Claudio Cataldi has put together The Age of Nova, a special album for 19th Dream of Dr Sardonicus Festival. The singer-songwriter from Palermo, Sicily is firmly ensconced in the bluesy, psych-pop of the late 60s, albeit with a modern twist like relying on drum programming for the back beat. The songs were recorded all over the place (the UK, the States, Australia and Italy) and over a prolonged time frame (2015-2022). Despite all that the album sounds like it was captured in one particularly inspired session.
The Age of Nova is an intimate record, with a prominent role for acoustic and electric guitar. Cataldi chooses his effects with care and never lets them get in the way of the core of his songs. He keeps his distance, but offer a glimpse of what makes him tick every now and then as well. He is fully aware that he is catering to a niche audience, but it is big enough to keep him in the mood for creating and exploring. Start with the delicate interplay between a ukulele and cello in the short and sweet instrumental The Wooden House. If that doesn't do the trick one's open minded music lover license will be revoked.
