Novastar

Novastar is a Belgian band, led by singer and pianist Joost Zweegers (born 1 April 1966 in Sittard, Netherlands). The band is popular in Belgium and The Netherlands. Novastar is known for its deep, emotional ballads, and the pure, high voice of Zweegers.

Novastar was the winner of Humo's Rock Rally in 1996. The self-titled debut album Novastar was not released until four years later, in 2000, but with success. The album was released by Warner Music, reached #1 of the Ultratop Chart in Flanders and Novastar was awarded a platinum record. Singles "Wrong", "The Best Is Yet to Come", "Caramia" and "Lost and Blown Away" received much airplay. Novastar was honored as best album at both the Zamu Music Awards and the TMF Awards.

Joost Zweegers intended to record his second album in the United States, but unhappy with the way he was pushed to produce hits, he returned to Belgium. He started a collaboration with the Belgian musician Ozark Henry and together they wrote the songs for the next Novastar album Another Lonely Soul. The album, which Ozark Henry also produced, was released in 2004.

Although Joost Zweegers described Another Lonely Soul as "more emotional and less suited for the radio" the album was an immediate success. Just as the debut album, the new cd topped the Ultratop album chart and was awarded a platinum record and the TMF Award for best album.

In 2005, Novastar signed with the EMI record label, which released the album Another Lonely Soul (supplemented with the debut album-single "Wrong") in all European countries.