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Issue link: https://digital.miamilivingmagazine.com/i/11585
PEOPLE Songstress Debi Nova Releases Debut Album SUPERNOVA Luna Nueva Words by Vanessa Pascale Supernova: the explosion of a star — precisely what you’re about to witness with this nova. You either have it or you don’t, an intrinsic glow that evokes wonderment, a certain je ne sais quoi, star quality, and Debi Nova has it. Beautiful, passionate, talented, instrumentally-inclined… Look out Shakira, Debi is on her way to becoming the next bilingual pop sensation. The 24-year old already has six Grammy-Award nominations for collaborating as a singer/songwriter with artists Norman Brown, Victor Duplaix, Sergio Mendes, has written with Black Eyed Peas, toured with Ricky Martin and Sergio, and had her single, “One Rhythm,” hit #1 on the dance charts in 2004. She recently released her dance-inducing new single, “Drummer Boy” (now on iTunes & Amazon) along with a hot video. After seeing her performance at Los Angeles’ famed Viper Room, it was clear to me that Debi is on her way. Demonstrating a relaxed grace onstage, her mellifluous voice poignantly hit all the right notes as she bewitched the crowd with a taste of her debut album Luna Nueva, available May 18th. The free-spirited surfer joined me in the lavish pool area of Santa Monica Beach’s Viceroy Hotel, where we chatted over tea and an assortment of fruits and cheese. Miami Living: How long have you been singing, performing, and writing? Debi Nova: I started playing piano at 4- years-old. My brother received a CASIO keyboard for his bar mitzvah at 13 and I started playing it. From then on it was nonstop. It was like music found me and never let me go. Around 12 -14, I started playing guitar, bass and started singing in bands. Around 16, I wrote my first song. ML: You’ve written songs for other artists too? DN: I did. Not so much in the last couple of years, since I’m really focusing on my album. I co-wrote a song with Black Eyed Peas on their Elephunk album, “Latin Girls.” I co-wrote with Sean Paul on his album Dutty Rock. I also wrote a song for RBD, which used to be a big Latin band, and for a couple of movie soundtracks. 88 MIAMI LIVING ML: How did you get involved with them? DN: My dream has always been to make an album. I came to this country and was so focused on getting my project off the ground. I was very active in meeting musicians, writers, producers and gigging around. I met someone who met someone and the next thing I knew I was on tour with Sergio Mendes. It’s really amazing. Everything was a stepping stone and preparation to make my own album. ML: And you toured with Ricky Martin? DN: I did in 2005 for the album Life. I was part of his band and sang on three songs on his record. I met him in the studio and from there it was like, ‘I want you to come on tour with me.’ ML: Tell me about your new album, Luna Nueva. DN: It’s Latin-soul-pop. It’s a really good representation of who I am. I co-wrote every song. It captures my journey through the music world as a musician and a woman. Everything sort of happened so that this album comes out in 2010, a moment where Latinos and cultures in general mix. I’m really excited about sharing this album with the world. ML: Who would you say has influenced your music? DN: Brazilian music has been a big part of my upbringing. My mother used to listen to it, a lot of Bossa nova, that coupled with the Sergio Mendes experience had a very big impact on my career and life. I really look up to and enjoy inspiring female songwriters and musicians I grew up listening to: Fiona Apple, Tori Amos… ML: Are you planning to go on tour? DN: I have a couple of dates this summer. In the fall we’re probably going to have a full on tour—that’s the plan. I’m playing two dates in August at the Lilith Fair in Texas. ML: Do you ever get out to Miami? DN: We spent weeks doing press there, most of the Latin media is there. My aunt lives there, so I’ve spent a lot of time there with my family. It’s a great meeting point for my family. My brother is in Spain. My sister is in Connecticut, my mom and dad are in Costa Rica, and I’m here (L.A.). I love the water, even though there are no waves. Last time I was there, I was so desperate to get in the water that I rented a surfboard from Pura Vida, which is ironically enough our Costa Rican phrase, and floated. It was so much fun. When you’re craving it so much, it’s like a fix. ML: Who do you hope to work with in the future? DN: Sting. I’m such a fan. I would love to co-write with him. That’s my ultimate dream. I would love to do something with Lady Gaga—something crazy on two pianos. ML: Where do you want to see your career go? DN: I always want to keep myself working in music. As long as I can do what I love and create something I’m satisfied with, I’ll feel good about myself. Most importantly, I would love to get to a point in my career where my voice actually creates changes. I want to be in a position to give back and inspire others. ML