Friday October 10
Nina Lane &
Bryan Owens Duo:
Alternative-Folk and Jazz Fusion
Nina Lane and Bryan Owens are known for their originality, heartfelt lyrics and driving rhythm, playing songs inspired by a fusion of musical genres: an Alt-Folk, Blues/Jazz crossover.
Bryan arrived in New Zealand in 1998 and their musical collaboration started: songwriting, touring the country and producing Nina’s debut album, which promptly sold out.
Seeking fresh musical inspiration, two years later they moved to Portland, Oregon, where they formed Sprygg, a World Folk quartet. During their time there, they also co-founded a Steiner school and spent over a decade teaching weekly children’s music programmes… and produced Holding the Flame, an album of original songs.
After twenty years overseas, the duo have settled back in New Zealand and in the last six months have performed at house concerts, festivals and outdoor shows and have recently returned from touring their latest album in Wellington and the South Island.
The duo will be playing in a double-bill with Pomahaka Tyne at The Arts Junction on October 10.
Nina Lane
Nina Lane is a singer/songwriter/guitarist who was raised on the Coromandel Peninsula. Her childhood home sported a well-used record-player with an extensive 60’s collection, and her mother promoted New Zealand touring musicians… impromptu sing-alongs and jam sessions with guest artists often occurred around the guitar!
At thirteen, Nina discovered her lifelong passion when she began classical singing lessons. Through dedicated daily practice and continuous study, she refined her voice into a reliable and expressive instrument.
Under the mentorship of Nigerian-English musician Paul Ubana Jones, Nina discovered the art of touring – a skill that carried her across Australasia, Asia, and Europe for fourteen years. Her journey eventually led her to Portland’s Artichoke School of Music, where she immersed herself in the craft of songwriting. Nina now teaches singing one-on-one with children and adults and facilitates a regular creative songwriting group in Whangarei.
In an age of soundalikes, Nina is an original Kiwi songstress. As a lyricist she draws out the most delicate and joyful aspects of life, writing about the shifting sands of love, the intriguing people and places she encountered on her travels, nurturing the Earth, and the magnetic pull of her birthplace, Aotearoa, calling her back home.
“A musician of dedicated quality and intellect”
Paul Ubana Jones
Bryan Owens
Bryan Owens is originally from Maryland, USA. His musical awareness began with his grandmother’s collection of Elvis Presley memorabilia, and listening to 70’s pop-country music on his parents’ radio.
Bryan Smith hails from Maryland, USA. His musical journey began in childhood, sparked by his grandmother’s Elvis Presley memorabilia and the ‘70s pop-country melodies drifting from his parents’ radio. At thirteen he discovered the Toronto band Rush, and started lessons with a jazz guitar tutor who also played Prog Rock.
Bryan pursued his passion for music by through a degree in Music Industry Studies followed by and internship at RCA Records in Nashville, Tennessee. Eager to broaden his horizons, he then bought a one-way ticket to Europe and the South Pacific, travelling with just an acoustic guitar. Along the way, he developed a profound appreciation for traditional folk music, shaping both his artistry and worldview.
En route, Bryan learnt to play the Irish bouzouki, clarinet, mandolin and violin, released an album and worked as a professional accompanist with ensembles ranging from folk-dance to Bluegrass to pop-rock bands.
Today Bryan is a music educator, facilitates traditional folk music classes and hosts regular live folk music sessions in Whangarei.
“Bryan is an imaginative accompanist either on guitar, octave mandolin or backing vocals”
Hauraki Herald
ADMISSION
$25 at the door
Online bookings
$22 plus processing and booking fee
ADMISSION
$25 at the door
Online bookings
$22 plus processing and booking fee