Nova Neon: Hard Candy guitarist interview

Nova Neon

Whilst starting the assembly of the new Shreddelicious 2022 collage, I took some time out to ask Nova Neon about her recent Hard Candy album and to discuss what her future projects were likely to be. Nova Neon is currently based in Canada.

[Laurie Monk]

When did you start playing guitar?

[Nova Neon]

Since I was in high school. So it's a long time

[Laurie Monk]

What's high school age in China?

[Nova Neon]

16 years old

[Laurie Monk]

That surprises me, 16 is relatively late for starting guitar, but I guess the piano helps.

[Nova Neon]

Maybe, but in China, there are lots of guitarists who learn it late. but they are so awesome

[Laurie Monk]

I know I have been watching them play guitar. There's a video featuring many Chinese players.

[Laurie Monk]

Oh, so you are quite a late starter in terms of playing guitar. I hear kids starting at the age of 4 for example. Did you play any other instrument before then?

[Nova Neon]

Yes, my mom pushed me to learn piano since I was 6 years old. But I stopped to learn at 12 years old

[Laurie Monk]

Is there a grade you reached on piano?

[Nova Neon]

Not too much. This is because I hardly ever play the piano now.

Hard Candy Album
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Y3WFJKP/

[Laurie Monk]

So there appears to be a gap in playing music between 12 and 16, are you playing anything else, or just studying hard in the school system?

[Nova Neon]

yeppp, study!

[Laurie Monk]

I was talking to YOYO about that, there is a lot of commitment to school. Even then with the long school days she has reached a very high level on guitar.

So When you started playing guitar at the age of 16, was that as a hobby then?

[Nova Neon]

yep, in the beginning, I just wanted to learn for 3 months... but I had a band when I was 17.

Then I found what I was really into.

[Laurie Monk]

Playing with a band rather than just guitar?

[Nova Neon]

[yes] Band, music, even writing a song is more attractive than just playing the guitar.

[Laurie Monk]

Did your parents encourage you in that endeavour

[Nova Neon]

Nope

[Laurie Monk]

So you went on to study, which you are doing now in Canada, studying a Masters degree

[Nova Neon]

[yes] So my major is international accounting and finance.

[Laurie Monk]

I guess your parents are drawn to making sure you succeed in the commercial world first.

[Laurie Monk]

So let's talk a little more about your band, that's the band Hard Candy right?

[Nova Neon]

Yepp

[Laurie Monk]

So are those guys, in your band Hard Candy, school friends that you met and formed a band with?

[Nova Neon]

Nope, some of them are professional musicians now. and some of them have other jobs.

[Laurie Monk]

I know you're studying hard in Canada, so is the band on hiatus, awaiting your return or finished?

[Nova Neon]

Yep, but we can work online. You know, just write something new.

[Laurie Monk]

Do you do the writing or is it a band thing?

[Nova Neon]

I write songs, then send them to my bandmates and let them modify or finish their part. Then I produce and communicate with the mixer.

[So yes] I do mostly write.

[Laurie Monk]

That's cool, I liked the songs on the Hard Candy release. Neon- Hard Candy （original） Guitar

Playthrough What tools are you using for music production?

[Nova Neon]

You mean DAW?

[Yes, I am using] Ableton live and Cubase

[Laurie Monk]

Let's take you back a bit. When you are learning guitar, is this self study or you are learning with a guitar teacher?

[Nova Neon]

For the beginning, I self-studied but before I didn't know what I could do, I learned from my teacher.

[Laurie Monk]

Was there certain music that inspired you?

[Nova Neon]

It's hard to say, I learned multiple genres of music. Maybe Muse, Tesseract.

[Laurie Monk]

How about guitar players that have influenced you?

[Nova Neon]

To be honest, there is not too much influence from guitar players. David Maxim Micic ? His music is so good.

[Laurie Monk]

That's really cool, I've seen him play live a few times. I like his writing style. I think he went to Berklee music school too.

So you are not overly focusing on guitar techniques to be able to fully express yourself.

[Nova Neon]

In the past I wanted to focus on guitar techniques, and I spent lots of time and energy to do this . but now I just want to have improvement of techniques everyday, and the most important thing is to learn how to write songs

[Laurie Monk]

Very true.

[Nova Neon]

because, I think, the critical part is what we create.

[Laurie Monk]

So are you writing for Hard Candy now?

[Nova Neon]

Yep, LOL, [it’s] just like I told you that … I write songs and then send them to my bandmates to modify or add something. then come back to me to do some produce.

[Laurie Monk]

I really liked the first album a lot, so I'm interested to hear what comes out of the new album.

You toured with Hard Candy, what was that like, you seem to have good size crowds. Were they?

[Nova Neon]

Nope LOL, just a small tour

But thanks for your support

Live Show video

https://video.weibo.com/show?fid=1034:4661911497932884

[regarding the album ] I am glad you like it

[Laurie Monk]

Did you enjoy touring then?

[Nova Neon]

yep

it was fun

[you get] to meet some new friends and have a good time with the other bandmates.

You get excited by playing live.

[Laurie Monk]

Did you have any problems when touring? I know people had their gear stolen for example.

[Nova Neon]

LOL, nope it was all good

and this is not the first tour for us.

so the experience can teach us a lot.

[Nova Neon]

[because of covid] we have a long time no any performance. In the meanwhile, bandmates we are in different places. So rehearsals are a problem.

[Laurie Monk]

Indeed, everyone is looking to a time when covid is no longer an issue.

I assume you promote touring and music through social media?

[Nova Neon]

yep it's easy

[Nova Neon]

[Laurie Monk]

How did you get your guitar and Hotone endorsements?

Is that related to social media too?

[Nova Neon]

yeppp in the beginning, I posted the Hard Candy album then they found me.

So it was on the back of your music. That's really cool.

So were you excited when they approached you?

[Nova Neon]

yep

Hotone is a brand I recognise from NAMM. That's a great promotion for you. What Hotone gear do you use?

[Nova Neon]

Ampero～

[Laurie Monk]

Tell me about your guitar?

[Nova Neon]

I ended up in a collaboration with Aguda

Aguda Guitar

But I use Mayones guitars now.

[Laurie Monk]

So what Mayones guitar are you using now?

Is it headless?

[Nova Neon]

nope

[Laurie Monk]

Wooo. I love the finish on that.

Seven string, have you played seven string before, or is it your first? What model is it?

[Nova Neon]

[I have played a seven string] for 3 years

LOL

[the model is a] Mayones Duvell.

[Laurie Monk]

How much time can you devote to music out of your time at college?

[Nova Neon]

In my bachelor degree I had too much time but with the masters it is totally different

so not too much time now.

[Laurie Monk]

I recall working and doing my masters that I had no time at all. But it's cool that you can still write some music.

What do you think of the scene for female guitar players from your perspective in China and what you have witnessed online posting on Instagram and YouTube?

[Nova Neon]

It's a hard question, but I focus on myself and music. which is the only thing I want to do

[Laurie Monk]

So you plan to continue with Hard Candy?

[Nova Neon]

yep

and always

New Single (2021)

https://video.weibo.com/show?fid=1034:4653678565720078

[Laurie Monk]

So what's next for you with the band?

[Nova Neon]