Press Release
From
New Zealand….
DOWN OWENS LANE
“Captures the Imagination, a rich feast for the ears”
Together, Nina
Lane and Bryan Owens set their passion for music free, creating rich
textural acoustic music, original compositions and ethnic folk tunes from
around the globe.
Nina’s sensuous
alto voice and unique New Zealand accent flows like dark, liquid honey,
resonating with Bryan’s vocal harmonies.
Their show incorporates an exceptional variety of instruments from the
octave mandolin, Turkish darbuka, acoustic guitar, and clarinet. Beautiful
ballads followed by exotic dance tunes have critics describing their sound as
‘exciting and diverse’.
Nina and Bryan’s musical collaboration began in 1998 when Bryan’s musical travels led him from Ireland to New Zealand where ‘Down Owens Lane’ was formed. Nina has toured as a professional soloist for 12 years. Shortly thereafter, they recorded and released Nina’s debut CD containing her original music. “This collection of quite personal songs of love and ecology sets her apart as a talented songwriter. Owens’ mandola is the perfect foil for Lane’s fine guitar playing” (New Zealand Musician Magazine). Lane’s heartfelt lyrics portray New Zealand’s natural beauty, sensuous love songs, life’s limitless possibilities and the importance of daring to fulfill one’s dreams.
In time, Bryan’s
passion for ethnic folk/roots music found a creative home alongside Nina’s
original compositions. This included the introduction of songs sung in diverse
languages such as Hebrew and Greek. Their unquenchable appetite for travel and
desire to take their music further a field recently motivated a move to
Portland, Oregon from New Zealand. Their current focus is working with
accompanying musicians on fiddle, percussion and double bass.
The Down Owens Lane band
illustrates a novel freshness. An evening with this group “captures the
imagination, a rich feast for the ears” (Hauraki Herald).
