Spaghetti Western Wizard Rock
Since 2007
FIRST YOU FEEL IT IN YOUR FEET,
THEN YOU FEEL IT IN YOUR HEART.
In the summer of 2007, 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.
Inspired by 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, the band founded the "spaghetti western wizard rock" genre.
Standing out like a unicorn in a postapocalyptic wasteland, Bella Novela has made a name for themselves in the eclectic music scene of Long Beach, California, with their flamboyant, passionate, and unforgettable live shows. They have toured the country with their trusted van and appeared on two compilations featuring the best in Long Beach music alongside Mike Watt (Minutemen) and Crystal Antlers. They've shared the stage with Semi-Precious Weapons, The Like, Gram Rabbit, Ikey Owens (Mars Volta), Matt Embree (RX Bandits), and Girl in a Coma.
With the release of Battlelines, recorded by Pete Lyman of Infrasonic Sound (Mars Volta, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club), Bella Novela's debut album fills the void for those aching for something new -- an oasis in the desert landscape of disposable, automated Top 40 and lo-fi, indie minimalism. Dripping with soul and emotion, their songs quench the thirst for fist-in-the-air dance floor rock anthems.
Bella Novela leaves a trail of fans with melted faces and melted hearts.
"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." - Brandon Ferguson, OC Weekly
"High-drama high-energy rock from a band whose fervent hope is to outnova the Mexican daytime soaps: 'The bigger, the sadder and the more overdramatic the better,' singer Jackie O says." - Chris Ziegler, The District Weekly
"Long Beach, Calif., 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, Summer Loving, which the group managed to sell to most of the attendants with its tight performance." - Joel Shanahan, Madison Decider
"Bella Novela describes itself as spaghetti western wizard rock. Even when I’m fully conscious, I’m not entirely sure what that means, but from the three songs I caught Thursday night, it means the band is catchy, energetic and, most importantly, friendly."
- April Corbin, Las Vegas Weekly
"The singer is very animated, both physically and vocally. She wrings every drop of emotion out of every lyric. She sings with her hands too, which was lovely...This set took on an almost theatrical quality for me, and I'd like to see them do their thing next time they come to town. The bubbly way the drummer counts off the songs is worth the cover charge alone. So cute." - Michael Klayman, The Lens and the Eyebrow
"They started playing and we all knew we had a made a good choice to stay. Powerful vocals, cool guitar riffs, strong bass lines, and catchy beats. The dynamics of the performance really got to us."
- Belgian Kid, Belgian Kid
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