Novalia's music is like a fascinating global journey through time, a melodic trip through the sounds of times gone by, through the sounds of the world. They take traditional folk songs and cleverly rework them, exalting their melodies with the unique Novalia sound, obtained by a clever blend of Italian folk sounds (bagpipes, accordion), Mediterranean and North African instruments (saz, baglama, oud, darbouka, viola braguesa, udu) and modern techniques (samplers, sequencers, loops).

The band were formed in 1985 and come from Rieti in Central Italy; their music is of course largely inspired by the traditional sounds of this area and they always sing in their local dialect, something which allows the group to express themselves more freely and adds a special feel to their music: "dialect represents our roots, the instinctive expression of our musical sensitivity. And the knowledge of the people. The voice of many Italies which all have fascinating stories to tell. And to sing".

Their first release for CNI was the mini CD Griot, followed by Canti & Briganti: both CDs were explorations of different cultures and musical emotions, often linking the past with the present due to the presence of songs from past centuries and forages into the world of dub and trance music. With the release of their latest album, Arkeo, Novalia created a new definition for themselves, musical archaeologists: "There are very old songs and music which in time have been forgotten. We are like a archaeologists, we begin by unearthing these ancient melodies, we look for them wherever we find their traces, a fragment, a cave to be explored: we extract them from the oblivion into which they had fallen, we rediscover their millenary charm and we throw them into the arms of the future. To bring them to life once more".

On stage the group are invariably a success, due to their ability to communicate with the audience and make them feel part of this musical voyage across the world. Their concerts bring together ethnic sounds, folk and rock instruments, unremitting beats, psychedelic loops, which, when enhanced by the unusual voice of Raffaello Simeoni, evoke a special atmosphere which keeps the public engrossed and on their feet.

They have performed at numerous international world music festivals and in many different countries (especially in Italy, Europe and Africa), and their tracks have been released in England, the USA, Greece, France, Brazil, Portugal, Japan.

Raffaello Simeoni: vocals, organetto, gaita(Galician bagpipe), gaida (Balkan bagpipe), clarone, ciaramella, zurna, tiktiri, kaval, nay, oud, tzouras, Calabrian lira.

Stefano Saletti: electric guitar, bouzouki, tzouras, samplers, grooves, loops, devices, rhythmic programming, sequencers, piano, choirs.

Giovanni Lo Cascio: drum kit, darbouka, davoul, skin udu, riq, tamburello, caxixi, shakers, grooves, choirs.

Michele Frontino: bass

Alessandro Strinati: viola braguesa, samplers, grooves, choirs 

Fabiana Manuelli: sound