to watch." - Music In Press - Music in Press
"I first saw Bella Novela in Long Beach in June of 2011 and was simply floored by their energy, their creativity, and their passion. They created a buzz in the room that I've rarely heard in a club show - people had shocked looks on their faces and were talking about Jannea's highly unique drumming style - she was a force, and absolutely tearing it up. Jacob's guitar playing is a throwback to the power guitar era, and Jackie's pleading vocals added an essential layer of drama to the mix. The mantra, "How the hell have I not heard of this band before?" rang through the crowd. I didn't have an answer, but I've since seen them with different friends of mine a handful of times over the last year - the growth of their sound, especially with the release of the rock opera "The Archeress" has been incredible. My most cynical, jaded friend, after hearing their first song, "Going the Distance" at the Troubadour last year, uttered in my ear with wide eyes, "I LOVE this BAND!" I just answered, knowingly, "Of course you do!" - Marc Doyle, co-founder & editor-in-chief, Metacritic - Marc Doyle - Metacritic.com
"I first saw Bella Novela in Long Beach in June of 2011 and was simply floored by their energy, their creativity, and their passion. They created a buzz in the room that I've rarely heard in a club show - people had shocked looks on their faces and were talking about Jannea's highly unique drumming style - she was a force, and absolutely tearing it up. Jacob's guitar playing is a throwback to the power guitar era, and Jackie's pleading vocals added an essential layer of drama to the mix. The mantra, "How the hell have I not heard of this band before?" rang through the crowd. I didn't have an answer, but I've since seen them with different friends of mine a handful of times over the last year - the growth of their sound, especially with the release of the rock opera "The Archeress" has been incredible. My most cynical, jaded friend, after hearing their first song, "Going the Distance" at the Troubadour last year, uttered in my ear with wide eyes, "I LOVE this BAND!" I just answered, knowingly, "Of course you do!" - Marc Doyle, co-founder & editor-in-chief, Metacritic - Marc Doyle - Metacritic.com
Long Beach, California’s power-pop group called Bella Novela hammered out a raw set that drew equally on Pat Benatar and Iron Maiden. Drummer Jannea McClure pummeled away at her kit with heaps of intensity, and guitarist Jacob Heath’s dizzying riffing collided with the soulful howls of singer-keyboardist Jackie Ojeda. Bella Novela’s set pulled largely from its latest EP, which the group managed to sell to most of the attendants with its tight performance. - Madison Decider
Long Beach, California’s power-pop group called Bella Novela hammered out a raw set that drew equally on Pat Benatar and Iron Maiden. Drummer Jannea McClure pummeled away at her kit with heaps of intensity, and guitarist Jacob Heath’s dizzying riffing collided with the soulful howls of singer-keyboardist Jackie Ojeda. Bella Novela’s set pulled largely from its latest EP, which the group managed to sell to most of the attendants with its tight performance. - Madison Decider
Here we have a band that forgoes the indie pop saturating music scenes in favor of dynamic, high-energy cinematic rock with prog sensibilities. Lead vocalist Jackie Ojeda is a diminutive lass whose stature belies a bellicose voice. She's backed by guitarist Jacob Heath, who busts complicated and serpentine licks, while drummer Jannea McClure attacks the skins with unparalleled fury. Truly a joy to watch. - OC Weekly
Here we have a band that forgoes the indie pop saturating music scenes in favor of dynamic, high-energy cinematic rock with prog sensibilities. Lead vocalist Jackie Ojeda is a diminutive lass whose stature belies a bellicose voice. She's backed by guitarist Jacob Heath, who busts complicated and serpentine licks, while drummer Jannea McClure attacks the skins with unparalleled fury. Truly a joy to watch. - OC Weekly
Jackie Ojeda, lead vocalist and ivory-tickler for Long Beach’s Bella Novela, definitely calls to mind the adage that dynamite comes in small packages. During the band’s performances, she belts out impassioned indie-metal anthems while pounding at her keyboard with staggering conviction. Backed by guitarist Jacob Heath, whose Latin-metal riffs ride with drummer Jannea McClure’s galloping rhythms, Bella Novela deliver a distinctive sound teeming with verve. Drawing on such epic performers as Queen and Iron Maiden, this trio are on a mission to make music that’s as big as it is explosive, all done with cinematic flair. - OC Weekly
Discography
The Archeress, 2011
Battlelines, 2010 (Demo)
Photos
Bio
In 2008 these three friends worked at a rock ‘n’ roll summer camp for teens, where they taught the musicians of tomorrow how to play and perform. Sneaking away from the campers at night to play music, Bella Novela was born. Imagine Muse fronted by Beth Ditto or the Yeah Yeah Yeahs forming a supergroup with Coheed and Cambria. Inspired by the western soundtracks of the ‘60s, the operatic arrangements of Queen, the guitar harmonies of Iron Maiden, and the pop choruses and disco rhythms of Abba, Bella Novela dishes up a unique, energetic rock sound.
Making a name for themselves in the eclectic music scene of Long Beach, California, with their flamboyant, unforgettable live shows, they’ve caught the eye of acclaimed video music director Tim Qualtrough (Muse, Killers, Oasis, The Roots), who is now acting as their personal manager. They’ve shared the stage with Girl in a Coma, Ariel Pink, Kitten, Funeral Party, Ida Maria, Ikey Owens (Mars Volta, Jack White), Gram Rabbit, The Like, Semi-Precious Weapons, Matt Embree (RX Bandits). They’ve toured the country and appeared compilations featuring the best in Long Beach music alongside Mike Watt (Minutemen) and Crystal Antlers.
Their recently released album, The Archeress, is a rock opera concept record about the last woman on earth and her battle for survival in a post-apocalyptic world and was completely funded by loyal fans in a successful Kickstarter campaign. The title track was recently featured on Los Angeles’s legendary rock station 95.5 KLOS and received the highest rating of the up and coming bands featured on the radio station’s website.
Bella Novela is currently writing and recording tracks for their next album, expected in 2014, and gaining rabid fans on their never-ending tour of the Southwest.
Links
