FG CHIC : Stolen Nova, Josh Landau’s Solo Universe of Sound, Style and California Myth 

FG CHIC : Stolen Nova, Josh Landau’s Solo Universe of Sound, Style and California Myth 

Stolen Nova is the solo project of American musician, songwriter, model and actor Josh Landau, best known as the frontman of the stoner-punk trio The Shrine. After nearly a decade at the helm of the band, Landau stepped into a more singular, self defined chapter, launching Stolen Nova as an extension of his wider creative world.

Rooted in his early years within Venice, California’s skate culture, Landau continues to refine a sonic language that moves fluidly between psych rock and skate punk, while expanding a distinct artistic identity of his own. The result is a project that feels both instinctive and cinematic, shaped by freedom, attitude and an unmistakable West Coast electricity. 

Photography Josh Landeau

Beyond music, Landau has also made his mark across fashion and entertainment, building a trajectory that blurs the lines between disciplines with rare natural ease. His creative path reflects a vivid fusion of sound, style, skate culture and screen presence, leaving a lasting imprint across these interconnected worlds. 

At the heart of Stolen Nova’s signature guitar sound is a 1971 JMP Super Lead 100W head, paired with 1960A and 1960B cabinets, delivering all the raw power and punch required for an explosive sonic presence. Tireless and iconic, the legendary Super Lead circuit also lives on in the 1959 Handwired Head. 

Stolen Nova unfolds as a juxtaposition and synthesis of acoustic guitars, modular synthesizers and analog effects, creating lush soundscapes rich in tone, depth and texture. It is music that feels at once expansive and intimate, where grit meets atmosphere, and where Californian rebellion is recast through a more refined, immersive lens. 

 https://soundcloud.com/stolennova

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/stolen-nova/1576457213