Nova Flares: surfgaze dreamery in new single “Krokodil Tears” – OUT NOW

Alternative rock shoegaze artist Nova Flares presents ‘Krokodil Tears’, which is the second single off his forthcoming self-titled debut EP, expected for release in mid-2018. This single follows in the tracks of the solid and beautiful surf-gaze single ‘Gut Splinter’.

Nova Flares is the solo project of Jason Wagers, whose music as a solo artist cleverly combines shoegaze with neo-psychedelic and surf rock. The result is mighty fine bedroom jangly surf pop packed with flowing dreamy harmony and charming, lo-fi goodness. This hypnotic guitar shimmer packs the magic punch intended.

Conceptually this song imitates the simple idea of two energies traveling towards one another and creating a beautiful reaction. The verses are slightly sensual sounding and invoke motive, the pre-chorus comes in and sounds so peaceful, yet there remains a slight feeling of chaos in the mix. Then suddenly everything starts feeling easy going and perfect after the chorus hits, like everything is just the way it was meant to be.

“Slow-Building. Explosive. Passionate. I imagined beautiful explosions in the sky when i was making this song…. & maybe methodical love making at some point. I wanted a gut feeling of satisfaction at the end, so that’s what I aimed for,” says Jason Wagers.

“This song, along with every track being released on the coming EP, are meant to be strictly musical however, I intentionally made these tracks very spacious and vibey so that the listener could attach whatever memory or emotion that they get while listening to a song. This should be a more personal experience. To me, that means that to every different listener, it’s a completely different song, and I like that idea. Similar to the idea of a “nova flare”, this ends up being a memory of giant reaction.”

Hailing from Berea, Kentucky, he moved to Louisville at 18 where he played in various bands until deciding to put out his own album under the name The Corridors. Writing, recording and producing all tracks in his apartment studio, Wagers released the debut album in April 2017, only to be crushed by a British record label claiming to represent a band by the same name, who demanded he cease using this name. By that time, Wagers was eager to start a solo project in a completely new direction, inevitably creating a very specific atmosphere in his new compositions.

This music is heavily influenced by neo-psychedelic bands of the 90’s through to those currently active, such as Black Market Karma, Mystic Braves, Holy Wave and The Brian Jonestown Massacre.

Jason Wagers has dubbed his sound “surfgaze”, the style borrowing gazey elements that can be traced back to My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Beach Fossils and The Jesus and Mary Chain, while also being influenced by surf and beach-goth-psych bands like The Growlers, La Luz, The Warlocks and the Allah-Las.

The bright, reactive sound of this music inspired the project’s name ‘Nova Flares’. A nova is an astronomical event causing the sudden appearance of a bright, apparently ‘new’ star that slowly fades from view. This involves an interaction between two stars and cause a flare up, which is perceived as a new entity that is much brighter than the stars involved. Ironically, this new project was also born from the destruction of The Corridors.

“The songs I create through Nova Flares are supposed to be very cinematic and capture memories and feelings from situations I’d experienced in my childhood and adult life, but these songs are also meant to be left open ended so that the listener could have their own personal sensory experience as well,” says Jason Wagers.

Playing in bands and writing music since the age of 14, he eventually learned enough in the music sphere to start producing his own records, appreciative of the freedom and ability to record his own songs and release his own records. Growing beyond guitar to also bass guitar, drums and piano and also dabbling with vocals over the years. His Nova Flares project provided the perfect opportunity to develop his skills even further.

While ‘Krokodil Tears’ will only release on May 4 via online stores and streaming platforms, this and previous single ‘Gut Splinter’ are available via Nova Flares’ own Bandcamp. The release of Nova Flares’ eponymous EP shall follow in June.