The Novellas originated in 1994 as the duo of singer-songwriter/guitarist Peter Chance and keyboardist Laura Ogar. Playing gigs on New York’s Lower East Side led to the addition of percussionists, then bass players, drummers, and guest musicians, then finally the addition of Rob Cantwell on drums and Tim Kealey on bass.

Their CD Magnets in Intimate Places (distributed nationally by Ripe & Ready/Big Daddy) was released in 1999.

Laura was featured in an article about the resurgence of the theremin in the February 2003 issue of National Geographic.