Nina Lane and Bryan Owens have been performing, touring, writing and recording music together since their paths crossed two decades ago in the South Island of New Zealand. The duo play contemporary original songs inspired by a fusion of musical genres - an alt-folk bluesy, jazzy, crossover. They accompany themselves on a range of instruments like the bouzouki, mandolin, fiddle and guitar and include well-blended vocal harmonies.
Singer-songwriter guitarist Nina Lane is the lyricist who writes about intriguing people and places from her travels, the shifting sands of love and the magnetic pull of her birthplace Aotearoa, always calling her back home. “Her work reflects her love of the natural environment without becoming saccharine” Hauraki Herald. “A musician of dedicated quality and intellect” Paul Ubana Jones. “What stops people in their tracks is her unique voice, a rare instrument with deep glowing tones like liquid honey” Jo Hardy. Nina currently teaches singing one-on-one to children and adults and facilitates ongoing songwriting workshops in the Whangarei district.
Bryan Owens is an imaginative, multi-instrumentalist and master of soundscapes. As an accompanist he adds layers of colour and texture to the music on a variety of instruments, including mandolin, bouzouki, guitar, fiddle and vocal harmonies. Bryan has recorded and performed with a wide range of musical ensembles from rock bands to singer-songwriters in NZ & America. He transcribed and published a tune-book called ‘Bryan’s Bizaar’ - a collection of tunes from near and far. Currently Bryan gives music lessons at Onerahi Primary school in Northland. He also teaches guitar and ukulele classes to adults with CEW ‘Community Education Whangarei’ and facilitates a weekly group class for teens and adults in Traditional Folk Music. He hosts a live folk music session at ‘The Judge' in Whangarei.
The duo recently returned after a 20 year stint in the Pacific Northwest, USA. They have co-produced a new album of original songs called ‘Holding the Flame’ and their public performances include well-refined songs from the new album combined with original lively folk melodies (now available on Bandcamp).
For inquiries, please contact:
ninalanemusic@gmail.com
