Lovestorm will release its debut album next week.
Introducing … Lovestorm. The two-piece is a collaboration between acclaimed longtime Moncton-based musicians Nina Khosla (The Great Balancing Act) and Tim Isaac (Isaac & Blewett).
The duo recorded its debut album, Great Ocean, at home in recent months, and will unveil the album next Friday, July 9 at the Aberdeen Cultural Centre in Moncton. Another show the night before takes place at Harvey Hall deep in the beautiful land of Harvey, N.B. near Fundy Park. Other Maritime shows are scheduled throughout the summer and all dates are available on the band’s site.
Recently, Tim took time to share his thoughts on the new collaboration:
1. Tell me about Lovestorm. When did you guys form and how did you guys come together to make music?
We’ve bounced off each other for more than 10 years, been fans of one another’s bands as well. Being in the close-knit music community of N.B., we also had many opportunities to jam together and even had the two bands play shows together a few times. Five years ago Nina and I recorded an EP, ambient and experimental. I found she was creative and expressive in a way that really complemented my musical tastes. About a year ago we decided to re visit the possibilities of a musical collaboration with more focus and vision. This has resulted in the recording Great Ocean.
2. You both have extensive careers on the east coast with Isaac & Blewett and The Great Balancing Act. Based on those experiences, what do you think you each bring to Lovestorm?
I feel we both have an ease on stage that our experiences brings. This makes it easier to focus on the performance, the music, the presentation. I think that I provide a solid musical footing, allowing Nina to put more of her attention on the lyrics, singing, connecting with the audience as a front-woman. The music I conjure is cello-based. The orchestral sound brings a touch of class, a richness and depth with the loops that I feel complements Nina’s vocals.
3. What does Lovestorm allow you to do that is different from your other projects?
I enjoy the fresh sound that comes from mixing it up with Nina. Every combination of creative forces will result in different results, and this is a good one! I like the role of accompanist, as opposed to being the main tormented singer/songwriter in I&B. While I have lots on my plate with the music in Lovestorm, I also find myself watching Nina, and admire her songs, performance, and the embellishments she flavours the music with on harmonium, flute, marimba and ukulele. I also like being able to delve into cello- based loops deeper in Lovestorm, which is possible because I’m creating the main sound track. For Nina, this band provides an opportunity to showcase her own original songs and express herself on a more personal level than GBA in which she provides a more supportive role.
4. Tell me about the new album. What can people expect?
It is lush and pulsing with life, it is both a personal and spiritual journey through themes of love, appreciation for nature’s beauty and bounty, and a statement of gratitude for the blessings in our lives. These sentiments are expressed in both the lyrics and the music. The lyrics ride on trancy beats, multi-layered cello tracks, some wild and distorted leads, and the rich and organic sounds of harmonium blending into the mix. It is a truly unique sound, filled with both nuance and energy.
5. Is it just the two of you on the album or are there other musicians performing with you?
Just the two of us….. We recorded this at home over time, and you can feel the comfortable organic vibe in the music. We had it mixed by our friend Howard England who really took it to another level and squeezed everything he could out of our recorded tracks.
6. How will you be presenting the songs live? As a duo or with guests?
As a duo. I loop the cello live, and sometimes build cello tracks on top of pre-recorded beats. The cello has a great range from bass to high harmonics, so there are all kinds of sonic possibilities to make some cool music. Nina is highly expressive as she lays her heart on the line, and provides some really nice parts on her instruments as well.
7. What are the long-term plans for the band? Plenty of touring, or are you sticking close to home?
Right now we are taking gigs in the Maritimes, but sending our CD everywhere, looking for attention, finding a niche for our unique sound. Nina has some great new songs as well that we will want to record before too long. She spends winters in Mexico, where she finds her main inspiration for songs. Some she composes on the Uke, others she lays on top of music and ideas I send her by e-mail from the frozen north.
8. What song(s) or album(s) have you been listening to most lately?
Gotan Project, Olympic Symphonium, Memphis
Big fan of CBC Laurie Brown’s “the Signal.” She plays all kinds of obscure and wonderfully creative music that is on the fringe…… I really feed on anything I haven’t already “heard.”
9. What’s the next thing you want to accomplish, musically or otherwise?
We know we have something special. We want to share it with as many people as we can. It can take a lot of effort and time for any new musical entity to find its audience. We want to find those people, share our music with them, and enrich their lives with something beautiful and provocative.
Check back to EastCoastNoise.com next Friday for a chat with: Glory Glory Man United
