about us

Hillel Frankel is an entertainment attorney and artist manager based in Chicago. He represents a wide variety of entertainment related businesses, including record labels, publishers, DJs, musical groups, fine artists and entertainment related web businesses. He has taught entertainment law at DePaul College of Law in Chicago and has frequently been a panelist and lecturer on copyright and licensing issues.

Hillel attended University of Illinois at Chicago receiving a BA in 1990 and a JD from DePaul College of Law in 1993.

In his not so former life as musician 'Frankie Hill', he toured nationally and recorded as a keyboard/sax player with many internationally known artists. He was an original member of two of Chicago's most popular bands; Grammy nominated Liquid Soul and Reggae, Ska pioneers Heavy Manners.

Contact Hillel: frankie@novo.net

August Forte is a publicist and marketing specialist based in Chicago. He represents emerging and established artists, and has promoted events at Chicago's top venues including Schuba's, The Empty Bottle, Lounge Ax and The Congress Theater.

He has worked as a freelance writer and editor and his writing has appeared in magazines, periodicals and Websites, including The Chicago Reader, New City, Pop Matters, Clutter, Lumpen, Select, Groupeez, Pistil and Relix.

August attended Columbia College, where he studied film and video. He earned his BA in 1999.

Contact August: august@novo.net

Elise started as an Assistant Talent Buyer at LaSalle Power Company in Chicago and moved on to various roles with Silver Wrapper Productions and the Chicago-based North Coast Music Festival. Elise is a fixture on the national festival circuit as well working artist relations and hospitality for many events and improving the experience for artists and fans alike. You may have caught her alter ego, Eliza Starlight, hoopdancing in the back of the crowd. Elise is brand savvy, image conscious, and lives and breathes music every waking moment.

Contact Elise: elise@novo.net

Ellie is NoVo's in-house graphic designer. Her skills include (but are not limited to): graphic and web design, mastering and manipulating social networks, flute, bass guitar, illustration, songwriting, jokes that aren't funny, dog walking, pilling cats, copywriting, and shamelessly promoting her upcoming gigs. Ellie's credentials are limited to her street cred and crippling addiction to the Internet, but she's pretty good at what she does. She also plays in several local bands: The Maybenauts, the Sonnets, SLUTTER, Killer Kittens, johnnymaybetrouble and Humboldt Gong (live band karaoke).

Contact Ellie: emaybe@novo.net