Lovestorm

It is a fairly known fact that music often becomes permanently connected to our psyche while literally becoming the soundtrack of our lives. With the good times and the bad, we often listen to music while reflecting and meditating, to party with, rage against, cry too, while making love, and dance. Music is truly an intimate medium that allows us to feel a form of expression vicariously through an artist. And if the artist is Lovestorm, the subtle complexity of the music, combined with deeply personal lyrics, form a unique brand of authenticity in their culmination of pop/world/electronic music and organic soul searching reflections on human relationships and the spirit – all this and very danceable! This is a new kind of club energy that would sound as good walking down the street, cranked out in your living room, or at a huge festival with glow sticks.

Lovestorm's new full length 'Free to Love' surprised me in its new direction upon first listen, but at the same time, it fits perfectly along the bands previous releases. The band is made up of partners Nina Khosla and Tim Issac who freely use their own life experiences' as a couple for creative inspiration. The last time I spoke with Nina was for the release of their catchy folk pop release 'Overripe', and she hinted that she wanted to make a dance record. And on 'Free to Love', Loverstorm deliver on what they promised. They have made an emotionally raw, extremely intimate, if not epic, dream pop record.

Nina Kholsa's gentle and sweet vocal style perfectly fit the upbeat energy found on the pop tracks. A constant heart beat, pulsating through the music, enhances the intimate nature of the music. When Tim Issac adds back up vocals and/or when Nina and Tim sing to each other...the band soars. There are moments when I can hear similarities to bands like Stars and Postal Service, but those bands do not have the intimacy heard in Lovestorm's music or their LIVE performance. In fact, you have to see them to believe it. Not only is their music deeply personal, their LIVE performance is captivating. Watching two people deeply in love, creating music in front of your eyes while Nina and Tim get lost in each other gazes, is a unique experienc and provides an organic experience on an electronic musical bed. Watching Nina dance and play keys, while Tim plays the Cello in staggeringly inventive ways, is astonishing.

“Free to Love' is truly a summer record and Lovestorm has created one of most addictive pop records of the year. These guys have a rich palette to work from and have brought something much needed in the music scene – a highly personal, inspired work of art that is incredibly danceable. My favourite tracks are Rejoice, Beauty, and I Want to be Your Angel. - CHSR's Tim Rayne

It is a fairly known fact that music often becomes permanently connected to our psyche while literally becoming the soundtrack of our lives. With the good times and the bad, we often listen to music while reflecting and meditating, to party with, rage against, cry too, while making love, and dance. Music is truly an intimate medium that allows us to feel a form of expression vicariously through an artist. And if the artist is Lovestorm, the subtle complexity of the music, combined with deeply personal lyrics, form a unique brand of authenticity in their culmination of pop/world/electronic music and organic soul searching reflections on human relationships and the spirit – all this and very danceable! This is a new kind of club energy that would sound as good walking down the street, cranked out in your living room, or at a huge festival with glow sticks.

Lovestorm's new full length 'Free to Love' surprised me in its new direction upon first listen, but at the same time, it fits perfectly along the bands previous releases. The band is made up of partners Nina Khosla and Tim Issac who freely use their own life experiences' as a couple for creative inspiration. The last time I spoke with Nina was for the release of their catchy folk pop release 'Overripe', and she hinted that she wanted to make a dance record. And on 'Free to Love', Loverstorm deliver on what they promised. They have made an emotionally raw, extremely intimate, if not epic, dream pop record.

Nina Kholsa's gentle and sweet vocal style perfectly fit the upbeat energy found on the pop tracks. A constant heart beat, pulsating through the music, enhances the intimate nature of the music. When Tim Issac adds back up vocals and/or when Nina and Tim sing to each other...the band soars. There are moments when I can hear similarities to bands like Stars and Postal Service, but those bands do not have the intimacy heard in Lovestorm's music or their LIVE performance. In fact, you have to see them to believe it. Not only is their music deeply personal, their LIVE performance is captivating. Watching two people deeply in love, creating music in front of your eyes while Nina and Tim get lost in each other gazes, is a unique experienc and provides an organic experience on an electronic musical bed. Watching Nina dance and play keys, while Tim plays the Cello in staggeringly inventive ways, is astonishing.

“Free to Love' is truly a summer record and Lovestorm has created one of most addictive pop records of the year. These guys have a rich palette to work from and have brought something much needed in the music scene – a highly personal, inspired work of art that is incredibly danceable. My favourite tracks are Rejoice, Beauty, and I Want to be Your Angel. - CHSR's Tim Rayne

Good solid dance beats reminiscent of retro girl - guy duos of the 80's / early 90's (ie. Human league and Everything But the Girl).
Nina sounds like Frente singer Angie Hart (sweeter, softer). Tim is more Philip Oakey (Human League - weightier, bold). Their voices blend really nicely.
I could hear trance music, ambient, chill / dream-like beauty. Overwhelmingly liberating and uplifting... (ie Robert Miles "Children")
Exquisite cello playing by Tim really adds to the natural flow of the electronic sound, setting it apart from their contemporary's. - Take Liberty - CBC Radio 1

Good solid dance beats reminiscent of retro girl - guy duos of the 80's / early 90's (ie. Human league and Everything But the Girl).
Nina sounds like Frente singer Angie Hart (sweeter, softer). Tim is more Philip Oakey (Human League - weightier, bold). Their voices blend really nicely.
I could hear trance music, ambient, chill / dream-like beauty. Overwhelmingly liberating and uplifting... (ie Robert Miles "Children")
Exquisite cello playing by Tim really adds to the natural flow of the electronic sound, setting it apart from their contemporary's. - Take Liberty - CBC Radio 1

June 10, 2013 - Musical duo Lovestorm is celebrating the launch of their third recording 'Free to Love' with CD release parties across New Brunswick, culminating in a free show at Moncton's Empress Theatre on Saturday June 22.

The new Lovestorm recording has been over a year in the making and sees these two artists forging new ground with their music. In the winter of 2012, the duo (Tim Isaac and Nina Khosla) rented a house in the sweaty beach town of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico. Over a period of two months, despite roosters and various other sonic intrusions, they managed to write and record most of what would become the album 'Free to Love'. Mexico has been a regular home during the winter months. We streaming “Rejoice” in our Soundcloud file.



At home in their rural New Horton, New Brunswick studio amid the distractions of daily life, they finished the recording. Sensing that it would be enhanced by a fresh and urban influence, they took it to up-and-coming Chilean-born producer Diego Medina to mend together their many tracks. 'Free to Love' was then sent to California, where it was mastered by April Golden of Golden Mastering. Local graphic artist Alex Frenette was chosen to design the album cover.

The sound of the recording as well as the current live show is a departure from previous work as it stems from Nina's beat-and-loop-based keyboard in tandem with Tim's lush orchestral cello arrangements. The lyrics of 'Free to Love' are fearless and speak directly to the heart and mind of the listener.

At the launches the duo will perform and the new recording will be available for purchase. They will also be showing photos of a recent trip to India as well as lyric videos for all of the new songs. New Lovestorm pottery will be on hand, as well as a signature 'Free to Love' scent in massage oil and spritzer format. Lovestorm's music and message appeal to many and all are welcome to attend. Lovestorm plans to release 10 videos in the next few week in conjunction with the new CD. Here is the first one below.

Lovestorm formed in 2009 and released their debut recording 'Great Ocean' shortly after, taking the Maritime music scene by surprise with their exotic and enchanting presence. They released 'Overripe' in 2011, written and recorded entirely in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. Lovestorm has received an ECMA nomination as well as nine Music New Brunswick nominations and have performed across the Maritimes at various festivals and events, including Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival, Deep Roots Festival and Evolve Festival.

Lovestorm continues to bring a modern soundtrack to the East Coast music scene. “Free To Love” would fit well in a motion picture. Tim and Nina’s music provides a relaxing refuge from today’s hectic lifestyle demands. - East Coast Kitchen Party

June 10, 2013 - Musical duo Lovestorm is celebrating the launch of their third recording 'Free to Love' with CD release parties across New Brunswick, culminating in a free show at Moncton's Empress Theatre on Saturday June 22.

The new Lovestorm recording has been over a year in the making and sees these two artists forging new ground with their music. In the winter of 2012, the duo (Tim Isaac and Nina Khosla) rented a house in the sweaty beach town of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico. Over a period of two months, despite roosters and various other sonic intrusions, they managed to write and record most of what would become the album 'Free to Love'. Mexico has been a regular home during the winter months. We streaming “Rejoice” in our Soundcloud file.



At home in their rural New Horton, New Brunswick studio amid the distractions of daily life, they finished the recording. Sensing that it would be enhanced by a fresh and urban influence, they took it to up-and-coming Chilean-born producer Diego Medina to mend together their many tracks. 'Free to Love' was then sent to California, where it was mastered by April Golden of Golden Mastering. Local graphic artist Alex Frenette was chosen to design the album cover.

The sound of the recording as well as the current live show is a departure from previous work as it stems from Nina's beat-and-loop-based keyboard in tandem with Tim's lush orchestral cello arrangements. The lyrics of 'Free to Love' are fearless and speak directly to the heart and mind of the listener.

At the launches the duo will perform and the new recording will be available for purchase. They will also be showing photos of a recent trip to India as well as lyric videos for all of the new songs. New Lovestorm pottery will be on hand, as well as a signature 'Free to Love' scent in massage oil and spritzer format. Lovestorm's music and message appeal to many and all are welcome to attend. Lovestorm plans to release 10 videos in the next few week in conjunction with the new CD. Here is the first one below.

Lovestorm formed in 2009 and released their debut recording 'Great Ocean' shortly after, taking the Maritime music scene by surprise with their exotic and enchanting presence. They released 'Overripe' in 2011, written and recorded entirely in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. Lovestorm has received an ECMA nomination as well as nine Music New Brunswick nominations and have performed across the Maritimes at various festivals and events, including Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival, Deep Roots Festival and Evolve Festival.

Lovestorm continues to bring a modern soundtrack to the East Coast music scene. “Free To Love” would fit well in a motion picture. Tim and Nina’s music provides a relaxing refuge from today’s hectic lifestyle demands. - East Coast Kitchen Party

Musical duo Lovestorm is celebrating the launch of their third recording 'Free to Love' with CD release parties across New Brunswick, culminating in a free show at Moncton's Empress Theatre on Saturday June 22.


The new Lovestorm recording has been over a year in the making and sees these two artists forging new ground with their music. In the winter of 2012, the duo (Tim Isaac and Nina Khosla) rented a house in the sweaty beach town of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico. Over a period of two months, despite roosters and various other sonic intrusions, they managed to write and record most of what would become the album 'Free to Love'.

At home in their rural New Horton, New Brunswick studio amid the distractions of daily life, they finished the recording. Sensing that it would be enhanced by a fresh and urban influence, they took it to up-and-coming Chilean-born producer Diego Medina to mend together their many tracks. 'Free to Love' was then sent to California, where it was mastered by April Golden of Golden Mastering. Local graphic artist Alex Frenette was chosen to design the album cover.

The sound of the recording as well as the current live show is a departure from previous work as it stems from Nina's beat-and-loop-based keyboard in tandem with Tim's lush orchestral cello arrangements. The lyrics of 'Free to Love' are fearless and speak directly to the heart and mind of the listener.

At the launches the duo will perform and the new recording will be available for purchase. They will also be showing photos of a recent trip to India as well as lyric videos for all of the new songs. New Lovestorm pottery will be on hand, as well as a signature 'Free to Love' scent in massage oil and spritzer format. Lovestorm's music and message appeal to many and all are welcome to attend.
- Sea and Be Scene

Musical duo Lovestorm is celebrating the launch of their third recording 'Free to Love' with CD release parties across New Brunswick, culminating in a free show at Moncton's Empress Theatre on Saturday June 22.


The new Lovestorm recording has been over a year in the making and sees these two artists forging new ground with their music. In the winter of 2012, the duo (Tim Isaac and Nina Khosla) rented a house in the sweaty beach town of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico. Over a period of two months, despite roosters and various other sonic intrusions, they managed to write and record most of what would become the album 'Free to Love'.

At home in their rural New Horton, New Brunswick studio amid the distractions of daily life, they finished the recording. Sensing that it would be enhanced by a fresh and urban influence, they took it to up-and-coming Chilean-born producer Diego Medina to mend together their many tracks. 'Free to Love' was then sent to California, where it was mastered by April Golden of Golden Mastering. Local graphic artist Alex Frenette was chosen to design the album cover.

The sound of the recording as well as the current live show is a departure from previous work as it stems from Nina's beat-and-loop-based keyboard in tandem with Tim's lush orchestral cello arrangements. The lyrics of 'Free to Love' are fearless and speak directly to the heart and mind of the listener.

At the launches the duo will perform and the new recording will be available for purchase. They will also be showing photos of a recent trip to India as well as lyric videos for all of the new songs. New Lovestorm pottery will be on hand, as well as a signature 'Free to Love' scent in massage oil and spritzer format. Lovestorm's music and message appeal to many and all are welcome to attend.
- Sea and Be Scene

NEW HORTON – Orchestral duo Lovestorm may be from small-town New Brunswick, but their new album, Free to Love, has an urban twist.
“I always wanted to make a dance album and so this album was sort of purposefully formed around beats and patterns and things that just make you want to move,” said Nina Khosla, the duo’s vocalist, lyricist and keyboardist.
Free to Love is different from their previous work, with beat-and-loop-based keyboard in tandem with lush orchestral cello arrangements and somewhat simpler lyrics.
“I felt like going down a path of being more direct with the lyrics and speaking to some of the issues or feelings that we might have, especially negative feelings that come up in people and how to respond to that,” she said.
Though the record may have a more urban vibe, the place where it was recorded was far from urban. Most of Free to Love was recorded in the sweaty beach town of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico. Khosla said she has been travelling to Mexico in the winter for the past eight years.
“Even though we live in the country and it’s quiet here, you’d think and we’d have all the space in the world to create and record, we’re actually quite busy here,” Khosla said. “When I go to Mexico, I’m not working and I’m more free from the daily distractions.”
Lovestorm’s other half, Tim Isaac, joined Khosla in Mexico. He said recording in that country was a surprising challenge.
“We thought that we were in a quiet neighbourhood, but actually, there isn’t a quiet neighbourhood in Mexico I don’t think,” he said.
With traffic, cement walls that bounce sound and windows that didn’t close, Isaac said the location left its mark on the album.
“In the recording, if people listen closely, there are actually roosters and a bit of traffic and there was some road construction,” he said.
After finishing up their recording in their home studio in New Horton, they sent their recordings to up-and-coming Chilean-born producer Diego Medina. Then, it was sent to California to be mastered by April Golden of Golden Mastering.
Despite the more electronic sound, Isaac said Free to Love has depth.
“It’s kind of a deep, flowing river that kind of entrances you and take you on an emotional journey,” he said. “It’s thick, it’s orchestral, it’s highly charged emotionally, it’s just got a lot of elements that could really hook the listener.”
Lovestorm will be releasing their new album with parties across New Brunswick, where the duo will perform and display photos from their recent trip to India. They will also be selling Lovestorm pottery and a signature Free to Love scent in massage oil or spritzer.
“We’re bringing our other interests into Lovestorm, and making it more of a whole thing. To not just be about the music, but to also be about the other things we do, like the videos and making Lovestorm pottery and I designed the Free to Love fragrance,” Kohsla said.
Isaac said Lovestorm takes a daring step, by breaking away from the normalcy of guitars, drums and bass.
“We’re proud of stepping out of the normal route and making a really thick, beautiful sound through other means,” he said.
Free to Love launch parties take place on Tuesday at Taco Pica in Saint John, Wednesday at Sunbury Shores in St. Andrews, Thursday at Cedar Tree Cafe in Fredericton and Saturday at Empress Theatre in Moncton. All parties start at 7:30 p.m. - Telegraph Journal

NEW HORTON – Orchestral duo Lovestorm may be from small-town New Brunswick, but their new album, Free to Love, has an urban twist.
“I always wanted to make a dance album and so this album was sort of purposefully formed around beats and patterns and things that just make you want to move,” said Nina Khosla, the duo’s vocalist, lyricist and keyboardist.
Free to Love is different from their previous work, with beat-and-loop-based keyboard in tandem with lush orchestral cello arrangements and somewhat simpler lyrics.
“I felt like going down a path of being more direct with the lyrics and speaking to some of the issues or feelings that we might have, especially negative feelings that come up in people and how to respond to that,” she said.
Though the record may have a more urban vibe, the place where it was recorded was far from urban. Most of Free to Love was recorded in the sweaty beach town of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico. Khosla said she has been travelling to Mexico in the winter for the past eight years.
“Even though we live in the country and it’s quiet here, you’d think and we’d have all the space in the world to create and record, we’re actually quite busy here,” Khosla said. “When I go to Mexico, I’m not working and I’m more free from the daily distractions.”
Lovestorm’s other half, Tim Isaac, joined Khosla in Mexico. He said recording in that country was a surprising challenge.
“We thought that we were in a quiet neighbourhood, but actually, there isn’t a quiet neighbourhood in Mexico I don’t think,” he said.
With traffic, cement walls that bounce sound and windows that didn’t close, Isaac said the location left its mark on the album.
“In the recording, if people listen closely, there are actually roosters and a bit of traffic and there was some road construction,” he said.
After finishing up their recording in their home studio in New Horton, they sent their recordings to up-and-coming Chilean-born producer Diego Medina. Then, it was sent to California to be mastered by April Golden of Golden Mastering.
Despite the more electronic sound, Isaac said Free to Love has depth.
“It’s kind of a deep, flowing river that kind of entrances you and take you on an emotional journey,” he said. “It’s thick, it’s orchestral, it’s highly charged emotionally, it’s just got a lot of elements that could really hook the listener.”
Lovestorm will be releasing their new album with parties across New Brunswick, where the duo will perform and display photos from their recent trip to India. They will also be selling Lovestorm pottery and a signature Free to Love scent in massage oil or spritzer.
“We’re bringing our other interests into Lovestorm, and making it more of a whole thing. To not just be about the music, but to also be about the other things we do, like the videos and making Lovestorm pottery and I designed the Free to Love fragrance,” Kohsla said.
Isaac said Lovestorm takes a daring step, by breaking away from the normalcy of guitars, drums and bass.
“We’re proud of stepping out of the normal route and making a really thick, beautiful sound through other means,” he said.
Free to Love launch parties take place on Tuesday at Taco Pica in Saint John, Wednesday at Sunbury Shores in St. Andrews, Thursday at Cedar Tree Cafe in Fredericton and Saturday at Empress Theatre in Moncton. All parties start at 7:30 p.m. - Telegraph Journal

After more than a year in the making, Moncton exotic pop band Lovestorm is finally ready to release their third full-length effort. The duo of Nina Khosla and Tim Isaac celebrate the release of Free To Love with a free performance at Moncton’s Empress Theatre Saturday evening.

The evolution of Lovestorm’s sound has been deliberate yet gradual in the years since their 2009 debut album Great Ocean. Naturally, the way that the duo has made their records and written their songs has also evolved as the years have passed.

“The evolution of the songs is always exciting to see,” Khosla begins. “Writing is a little bit nerve-wracking for me but when a song starts to come together, it is so satisfying.

“To make the songs featured on Great Ocean, our debut CD, Tim sent me musical loops by email and I wrote lyrics on top of them. For Overripe, I wrote the songs on ukulele while on Free to Love, I wrote the songs over beats and loops that I created. I knew that I wanted to make a dance album and so I brought my keyboard to Mexico. As I began writing, I found some themes were emerging and I began to discover what the album was going to be about and what these songs as a whole were trying to say.”

Free To Love is not the first time that Khosla and Isaac recorded new music outside of Canada; their sophomore record Overripe was written and recorded in its entirety in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. Seeing that the writing and recording process had gone so well for them with that record, there was really no reason Free To Love couldn’t follow the same path.

“I have been songwriting in Mexico for five or six years now,” Khosla says. “I quickly discovered that I love being in tropical Mexico and that being there is conducive to writing for me. There are so many fewer distractions when recording away from home. It is great to get into a project and not get pulled away over and over. That having been said, we definitely faced some challenges with recording in Mexico, the biggest one being the outside noise. The sounds of the surf, traffic, school bell, kids and mariachi were bouncing around the house. We had to resort to putting throw pillows in all of the window-like openings and shut all the doors and even after that, some sounds still got through.”

Once recording on Free To Love had wrapped up, Khosla and her Lovestorm partner Isaac recognized that calling in an outside person to bring the record together in the mixing process was going to be a necessity. They subsequently enlisted the help of Chilean-born producer Diego Medina.

“This record was definitely more ambitious and we really didn’t have the nerve or patience to take on mixing the record ourselves,” Nina says. “We wanted to bring in someone who could sort it all out and make it sound big. Handing over your project to someone else always feels like a bit of a risk but we are very pleased with Diego’s work.”

Article published in the June 21, 2013 edition of The Times & Transcript - Times and Transcript / The Music Nerd Chronicles

After more than a year in the making, Moncton exotic pop band Lovestorm is finally ready to release their third full-length effort. The duo of Nina Khosla and Tim Isaac celebrate the release of Free To Love with a free performance at Moncton’s Empress Theatre Saturday evening.

The evolution of Lovestorm’s sound has been deliberate yet gradual in the years since their 2009 debut album Great Ocean. Naturally, the way that the duo has made their records and written their songs has also evolved as the years have passed.

“The evolution of the songs is always exciting to see,” Khosla begins. “Writing is a little bit nerve-wracking for me but when a song starts to come together, it is so satisfying.

“To make the songs featured on Great Ocean, our debut CD, Tim sent me musical loops by email and I wrote lyrics on top of them. For Overripe, I wrote the songs on ukulele while on Free to Love, I wrote the songs over beats and loops that I created. I knew that I wanted to make a dance album and so I brought my keyboard to Mexico. As I began writing, I found some themes were emerging and I began to discover what the album was going to be about and what these songs as a whole were trying to say.”

Free To Love is not the first time that Khosla and Isaac recorded new music outside of Canada; their sophomore record Overripe was written and recorded in its entirety in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. Seeing that the writing and recording process had gone so well for them with that record, there was really no reason Free To Love couldn’t follow the same path.

“I have been songwriting in Mexico for five or six years now,” Khosla says. “I quickly discovered that I love being in tropical Mexico and that being there is conducive to writing for me. There are so many fewer distractions when recording away from home. It is great to get into a project and not get pulled away over and over. That having been said, we definitely faced some challenges with recording in Mexico, the biggest one being the outside noise. The sounds of the surf, traffic, school bell, kids and mariachi were bouncing around the house. We had to resort to putting throw pillows in all of the window-like openings and shut all the doors and even after that, some sounds still got through.”

Once recording on Free To Love had wrapped up, Khosla and her Lovestorm partner Isaac recognized that calling in an outside person to bring the record together in the mixing process was going to be a necessity. They subsequently enlisted the help of Chilean-born producer Diego Medina.

“This record was definitely more ambitious and we really didn’t have the nerve or patience to take on mixing the record ourselves,” Nina says. “We wanted to bring in someone who could sort it all out and make it sound big. Handing over your project to someone else always feels like a bit of a risk but we are very pleased with Diego’s work.”

Article published in the June 21, 2013 edition of The Times & Transcript - Times and Transcript / The Music Nerd Chronicles

It's always interesting to watch the development of a group which is full of ideas and ready to follow the muse where it takes them. That's certainly the story of Albert County's Lovestorm, as unique a duo that's ever come out of the province. They started as a couple, who were also a couple of musicians: Tim Isaac, the cellist from the folk blues duo Isaac and Blewett, and Nina Khosla, the bass player in the pop band Great Balancing Act. Wanting to create something new together, their 2009 debut as Lovestorm, Great Ocean, surprised everyone who heard it. Khosla is the main vocalist and lyricist, and plays keyboards, while Isaac brought not just his cello, but also started programming loops, sounds and percussion. The theme of the group was just as bold: they sang life-affirming, love-affirming lyrics, both intimate and personal, and about the broader world, with a connection to the environment, nature and the senses. It was as positive as could be.

Now they are three albums into the project, with the new Free To Love. The pair has really honed their sound, and lyrics as well. The song productions are bigger, with the electronic and percussion elements now the major component of each. Well, that and the cello, and that's what makes them unique. This is orchestral, electro pop music, the keys, beats and loops as cool as any European techno group, but with the added interest of that cello providing such beautiful lines on top, mostly playing great fills, answering the vocals and melody. Vocally, Khosla has become more daring, a little tougher than what she's done in the past, finding more energy. There are fewer atmospheric songs here, and more electronic, with dance grooves. Khosla picks up on that, and gets more adventurous and upbeat. I think these are all improvements, this album is their most cohesive, and pulls off a tricky move. It's put the duo closer to the techno-pop scene, fitting them in, but at the same time they've retained their individuality, with the cello as main instrument, and the positive force in the lyrics a concept that stands out.

Now as for the words, this is also the best set of the three albums. In the past, I've picked on the lyrics as possibly over-the-top in sincerity and simplistic in delivery, like a Sesame Street song and lesson. The message is still the same, love one another, love yourself, respect each other and the planet, but the writing is more mature, more poetic and in-depth. I'm all for that. I think the life lessons still come out, and you pay more attention. Both Khosla and Isaac have really stepped up to the plate.

Lovestorm are about to launch the new disc with a series of shows in the province. It starts off next Tuesday night, June 18, at Taco Pica in Saint John. Next Wednesday they'll be at Sunbury Shores in St. Andrews. Thursday the 20th it's Fredericton's Cedar Tree Cafe, and on Saturday June 22nd, they'll be in Moncton, at the Empress Theatre for the the final CD release show - East Coast Music with Bob Mersereau

It's always interesting to watch the development of a group which is full of ideas and ready to follow the muse where it takes them. That's certainly the story of Albert County's Lovestorm, as unique a duo that's ever come out of the province. They started as a couple, who were also a couple of musicians: Tim Isaac, the cellist from the folk blues duo Isaac and Blewett, and Nina Khosla, the bass player in the pop band Great Balancing Act. Wanting to create something new together, their 2009 debut as Lovestorm, Great Ocean, surprised everyone who heard it. Khosla is the main vocalist and lyricist, and plays keyboards, while Isaac brought not just his cello, but also started programming loops, sounds and percussion. The theme of the group was just as bold: they sang life-affirming, love-affirming lyrics, both intimate and personal, and about the broader world, with a connection to the environment, nature and the senses. It was as positive as could be.

Now they are three albums into the project, with the new Free To Love. The pair has really honed their sound, and lyrics as well. The song productions are bigger, with the electronic and percussion elements now the major component of each. Well, that and the cello, and that's what makes them unique. This is orchestral, electro pop music, the keys, beats and loops as cool as any European techno group, but with the added interest of that cello providing such beautiful lines on top, mostly playing great fills, answering the vocals and melody. Vocally, Khosla has become more daring, a little tougher than what she's done in the past, finding more energy. There are fewer atmospheric songs here, and more electronic, with dance grooves. Khosla picks up on that, and gets more adventurous and upbeat. I think these are all improvements, this album is their most cohesive, and pulls off a tricky move. It's put the duo closer to the techno-pop scene, fitting them in, but at the same time they've retained their individuality, with the cello as main instrument, and the positive force in the lyrics a concept that stands out.

Now as for the words, this is also the best set of the three albums. In the past, I've picked on the lyrics as possibly over-the-top in sincerity and simplistic in delivery, like a Sesame Street song and lesson. The message is still the same, love one another, love yourself, respect each other and the planet, but the writing is more mature, more poetic and in-depth. I'm all for that. I think the life lessons still come out, and you pay more attention. Both Khosla and Isaac have really stepped up to the plate.

Lovestorm are about to launch the new disc with a series of shows in the province. It starts off next Tuesday night, June 18, at Taco Pica in Saint John. Next Wednesday they'll be at Sunbury Shores in St. Andrews. Thursday the 20th it's Fredericton's Cedar Tree Cafe, and on Saturday June 22nd, they'll be in Moncton, at the Empress Theatre for the the final CD release show - East Coast Music with Bob Mersereau

Sometimes in life, the best things come from places that you do not anticipate them coming from. Innovative duo Lovestorm found this out firsthand when they decamped to Mexico for some rest and relaxation last winter.

Their winter vacation destination ended up helping to birth the Moncton's group's newest effort, Overripe, the release of which is being celebrated this evening at Café Aberdeen, located in the Aberdeen Cultural Centre in downtown Moncton.

Lovestorm's Nina Khosla says that she has typically used her Mexican winter retreat for songwriting and relaxation purposes over the past few years. This past winter, her Lovestorm partner Tim Isaac ended up joining her for a month, so before leaving Canada, the duo decided that they would try their hand at recording in their tropical destination. Khosla and Isaac ended up bringing along some of the necessary recording and musical equipment in order to aid them in the making of Overripe.

"We were both a little skeptical that we could actually write and record a whole record there but that is what ended up happening," Khosla says.

Despite the absence of the duo's trademark instruments of the cello and the harmonimum, Khosla and Isaac ended up using a number of non-conventional instruments such as seedpods, an improvised washtub bass, tin pans and more, which complemented the group's use of ukulele, flute and keyboards. The result is an acoustic, intimate recording that features infectiously upbeat songs.

"I was in Mexico for nine weeks prior to Tim's arrival and had written a good batch of songs on ukulele and keyboard before he arrived," she continues. "It was when he arrived that the real fun began as we started writing songs together with Tim coming up with grooves made from tin pan percussion and other items that he found on the street."

With momentum picking up by the moment, Khosla and Isaac soon converted one of the two bedrooms in their apartment into a makeshift studio which ended up inadvertently presenting its own set of challenges.

"The apartment was located so closely to the water that we had to close the doors to the room because the sound of the waves was so deafening! But then that made the room unbearably hot; we would actually take turns recording in there because of it."

Asked whether being out of their "comfort zone" and without their standard instruments negatively impacted the recording sessions, Khosla insists that couldn't be farther from the truth.

"We worked hard to make the record, yet our lifestyle while in Mexico was actually pretty relaxed. Every day we were there, we would make time for the beach and yoga.

"But it was exciting for us to be away from home with so little in terms of the gear we had to work with," Khosla says. "It was great to have Tim to roam the markets to find the percussive instruments that we ended up using on the record but it was also exciting to have him play the viola, an instrument that he knew very little about going into the making of the record. It was neat to have no idea of what we would come up with and how the songs would sound until we actually did it. The record ended up revealing itself to us while we were making it."

* Ken Kelley is a Moncton-based writer, music fanatic and author of the entertainment blog www.musicnerd.ca

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What: Lovestorm CD Release for Overripe
When: Tonight, 8 p.m.
Where: Café Aberdeen, located in the Aberdeen Cultural Centre, 140 Bostford Street, Moncton - Times and Transcript

Sometimes in life, the best things come from places that you do not anticipate them coming from. Innovative duo Lovestorm found this out firsthand when they decamped to Mexico for some rest and relaxation last winter.

Their winter vacation destination ended up helping to birth the Moncton's group's newest effort, Overripe, the release of which is being celebrated this evening at Café Aberdeen, located in the Aberdeen Cultural Centre in downtown Moncton.

Lovestorm's Nina Khosla says that she has typically used her Mexican winter retreat for songwriting and relaxation purposes over the past few years. This past winter, her Lovestorm partner Tim Isaac ended up joining her for a month, so before leaving Canada, the duo decided that they would try their hand at recording in their tropical destination. Khosla and Isaac ended up bringing along some of the necessary recording and musical equipment in order to aid them in the making of Overripe.

"We were both a little skeptical that we could actually write and record a whole record there but that is what ended up happening," Khosla says.

Despite the absence of the duo's trademark instruments of the cello and the harmonimum, Khosla and Isaac ended up using a number of non-conventional instruments such as seedpods, an improvised washtub bass, tin pans and more, which complemented the group's use of ukulele, flute and keyboards. The result is an acoustic, intimate recording that features infectiously upbeat songs.

"I was in Mexico for nine weeks prior to Tim's arrival and had written a good batch of songs on ukulele and keyboard before he arrived," she continues. "It was when he arrived that the real fun began as we started writing songs together with Tim coming up with grooves made from tin pan percussion and other items that he found on the street."

With momentum picking up by the moment, Khosla and Isaac soon converted one of the two bedrooms in their apartment into a makeshift studio which ended up inadvertently presenting its own set of challenges.

"The apartment was located so closely to the water that we had to close the doors to the room because the sound of the waves was so deafening! But then that made the room unbearably hot; we would actually take turns recording in there because of it."

Asked whether being out of their "comfort zone" and without their standard instruments negatively impacted the recording sessions, Khosla insists that couldn't be farther from the truth.

"We worked hard to make the record, yet our lifestyle while in Mexico was actually pretty relaxed. Every day we were there, we would make time for the beach and yoga.

"But it was exciting for us to be away from home with so little in terms of the gear we had to work with," Khosla says. "It was great to have Tim to roam the markets to find the percussive instruments that we ended up using on the record but it was also exciting to have him play the viola, an instrument that he knew very little about going into the making of the record. It was neat to have no idea of what we would come up with and how the songs would sound until we actually did it. The record ended up revealing itself to us while we were making it."

* Ken Kelley is a Moncton-based writer, music fanatic and author of the entertainment blog www.musicnerd.ca

----

What: Lovestorm CD Release for Overripe
When: Tonight, 8 p.m.
Where: Café Aberdeen, located in the Aberdeen Cultural Centre, 140 Bostford Street, Moncton - Times and Transcript

Saint John, NB – October 10 2011 – Lovestorm have produced another tremendous sounding record that should catch the attention of anyone seeking a relaxing sound at the beach. Their sophomore CD ‘Overripe’, was written and recorded in tropical Puerto Escondido, Mexico.

After years of experience in other popular East Coast bands, Tim Isaac and Nina Khosla joined musical forces in 2009 to form something completely new: Lovestorm. They released their debut CD ‘Great Ocean’ in the spring of 2010, garnering nominations from both the East Coast Music Association and Music New Brunswick for Pop Recording of the Year, as well as MNB nominations for Folk Recording, Group Recording, Spiritual Recording and Video of the Year (Great Ocean).

We spoke to Tim recently to discuss what went into making the album. You can listen to our interview below on the Soundcloud file.

The recording environment would be a dream comes true for many musicians. They prepared a video to document the recording and it is available for viewing below.

For many years, Tim has been a member of the award winning Issac and Blewett while Nina also performs in Great Balancing Act. Lovestorm is currently performing in many East Coast venues with their new CD. They are also nominated for this year’s Music New Brunswick Awards and you’ll probably hear more from them at during the East Coast Music Awards in Moncton in April. - East Coast Kitchen Party

Saint John, NB – October 10 2011 – Lovestorm have produced another tremendous sounding record that should catch the attention of anyone seeking a relaxing sound at the beach. Their sophomore CD ‘Overripe’, was written and recorded in tropical Puerto Escondido, Mexico.

After years of experience in other popular East Coast bands, Tim Isaac and Nina Khosla joined musical forces in 2009 to form something completely new: Lovestorm. They released their debut CD ‘Great Ocean’ in the spring of 2010, garnering nominations from both the East Coast Music Association and Music New Brunswick for Pop Recording of the Year, as well as MNB nominations for Folk Recording, Group Recording, Spiritual Recording and Video of the Year (Great Ocean).

We spoke to Tim recently to discuss what went into making the album. You can listen to our interview below on the Soundcloud file.

The recording environment would be a dream comes true for many musicians. They prepared a video to document the recording and it is available for viewing below.

For many years, Tim has been a member of the award winning Issac and Blewett while Nina also performs in Great Balancing Act. Lovestorm is currently performing in many East Coast venues with their new CD. They are also nominated for this year’s Music New Brunswick Awards and you’ll probably hear more from them at during the East Coast Music Awards in Moncton in April. - East Coast Kitchen Party

Moncton area duo Lovestorm, comprised of Tim Isaac (Isaac & Blewett) and Nina Khosla (Great Balancing Act), is releasing its sophomore record this weekend with shows throughout Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick (tour dates below).

Written and recorded in the sweltering heat of Mexico’s Pacific Coast, new album Overripe finds the musicians without their trademark instruments (cello and harmonium). Instead, Isaac and Khosla rely on seedpods, an improvised washtub bass, tin pans and a borrowed viola, as well as ukulele, flute and keyboard.

They join us this week to discuss the new record and more …

1. How are things in camp Lovestorm? How do you feel as you’re about to release album #2 this weekend?

Nina - Things in Camp Lovestorm are exciting! Our second album is finally done and now it will be out in the world. There is a satisfaction in having completed a project. I’m eager to get on to the next thing now! I feel like there are so many possibilities of where we can go from here.

Tim - We feel we’re on a creative roll on several fronts. The music is obvious, but we’re getting more immersed all the time in the visual side of our creativity… videos, Nina’s impressive graphic work that shows up on our websites and posters, even a line of ‘Lovestorm Pottery’ is expanding, pottery that ties in strongly to our music, lyrics and vibe.

2. Tell us about the making of the album – how did you wind up writing/recording in Mexico and how did it impact the songs?

Nina - I’ve been going to Mexico for the last few winters, always taking the time away to work on songwriting. This year, Tim went to join me for a whole month. I had rented this great place right on the ocean, salty sea-breeze wafting through the apartment and sunset views. I had brought my ukulele (as usual) and a little keyboard. I had written a bunch of songs by the time Tim arrived, armed with a recording mic, viola and his pedals. We knew we were going to try and write together and record, but we didn’t know it would be so fruitful. By the time we left the place, the whole album was conceived of and recorded. The songs definitely reflect the place we were in, through images as well as sensory experiences.

Tim - More than joining Nina in Mexico, I was entering her world. I quickly began to feel and sense the things that inspire her to return to that area of the Pacific Coast. Our formula for writing and recording has generally been with Nina writing the lyrics and often the melody, and me sometimes writing the music, but usually arranging, amplifying and building on her themes. Being in this location certainly flavoured the lyrics, arrangements and instrumentation.

3. The press release says you were “undaunted” at the prospect of working without your usual instruments – but was it a little strange at first?

Nina - I love the cello, harmonium sound that we’ve developed in the last couple years. I really wanted Tim to bring his cello, and when he didn’t want to, I actually asked around in Puerto to see if I could rent one. It didn’t work out though. It actually wasn’t that strange to not have our usual instruments. I really focused on my songwriting (in English, as well as Spanish). Tim managed to make beautiful arrangements with the viola, did some crazy electric uke playing and found some things in the market to bring home and bang on for percussion. It probably forced us to be more creative.

Tim - I thoroughly enjoyed exploring making music in new ways. It was challenging but really rewarding to feel songs find their groove in unexpected ways. I was happy not to have the cello for a change, and it was a lesson for me to be more aware of the many varying routes a song can take, and they can all potentially bring a song to a satisfying completion.

4. How will you bring the songs to life on the stage with such a wide variety of instruments on the record? Is that a challenge?

Nina - Bringing the songs to life on stage is a challenge, but it’s fun! In the last week, we’ve ‘learned’ five of the songs on the album (we’ve already been playing three of them in our shows). Both Tim and I are up for playing different instruments. So far, we don’t feel limited to a certain Lovestorm ’sound’.

Tim - While we won’t have all the instruments along that went into the recording, I feel the songs stand up really well. We’ve arranged them a little differently for the live show, and it has also been enjoyable to see how best to capture their essence and emotion. Don’t forget we can make a mighty big sound for a duo, and with a few loops here and there, beats, and atmospheric effects, I think the new songs are sounding great live.

5. What is the significance of the album title, Overripe?

Nina - Puerto Escondido (the beach town we were in) is a tropical place. It’s hot and humid. The air is thick, the smells are strong, the salt is sticky, there are papayas and mangos. The night breeze feels very sensual on the skin. The word - East Coast Noise

Moncton area duo Lovestorm, comprised of Tim Isaac (Isaac & Blewett) and Nina Khosla (Great Balancing Act), is releasing its sophomore record this weekend with shows throughout Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick (tour dates below).

Written and recorded in the sweltering heat of Mexico’s Pacific Coast, new album Overripe finds the musicians without their trademark instruments (cello and harmonium). Instead, Isaac and Khosla rely on seedpods, an improvised washtub bass, tin pans and a borrowed viola, as well as ukulele, flute and keyboard.

They join us this week to discuss the new record and more …

1. How are things in camp Lovestorm? How do you feel as you’re about to release album #2 this weekend?

Nina - Things in Camp Lovestorm are exciting! Our second album is finally done and now it will be out in the world. There is a satisfaction in having completed a project. I’m eager to get on to the next thing now! I feel like there are so many possibilities of where we can go from here.

Tim - We feel we’re on a creative roll on several fronts. The music is obvious, but we’re getting more immersed all the time in the visual side of our creativity… videos, Nina’s impressive graphic work that shows up on our websites and posters, even a line of ‘Lovestorm Pottery’ is expanding, pottery that ties in strongly to our music, lyrics and vibe.

2. Tell us about the making of the album – how did you wind up writing/recording in Mexico and how did it impact the songs?

Nina - I’ve been going to Mexico for the last few winters, always taking the time away to work on songwriting. This year, Tim went to join me for a whole month. I had rented this great place right on the ocean, salty sea-breeze wafting through the apartment and sunset views. I had brought my ukulele (as usual) and a little keyboard. I had written a bunch of songs by the time Tim arrived, armed with a recording mic, viola and his pedals. We knew we were going to try and write together and record, but we didn’t know it would be so fruitful. By the time we left the place, the whole album was conceived of and recorded. The songs definitely reflect the place we were in, through images as well as sensory experiences.

Tim - More than joining Nina in Mexico, I was entering her world. I quickly began to feel and sense the things that inspire her to return to that area of the Pacific Coast. Our formula for writing and recording has generally been with Nina writing the lyrics and often the melody, and me sometimes writing the music, but usually arranging, amplifying and building on her themes. Being in this location certainly flavoured the lyrics, arrangements and instrumentation.

3. The press release says you were “undaunted” at the prospect of working without your usual instruments – but was it a little strange at first?

Nina - I love the cello, harmonium sound that we’ve developed in the last couple years. I really wanted Tim to bring his cello, and when he didn’t want to, I actually asked around in Puerto to see if I could rent one. It didn’t work out though. It actually wasn’t that strange to not have our usual instruments. I really focused on my songwriting (in English, as well as Spanish). Tim managed to make beautiful arrangements with the viola, did some crazy electric uke playing and found some things in the market to bring home and bang on for percussion. It probably forced us to be more creative.

Tim - I thoroughly enjoyed exploring making music in new ways. It was challenging but really rewarding to feel songs find their groove in unexpected ways. I was happy not to have the cello for a change, and it was a lesson for me to be more aware of the many varying routes a song can take, and they can all potentially bring a song to a satisfying completion.

4. How will you bring the songs to life on the stage with such a wide variety of instruments on the record? Is that a challenge?

Nina - Bringing the songs to life on stage is a challenge, but it’s fun! In the last week, we’ve ‘learned’ five of the songs on the album (we’ve already been playing three of them in our shows). Both Tim and I are up for playing different instruments. So far, we don’t feel limited to a certain Lovestorm ’sound’.

Tim - While we won’t have all the instruments along that went into the recording, I feel the songs stand up really well. We’ve arranged them a little differently for the live show, and it has also been enjoyable to see how best to capture their essence and emotion. Don’t forget we can make a mighty big sound for a duo, and with a few loops here and there, beats, and atmospheric effects, I think the new songs are sounding great live.

5. What is the significance of the album title, Overripe?

Nina - Puerto Escondido (the beach town we were in) is a tropical place. It’s hot and humid. The air is thick, the smells are strong, the salt is sticky, there are papayas and mangos. The night breeze feels very sensual on the skin. The word - East Coast Noise

When East Coast Artists Tim Isaac and Nina Khosla joined forces to create Lovestorm back in 2009 there was no denying the musical chemistry.

Their debut album Great Ocean scored multiple ECMA and Music New Brunswick awards including 4 more MNB Award nominations this year – for Group, Folk Recording, Spiritual Recording and Video of the Year…sweet!

The great news continues as Lovestorm releases their sophomore project Overripe to rave reviews.

Written and recorded in tropical Puerto Escondido, Mexico – Nina and Tim once again used the ocean for inspiration and whatever they could find as instruments. As the video above explains - the overdub sessions made for some pretty ingenious discoveries in sound recording. Great fun!

Of course you will find Tim’s truly stellar strings along with Nina’s expressively dreamy vocals and all of the other traditional instruments they command – but when you mix it all together…these new songs created by Lovestorm make Overripe very fresh indeed! - Sea and be Scene

When East Coast Artists Tim Isaac and Nina Khosla joined forces to create Lovestorm back in 2009 there was no denying the musical chemistry.

Their debut album Great Ocean scored multiple ECMA and Music New Brunswick awards including 4 more MNB Award nominations this year – for Group, Folk Recording, Spiritual Recording and Video of the Year…sweet!

The great news continues as Lovestorm releases their sophomore project Overripe to rave reviews.

Written and recorded in tropical Puerto Escondido, Mexico – Nina and Tim once again used the ocean for inspiration and whatever they could find as instruments. As the video above explains - the overdub sessions made for some pretty ingenious discoveries in sound recording. Great fun!

Of course you will find Tim’s truly stellar strings along with Nina’s expressively dreamy vocals and all of the other traditional instruments they command – but when you mix it all together…these new songs created by Lovestorm make Overripe very fresh indeed! - Sea and be Scene

If you haven't heard of Lovestorm yet, the tale of the band is one of the most interesting stories these days in New Brunswick music. It's a music story, a love story, a travel story, an adventure, a partnership, it takes place in two countries, from the beaches of the Bay of Fundy to the beaches of Mexico. It stars members of two of New Brunswick's longest-standing groups, but with sounds you'd never expect from them. It's a crazy dream from a couple of crazy Albert County kids, grabbing hold of some joy and trying to spread it around. It's the kind of story you might see on the Lifetime Network, too. I might have to turn this column into a screenplay.

Okay, it begins like all the rest of the good ones, boy meets girl, in this case, it's Tim Isaac of pastoral blues-folk duo Isaac and Blewett. Tim's the quiet one on the cello, who doesn't sing that much. And Nina Khosla is the bass player in Moncton's Great Balancing Act, the fun and funky group that's the darling of festival gigs and pop shows. They became a couple but after awhile realized that with their individual music projects, they didn't spend all that much time together. So they got the idea to collaborate. Nina had songs she had written but didn't fit Great Balancing Act, and Tim was keen on experimenting where he could take the cello, and to try more instruments and production techniques. Their debut disc unveiled the premise. The whole idea was to make simple and beautiful statements, with the words and music. Nina's desire was that the songs function on a spiritual level, as affirmations or mantras if you will. There would be no irony, and it wasn't pretentious, it was to celebrate life's moments. She would write about nature, weather, the ocean, love, the senses, friendship. For their debut disc, and live in concert, Tim used a lot of effects, and prepared sounds, ready to be triggered on stage, and used to augment his cello.

Now, the new album, Overripe, continues the story, and adds to the adventures.. The duo, the couple, ran into another impediment to collaboration and cohabitation. Nina has connections to Mexico and lives there a few months each winter. Of course Tim wanted to get there too, after shoveling a little too much Albert County snow. And they were going to make music if that happened. However, the beach house on the ocean, while beautiful, was no recording studio. So Tim had to set it up as such, getting the gear together. Even getting instruments was hard enough. He couldn't bring the cello, as it would need another seat and ticket. So he downsized to viola. No bass guitar, instead she plays the light and small ukelele. Instead of all the percussion techniques and tools on hand, he had to improvise. Plastic water bottles, even his bare chest were used to beat on. Nina's flute adds a lot of south seas atmosphere as well. And since they write so much about nature, on some of the songs you can purposefully hear the sound of the ocean outside their window, scored into the recording just as much as you'd add a guitar part.

Nina is the main singer, with Tim joining in an occasion. Together they have a kind of Nancy Sinatra-Lee Hazlewood thing going. Mostly though, Nina coos throughout, with an almost child-like simplicity. Some of the songs may be a bit too precious, with Talk To Me Creatures about the albatrosses and baby geckos and crabs she sees on the beach, and wanting to chat with them. That's a little too Sesame Street. But others work in their simple discourse on trust, and relationship. That's the whole Lovestorm idea, I think we all know there are tough moments along with the tender ones, and those songs get to the heart of the matter. - East Coast Music with Bob Mersereau

If you haven't heard of Lovestorm yet, the tale of the band is one of the most interesting stories these days in New Brunswick music. It's a music story, a love story, a travel story, an adventure, a partnership, it takes place in two countries, from the beaches of the Bay of Fundy to the beaches of Mexico. It stars members of two of New Brunswick's longest-standing groups, but with sounds you'd never expect from them. It's a crazy dream from a couple of crazy Albert County kids, grabbing hold of some joy and trying to spread it around. It's the kind of story you might see on the Lifetime Network, too. I might have to turn this column into a screenplay.

Okay, it begins like all the rest of the good ones, boy meets girl, in this case, it's Tim Isaac of pastoral blues-folk duo Isaac and Blewett. Tim's the quiet one on the cello, who doesn't sing that much. And Nina Khosla is the bass player in Moncton's Great Balancing Act, the fun and funky group that's the darling of festival gigs and pop shows. They became a couple but after awhile realized that with their individual music projects, they didn't spend all that much time together. So they got the idea to collaborate. Nina had songs she had written but didn't fit Great Balancing Act, and Tim was keen on experimenting where he could take the cello, and to try more instruments and production techniques. Their debut disc unveiled the premise. The whole idea was to make simple and beautiful statements, with the words and music. Nina's desire was that the songs function on a spiritual level, as affirmations or mantras if you will. There would be no irony, and it wasn't pretentious, it was to celebrate life's moments. She would write about nature, weather, the ocean, love, the senses, friendship. For their debut disc, and live in concert, Tim used a lot of effects, and prepared sounds, ready to be triggered on stage, and used to augment his cello.

Now, the new album, Overripe, continues the story, and adds to the adventures.. The duo, the couple, ran into another impediment to collaboration and cohabitation. Nina has connections to Mexico and lives there a few months each winter. Of course Tim wanted to get there too, after shoveling a little too much Albert County snow. And they were going to make music if that happened. However, the beach house on the ocean, while beautiful, was no recording studio. So Tim had to set it up as such, getting the gear together. Even getting instruments was hard enough. He couldn't bring the cello, as it would need another seat and ticket. So he downsized to viola. No bass guitar, instead she plays the light and small ukelele. Instead of all the percussion techniques and tools on hand, he had to improvise. Plastic water bottles, even his bare chest were used to beat on. Nina's flute adds a lot of south seas atmosphere as well. And since they write so much about nature, on some of the songs you can purposefully hear the sound of the ocean outside their window, scored into the recording just as much as you'd add a guitar part.

Nina is the main singer, with Tim joining in an occasion. Together they have a kind of Nancy Sinatra-Lee Hazlewood thing going. Mostly though, Nina coos throughout, with an almost child-like simplicity. Some of the songs may be a bit too precious, with Talk To Me Creatures about the albatrosses and baby geckos and crabs she sees on the beach, and wanting to chat with them. That's a little too Sesame Street. But others work in their simple discourse on trust, and relationship. That's the whole Lovestorm idea, I think we all know there are tough moments along with the tender ones, and those songs get to the heart of the matter. - East Coast Music with Bob Mersereau

(excerpt)
"Musically, they're a fertile force of beauty..." - Brunswickan

(excerpt)
"Musically, they're a fertile force of beauty..." - Brunswickan

Some of the best things in life are free.

Lovestorm takes to Riverview's Caseley Park stage on August 10.

The Town of Riverview will kick-off its 2011 free outdoor concert series at the Caseley Park Bandstand early next month. This is the fifth year for the concerts held each Wednesday night from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. during the months of July and August.

Riverview Parks and Recreation youth and community co-ordinator Paulette Tingley says a talented line-up of eight local artists will be showcased at the bandstand this year, including Juno Award-winning sisters Karen and Maureen Ennis, New Orleans blues band Dixieland Ramblers, the Codiac Concert Band, singer and flautist Nuala Kennedy, well-known East Coast musicians Nina Khosia and Tim Isaac of Lovestorm, Maritime sensations the Jared Lutz Band, fiddler Samantha Robichaud and children's performers Shelley Bean & The Duckety Muds.

The concerts were initially held at the Gazebo on the Riverview waterfront but were later moved to the bandstand due to space restrictions. Paulette says there's always an abundance of artists and musicians interested in performing at the concerts which are sponsored by the Town of Riverview Parks and Recreation department. The shows typically attract large crowds which in the event of inclement weather, are held indoors at 145 Lakeside Drive behind the Byron Dobson arena.

With the exception of the Codiac Concert Band, all of this year's performers are new, including one geared especially for children. Although all of the concerts are family friendly, Shelley Bean and The Duckety Muds offers kids plenty of surprises and audience participation for both the young and young-at-heart.

Feedback from past performers has been positive with many indicating they enjoyed playing the outdoor venue at which some much-needed washroom facilities were added last year. Interest in the concerts continues to grow each year in the community.

"So it's really expanding," Paulette says "Everyone seems to have a lot of fun. There are those regular concertgoers but lots of new ones each year as well."

One of the most unique bands by far this year is Lovestorm. Tim Isaac and Nina Khosia released their Great Ocean CD last July which was nominated for an ECMA and a Music New Brunswick Award. They've been a part of the local music scene for the past 14 years, each having played in different bands in the past. Tim is a former member of Isaac & Blewett while Nina played with The Great Balancing Act.

Tim describes their exotic mix of styles and songs as an upbeat, positive and inspirational celebration of life peppered with quiet reflection that audiences really seem to enjoy.

"People love it," he says simply. "People really like the positivity of the music and the exoticness of it."

Nina, who writes the majority of the music for the band, is lead vocalist with Tim singing back up.

"But we'll sing a couple of duets together as well," adds Tim, who is also a pottery artist in Alma.

Tim's electrified cello will make some big noise when then take to the stage August 10, while Nina will provide a softer sound using a variety of instruments including the flute, ukulele and the harmonium which is a free-standing keyboard instrument similar to a reed organ.

Both enjoy playing outdoor venues like the Riverview bandstand.

"We've always enjoyed playing outside especially for families," Tim says. "Our music has great audience appeal."

The duo has a busy summer ahead of them, with a number of performances scheduled for the provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and they really enjoy playing small venues.

"We really seem to shine in small, more intimate settings," Tim says. - Times and Transcript

Some of the best things in life are free.

Lovestorm takes to Riverview's Caseley Park stage on August 10.

The Town of Riverview will kick-off its 2011 free outdoor concert series at the Caseley Park Bandstand early next month. This is the fifth year for the concerts held each Wednesday night from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. during the months of July and August.

Riverview Parks and Recreation youth and community co-ordinator Paulette Tingley says a talented line-up of eight local artists will be showcased at the bandstand this year, including Juno Award-winning sisters Karen and Maureen Ennis, New Orleans blues band Dixieland Ramblers, the Codiac Concert Band, singer and flautist Nuala Kennedy, well-known East Coast musicians Nina Khosia and Tim Isaac of Lovestorm, Maritime sensations the Jared Lutz Band, fiddler Samantha Robichaud and children's performers Shelley Bean & The Duckety Muds.

The concerts were initially held at the Gazebo on the Riverview waterfront but were later moved to the bandstand due to space restrictions. Paulette says there's always an abundance of artists and musicians interested in performing at the concerts which are sponsored by the Town of Riverview Parks and Recreation department. The shows typically attract large crowds which in the event of inclement weather, are held indoors at 145 Lakeside Drive behind the Byron Dobson arena.

With the exception of the Codiac Concert Band, all of this year's performers are new, including one geared especially for children. Although all of the concerts are family friendly, Shelley Bean and The Duckety Muds offers kids plenty of surprises and audience participation for both the young and young-at-heart.

Feedback from past performers has been positive with many indicating they enjoyed playing the outdoor venue at which some much-needed washroom facilities were added last year. Interest in the concerts continues to grow each year in the community.

"So it's really expanding," Paulette says "Everyone seems to have a lot of fun. There are those regular concertgoers but lots of new ones each year as well."

One of the most unique bands by far this year is Lovestorm. Tim Isaac and Nina Khosia released their Great Ocean CD last July which was nominated for an ECMA and a Music New Brunswick Award. They've been a part of the local music scene for the past 14 years, each having played in different bands in the past. Tim is a former member of Isaac & Blewett while Nina played with The Great Balancing Act.

Tim describes their exotic mix of styles and songs as an upbeat, positive and inspirational celebration of life peppered with quiet reflection that audiences really seem to enjoy.

"People love it," he says simply. "People really like the positivity of the music and the exoticness of it."

Nina, who writes the majority of the music for the band, is lead vocalist with Tim singing back up.

"But we'll sing a couple of duets together as well," adds Tim, who is also a pottery artist in Alma.

Tim's electrified cello will make some big noise when then take to the stage August 10, while Nina will provide a softer sound using a variety of instruments including the flute, ukulele and the harmonium which is a free-standing keyboard instrument similar to a reed organ.

Both enjoy playing outdoor venues like the Riverview bandstand.

"We've always enjoyed playing outside especially for families," Tim says. "Our music has great audience appeal."

The duo has a busy summer ahead of them, with a number of performances scheduled for the provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and they really enjoy playing small venues.

"We really seem to shine in small, more intimate settings," Tim says. - Times and Transcript

Like the collision of two celestial bodies in a narrowing orbit, Lovestorm was simply inevitable. Cellist Tim Isaac and singer Nina Khosla, two New Brunswick musicians, had been sharing a home together but rarely played in a musical project together. Isaac was busy with his folk-roots duo Isaac and Blewett while Khosla was working with her trippy pop group Great Balancing Act – but rarely the twain would meet, musically. ‘Over the years, we’ve bounced off each other musically, and always were attracted by the musical possibilities between us”, says Isaac, from his snow-bound 160-year-old home overlooking Shepody Bay on the coast of New Brunswick. It helps the connection that they’ve also been a couple for the past 8 years, says Isaac.

Then two years ago, they decided to explore the musical possibilities and formed Lovestorm. “We started off wanting a project to work on together,” says Isaac, who also maintains a busy pottery studio. “It turned out to be really rewarding in ways we didn’t expect.”

Khosla handles the lyric writing and the singing, while Isaac arranges the music. That’s a change of responsibility for Isaac, who has done the lion’s share of singing and songwriting for Isaac and Blewett. “This gives me the chance to sit back and listen to the songs, turn them around in my mind and come up with interesting arrangements. It allows me to be creative in a different way.” Lovestorm also allows Khosla a different role, pushing her farther out front than her usual supporting role with Great Balancing Act.

The heart of the Lovestorm project is the intricate layering of sound textures that Isaac creates from his cello. The classically trained musician pairs the simple acoustic perfection of the cello with a Boss RC20 digital loop station, allowing him to overdub successive live tracks into a dance musical parfait. In Isaac’s skilled hands, the loop station stands in for a dozen musicians – layering trance like bass lines, slicing cello lines, warm sensuous chords, overdriven leads and even preprogrammed beats and drum loops. “Where we live in the country, there’s a lot of solitary time,” laughs Isaac. “So I first got this Line-6 echo pedal with some limited short-looping ability. That really fascinated me. So it didn’t take long till I could see the sonic range of the cello. I can pluck bass lines, hit the body in different ways, then add string parts – it’s an all-in-one package.”

When they perform live, Khosla handles all the vocals and adds instrumental flavour with her ukulele, harmonium (a compact east Indian pump organ), marimba and flute, sweetening up Isaac’s resounding cello voices. Isaac calls it “soul-stirring music”.

The pair collected 10 songs last year for their debut CD Great Ocean, recorded at their home in New Brunswick. It’s a charming, relaxed album full of beautiful sounds, sensuous grooves and enchanting, life-affirming lyrics.

The album is nominated for best pop recording in the East Coast Music Awards and also was nominated in the New Brunswick Music Awards.
- Penguin Eggs Issue #49 Spring 2011

At their last recording sessions, the waves below Nina Khosla and Tim Isaac's rented cliffside Mexican flat crashed so loudly, they had to shut the windows.

When the swell died down, they took advantage of nature's orchestra. Birds called, wind whistled and the water ebbed and flowed.

"It's going to be a real magical recording," Isaac said, following the couple's recent one-month excursion to Puerto Escondido, where they recorded 13 songs bound for their upcoming album.

The Moncton pair make up the two halves of Lovestorm, a downtempo pop group confessing romantic notions about what it's like to make beautiful music together.

"It's really nice to sing a love song to each other on stage. People really pick up on the sincerity of that," Isaac said. "We all have a storm within us. Depending on our moods and emotions, while we strive to show the love side, sometimes the storm rears its head instead."

Though they've been playing together for two years, neither are new to performing. Locals may recognize Khosla, 38, from her work with Moncton pop trio Great Balancing Act, and Isaac, 49, from the award-winning local blues duo Isaac and Blewett.

"We have our best little business meetings in the bathtub together, which is something I wouldn't do with Jim Blewett," Isaac said. "In a way, it never leaves us. Whenever we're inspired with a thought - because we're usually around each other at home - it can launch us into a line of action because we can do it right there."

Lovestorm's debut album Great Ocean was nominated earlier this year for Pop Recording of the Year at the ECMAs.

Their upcoming album (due at local music stores by fall) was recorded with found instruments in Mexico: pots, pans, a ukulele and rented viola and the sounds of nature.

"I'm sure an album called Overripe from a band called Lovestorm is going to raise some eyebrows. What can we do? You've got to embrace your funkiness."

----

Bare Bones Hot Yoga (16 Church St.) at 8pm on June 3. Tickets are $10, available at Bare Bones or by phoning 858-9642. Lovestorm plays Ham Jam (Camp Pascobac, Belleisle Bay) on June 4.
@Tickets for the two-day festival are $35, available by e-mailing hamjam2011@hotmail.com. - [Here]

At their last recording sessions, the waves below Nina Khosla and Tim Isaac's rented cliffside Mexican flat crashed so loudly, they had to shut the windows.

When the swell died down, they took advantage of nature's orchestra. Birds called, wind whistled and the water ebbed and flowed.

"It's going to be a real magical recording," Isaac said, following the couple's recent one-month excursion to Puerto Escondido, where they recorded 13 songs bound for their upcoming album.

The Moncton pair make up the two halves of Lovestorm, a downtempo pop group confessing romantic notions about what it's like to make beautiful music together.

"It's really nice to sing a love song to each other on stage. People really pick up on the sincerity of that," Isaac said. "We all have a storm within us. Depending on our moods and emotions, while we strive to show the love side, sometimes the storm rears its head instead."

Though they've been playing together for two years, neither are new to performing. Locals may recognize Khosla, 38, from her work with Moncton pop trio Great Balancing Act, and Isaac, 49, from the award-winning local blues duo Isaac and Blewett.

"We have our best little business meetings in the bathtub together, which is something I wouldn't do with Jim Blewett," Isaac said. "In a way, it never leaves us. Whenever we're inspired with a thought - because we're usually around each other at home - it can launch us into a line of action because we can do it right there."

Lovestorm's debut album Great Ocean was nominated earlier this year for Pop Recording of the Year at the ECMAs.

Their upcoming album (due at local music stores by fall) was recorded with found instruments in Mexico: pots, pans, a ukulele and rented viola and the sounds of nature.

"I'm sure an album called Overripe from a band called Lovestorm is going to raise some eyebrows. What can we do? You've got to embrace your funkiness."

----

Bare Bones Hot Yoga (16 Church St.) at 8pm on June 3. Tickets are $10, available at Bare Bones or by phoning 858-9642. Lovestorm plays Ham Jam (Camp Pascobac, Belleisle Bay) on June 4.
@Tickets for the two-day festival are $35, available by e-mailing hamjam2011@hotmail.com. - [Here]

After years of experience in other popular East Coast bands Tim Isaac, of the Blues music duo Isaac and Blewett; and Nina Khosla, also known for her work as bassist and vocalist with the Moncton Indie-Pop group Great Balancing Act, joined musical forces in 2009 to form something completely new and named their duo Lovestorm.

They released their debut CD 'Great Ocean' in the spring of 2010, garnering nominations from both the East Coast Music Association and Music New Brunswick for Pop Recording of the Year.

Their collaboration is innovative, and their live performance captures a life-affirming energy that is both refreshing and stirring. Lovestorm is a musical celebration of life, and it is powerfully delivered.

Together Tim and Nina are a musical force of nature that challenges the senses of even the most astute music fan. And as such Lovestorm continues to explore new, and perhaps even unconventional, ways of expressing their unique talents. Therefore followers of this musical journey will likely not be caught off-guard by the recent announcement that Lovestorm will be performing at Bare Bones Hot Yoga Studio located at 16 Church Street, this Friday June 3 at 8 pm. Admission to check out the show is $10.

Isaacs informs, "We will be playing songs from our East Coast Music Association nominated debut CD 'Great Ocean' released last year, as well as brand new songs written this winter in Mexico. We're trying out some new sounds this year. Nina's playing some keyboard, which is pretty cool and trancey, and we're doing some duets, which allow us to express emotions as a couple (or two people interacting), rather than just from an individual's perspective."

It should also be noted that Isaac is an accomplished cellist. He describes a Lovestorm performance by saying, "Our show has been evolving into something pretty special, besides the music, which is powerful, life affirming, and very unique, we also bring along other treats for the senses. Nina is perfecting 'bliss balls' a healthy, energizing snack balls made of nuts, fruits and grains, which we pass out during the show. We've also started a 'Lovestorm' line of pottery that we sell at shows. Small teacups or shot glasses by night, plates, and espresso cups. They have lyrics from Lovestorm songs on them, as well as affirmations and whimsical drawings. Each piece is one-of-a-kind and made by us. Nina also has some of her aromatherapy products for sale." It is becoming obvious that attendees at one of their concerts are in for an unpredictable and, by all accounts, a most enjoyable experience.

Some readers are probably still trying to imagine the reason behind choosing a yoga studio for a music concert. Isaac sums it up this way. "We want to create a special experience for people, that they will be inspired by and remember. We chose to have a show at Bare Bones Hot Yoga, because it is a unique space, a blank canvas on which we can create something magical of our own. The owner, Kessa Schroeder, is very enthused by our music and has graciously made her space available for this event." He relates.

From a musical perspective, accompanying Nina, Tim redefines just what a cello can do. From its natural mellow and sultry voice to a hair-raising side-winding rock instrument, he stretches the cello into exciting new territory. His thick orchestral loops and beats blend beautifully with Nina's expressive voice and stage presence. Nina's lyrics range from intimate matters of the heart, to a sincere appreciation for earth's beauty and delights. All this, combined with her flourishes of harmonium, flute, and keyboard results in something wonderfully engaging, at once sacred and sensual.

Lovestorm is well on their way to carving their name into the Maritime music scene. Their intimate show, uplifting lyrics, diverse instrumentation and distinctively beautiful sound are winning over audiences everywhere they perform.

Isaacs concludes with a healthy dose of Maritime modesty and admits, "I never thought of myself as a pop musician, but I'm really excited by the news that Lovestorm has received an ECMA nomination for Pop Recording of the Year. We've put quite a bit of effort this past year into defining our sound, crafting our music, and seeing where this new collaboration might lead. Thanks everyone for your enthusiastic encouragement."

Other Metro area dates for Lovestorm this summer include The Manhattan Bar and Grill on June 17th, with the TBA collective, and the Casely Park Concert Series on August 10th. - Times and Transcript

After years of experience in other popular East Coast bands Tim Isaac, of the Blues music duo Isaac and Blewett; and Nina Khosla, also known for her work as bassist and vocalist with the Moncton Indie-Pop group Great Balancing Act, joined musical forces in 2009 to form something completely new and named their duo Lovestorm.

They released their debut CD 'Great Ocean' in the spring of 2010, garnering nominations from both the East Coast Music Association and Music New Brunswick for Pop Recording of the Year.

Their collaboration is innovative, and their live performance captures a life-affirming energy that is both refreshing and stirring. Lovestorm is a musical celebration of life, and it is powerfully delivered.

Together Tim and Nina are a musical force of nature that challenges the senses of even the most astute music fan. And as such Lovestorm continues to explore new, and perhaps even unconventional, ways of expressing their unique talents. Therefore followers of this musical journey will likely not be caught off-guard by the recent announcement that Lovestorm will be performing at Bare Bones Hot Yoga Studio located at 16 Church Street, this Friday June 3 at 8 pm. Admission to check out the show is $10.

Isaacs informs, "We will be playing songs from our East Coast Music Association nominated debut CD 'Great Ocean' released last year, as well as brand new songs written this winter in Mexico. We're trying out some new sounds this year. Nina's playing some keyboard, which is pretty cool and trancey, and we're doing some duets, which allow us to express emotions as a couple (or two people interacting), rather than just from an individual's perspective."

It should also be noted that Isaac is an accomplished cellist. He describes a Lovestorm performance by saying, "Our show has been evolving into something pretty special, besides the music, which is powerful, life affirming, and very unique, we also bring along other treats for the senses. Nina is perfecting 'bliss balls' a healthy, energizing snack balls made of nuts, fruits and grains, which we pass out during the show. We've also started a 'Lovestorm' line of pottery that we sell at shows. Small teacups or shot glasses by night, plates, and espresso cups. They have lyrics from Lovestorm songs on them, as well as affirmations and whimsical drawings. Each piece is one-of-a-kind and made by us. Nina also has some of her aromatherapy products for sale." It is becoming obvious that attendees at one of their concerts are in for an unpredictable and, by all accounts, a most enjoyable experience.

Some readers are probably still trying to imagine the reason behind choosing a yoga studio for a music concert. Isaac sums it up this way. "We want to create a special experience for people, that they will be inspired by and remember. We chose to have a show at Bare Bones Hot Yoga, because it is a unique space, a blank canvas on which we can create something magical of our own. The owner, Kessa Schroeder, is very enthused by our music and has graciously made her space available for this event." He relates.

From a musical perspective, accompanying Nina, Tim redefines just what a cello can do. From its natural mellow and sultry voice to a hair-raising side-winding rock instrument, he stretches the cello into exciting new territory. His thick orchestral loops and beats blend beautifully with Nina's expressive voice and stage presence. Nina's lyrics range from intimate matters of the heart, to a sincere appreciation for earth's beauty and delights. All this, combined with her flourishes of harmonium, flute, and keyboard results in something wonderfully engaging, at once sacred and sensual.

Lovestorm is well on their way to carving their name into the Maritime music scene. Their intimate show, uplifting lyrics, diverse instrumentation and distinctively beautiful sound are winning over audiences everywhere they perform.

Isaacs concludes with a healthy dose of Maritime modesty and admits, "I never thought of myself as a pop musician, but I'm really excited by the news that Lovestorm has received an ECMA nomination for Pop Recording of the Year. We've put quite a bit of effort this past year into defining our sound, crafting our music, and seeing where this new collaboration might lead. Thanks everyone for your enthusiastic encouragement."

Other Metro area dates for Lovestorm this summer include The Manhattan Bar and Grill on June 17th, with the TBA collective, and the Casely Park Concert Series on August 10th. - Times and Transcript

The Atlantic Provinces are rich with great musical talents, and here at Sea and be Scene we celebrate all of the sounds and songs that make this part of the world so special. Many have tried to uncover the mystery to that musical wealth…heritage? Yes! Culture? For sure…but there’s no arguing the inspiration that can be found in the waves off the coastline, the beauty in the bays and the deep blue waters that surround us here. New Brunswick duo Lovestorm sings about just that in their EMCA nominated project Great Ocean. With indescribably cool vocals from Nina Khosla and equally groovy rhythms from Tim Isaac - we just had to get the scoop on these two New Horton, NB residents who are making waves with their sound.

.

What follows is our Q&A as they say...with ½ of Lovestorm

SABS: So first off Lovestorm – great name...many ways to take it…how did you come up it?

LovestormTim Isaac: The name Lovestorm can be taken different ways. For us, it expresses the complexity of passionate love, be it for a person or for life. One might see Nina as Love and myself as the Storm. Actually these are both elements that are inside everyone and can surface at different times. The name is an interesting dichotomy and I'm almost over my embarrassment of it (it was Nina's idea).

SABS: There’s been lots of great music coming out of New Brunswick for a long long time and yet 2010 was the first year for the awards – how cool was it to be nominated?

Tim Isaac: We were both surprised and delighted to be nominated for Pop Recording at the 2010 Music New Brunswick Awards. NB and Atlantic Canada in general have a respectable number of talented musicians, and to be acknowledged as part of that group feels terrific.

SABS: There’s such a groovy and really unique sound to your project Great Ocean - 'what' and 'who' has influenced the music of Lovestorm?

Tim Isaac: I think the Lovestorm sound is a unique fusion of two distinct voices - you might say a meeting of hard and soft, of masculine and feminine. Nina writes the lyrics and sings, and her inspiration is drawn from her attraction to beauty and sensuality. The content of her songs is not at all typical and that makes me very drawn to them. Musically, she contributes flourishes of flute, harmonium and keyboards, as well as a gently Lovestorm albumplayed ukulele. I find myself constructing the foundation and structure of the songs... laying down beats and bass lines, then adding more layers of orchestral cello to thicken the sound. Our influences are varied and our music doesn't fit easily into one genre. Our main goal in Lovestorm is to fully express ourselves.

SABS: Very cool new video for the title track “Great Ocean” (seen above)…tell us what went into making what we see?

Tim Isaac: Last fall I got an iPod that could shoot video, and when we were blessed with an unusually warm day in October, we decided to drive over to Waterside Beach and try to shoot a video (naive or what?). We basically had Nina's laptop playing the song while we lip-synched on the rocks and sand. We thought it was probably unusable until we showed it to our filmmaker friend Scott Carson. He took up the challenge of making something out of it, and quite honestly, when he first showed me what he had done, I couldn't believe it. He had created a work of art, combining our images with dramatic footage of stirring waves, soaring birds and the rocky coast of Newfoundland. He totally nailed it and I think the video wonderfully conveys the power of the 'great ocean' and Nina's attachment and reverence for it.

SABS: What’s up for Lovestorm this year?

Tim Isaac: Nina loves to soak up some sun every winter by going South and this year I've been lucky enough to join her for a month. She's been busy writing and we've been recording every day in a place she rented overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. We didn't think we'd do more than demo some songs, but things have been going so well, that we'll likely be releasing a full length CD of new material recorded right here (complete with sounds of crashing waves throughout). Nina has some terrific new songs and it's been a total pleasure to lay down tracks and help arrange them. When we get home, we'll be attending the ECMAs, where we'll be showcasing and schmoozing. It'll be our first appearance as Lovestorm at the ECMAs.

LovestormWe're also lining up shows for the summer and fall and anticipate a very busy year, as our appreciative audience continues to grow. We're eager to share our music further and really encouraged by the positive reaction we've had thus far. People who get it, really get it. - Sea and Be Scene

The Atlantic Provinces are rich with great musical talents, and here at Sea and be Scene we celebrate all of the sounds and songs that make this part of the world so special. Many have tried to uncover the mystery to that musical wealth…heritage? Yes! Culture? For sure…but there’s no arguing the inspiration that can be found in the waves off the coastline, the beauty in the bays and the deep blue waters that surround us here. New Brunswick duo Lovestorm sings about just that in their EMCA nominated project Great Ocean. With indescribably cool vocals from Nina Khosla and equally groovy rhythms from Tim Isaac - we just had to get the scoop on these two New Horton, NB residents who are making waves with their sound.

.

What follows is our Q&A as they say...with ½ of Lovestorm

SABS: So first off Lovestorm – great name...many ways to take it…how did you come up it?

LovestormTim Isaac: The name Lovestorm can be taken different ways. For us, it expresses the complexity of passionate love, be it for a person or for life. One might see Nina as Love and myself as the Storm. Actually these are both elements that are inside everyone and can surface at different times. The name is an interesting dichotomy and I'm almost over my embarrassment of it (it was Nina's idea).

SABS: There’s been lots of great music coming out of New Brunswick for a long long time and yet 2010 was the first year for the awards – how cool was it to be nominated?

Tim Isaac: We were both surprised and delighted to be nominated for Pop Recording at the 2010 Music New Brunswick Awards. NB and Atlantic Canada in general have a respectable number of talented musicians, and to be acknowledged as part of that group feels terrific.

SABS: There’s such a groovy and really unique sound to your project Great Ocean - 'what' and 'who' has influenced the music of Lovestorm?

Tim Isaac: I think the Lovestorm sound is a unique fusion of two distinct voices - you might say a meeting of hard and soft, of masculine and feminine. Nina writes the lyrics and sings, and her inspiration is drawn from her attraction to beauty and sensuality. The content of her songs is not at all typical and that makes me very drawn to them. Musically, she contributes flourishes of flute, harmonium and keyboards, as well as a gently Lovestorm albumplayed ukulele. I find myself constructing the foundation and structure of the songs... laying down beats and bass lines, then adding more layers of orchestral cello to thicken the sound. Our influences are varied and our music doesn't fit easily into one genre. Our main goal in Lovestorm is to fully express ourselves.

SABS: Very cool new video for the title track “Great Ocean” (seen above)…tell us what went into making what we see?

Tim Isaac: Last fall I got an iPod that could shoot video, and when we were blessed with an unusually warm day in October, we decided to drive over to Waterside Beach and try to shoot a video (naive or what?). We basically had Nina's laptop playing the song while we lip-synched on the rocks and sand. We thought it was probably unusable until we showed it to our filmmaker friend Scott Carson. He took up the challenge of making something out of it, and quite honestly, when he first showed me what he had done, I couldn't believe it. He had created a work of art, combining our images with dramatic footage of stirring waves, soaring birds and the rocky coast of Newfoundland. He totally nailed it and I think the video wonderfully conveys the power of the 'great ocean' and Nina's attachment and reverence for it.

SABS: What’s up for Lovestorm this year?

Tim Isaac: Nina loves to soak up some sun every winter by going South and this year I've been lucky enough to join her for a month. She's been busy writing and we've been recording every day in a place she rented overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. We didn't think we'd do more than demo some songs, but things have been going so well, that we'll likely be releasing a full length CD of new material recorded right here (complete with sounds of crashing waves throughout). Nina has some terrific new songs and it's been a total pleasure to lay down tracks and help arrange them. When we get home, we'll be attending the ECMAs, where we'll be showcasing and schmoozing. It'll be our first appearance as Lovestorm at the ECMAs.

LovestormWe're also lining up shows for the summer and fall and anticipate a very busy year, as our appreciative audience continues to grow. We're eager to share our music further and really encouraged by the positive reaction we've had thus far. People who get it, really get it. - Sea and Be Scene

A month back I told you about the new album by Moncton's Great Balancing Act...then, a couple of weeks ago, I was mentioning seeing Alma's veteran duo Isaac and Blewett...how good they were doing...with a new cd due shortly. Well, if those folks aren't busy enough right now, members of both acts are involved in another group, with an interesting new album and live project. The group name is Lovestorm, the album is called Great Ocean, and it consists of two musicians, Nina Khosla of Great Balancing Act, and Tim Isaac of Isaac and Blewett.

Now, take the duo's home bands, and you'd never think of these two together. After all, Nina sings these highly poppy, sugar-coated tunes in the high-energy Great Balancing Act...while Tim is the stoic cello player emmersed in the pastural folk-blues of Isaac and Blewett. But stranger combinations have existed in music...and this pairing is highly inspired. Nina Khosla provides the lyrics and voice here, as well as some of the music, plus much of the percussion and sweetening, with harmonium, ukulele and flute added in. And Tim gets to show off his modern interpretation of what the cello can do, using tape loops, effects pedals and beats to program his cello as well as playing it straight.

Here, Khosla's words are from her soft, spiritual, romantic side...hence the Lovestorm name. And it's fascinating to hear the cello become the lead instrument, whether plucked, bowed or looped. The music is built from the grooves up, including the Latin-cool samba-influenced Roca Blanca. Nina coos in Spanish...tinkles the marimba and ukelele, and Tim takes a funky cello solo, playing it like a guitar. "This Place of Mine" here's the low end of the cello distorted and phased and looped below, while Tim weaves along in a higher register, bowing the instrument in a matching melody line to Nina's vocal. And when the instrumental break comes, Nina breaks out a beautiful flute. Please, somebody find me a similar album in the world! I dare ya. It's the meeting of two highly distinct musicians, with wide-ranging talents and influences and special skills. Unique is definately the word.

Meantime, we're in a Lovestorm, and that includes a show this weekend, the debut for the new disc. It's at the Vintage Bistro and Lounge in Hampton on Friday night. And they'll be appearing in several other places sporadicallly through the summer, including Moncton, Rothesay, Fredericton, Markhamville..and elsewhere. You can get all the details on the shows and how to get the CD on their website, lovestorm - dot - ca. - CBC Shift

A month back I told you about the new album by Moncton's Great Balancing Act...then, a couple of weeks ago, I was mentioning seeing Alma's veteran duo Isaac and Blewett...how good they were doing...with a new cd due shortly. Well, if those folks aren't busy enough right now, members of both acts are involved in another group, with an interesting new album and live project. The group name is Lovestorm, the album is called Great Ocean, and it consists of two musicians, Nina Khosla of Great Balancing Act, and Tim Isaac of Isaac and Blewett.

Now, take the duo's home bands, and you'd never think of these two together. After all, Nina sings these highly poppy, sugar-coated tunes in the high-energy Great Balancing Act...while Tim is the stoic cello player emmersed in the pastural folk-blues of Isaac and Blewett. But stranger combinations have existed in music...and this pairing is highly inspired. Nina Khosla provides the lyrics and voice here, as well as some of the music, plus much of the percussion and sweetening, with harmonium, ukulele and flute added in. And Tim gets to show off his modern interpretation of what the cello can do, using tape loops, effects pedals and beats to program his cello as well as playing it straight.

Here, Khosla's words are from her soft, spiritual, romantic side...hence the Lovestorm name. And it's fascinating to hear the cello become the lead instrument, whether plucked, bowed or looped. The music is built from the grooves up, including the Latin-cool samba-influenced Roca Blanca. Nina coos in Spanish...tinkles the marimba and ukelele, and Tim takes a funky cello solo, playing it like a guitar. "This Place of Mine" here's the low end of the cello distorted and phased and looped below, while Tim weaves along in a higher register, bowing the instrument in a matching melody line to Nina's vocal. And when the instrumental break comes, Nina breaks out a beautiful flute. Please, somebody find me a similar album in the world! I dare ya. It's the meeting of two highly distinct musicians, with wide-ranging talents and influences and special skills. Unique is definately the word.

Meantime, we're in a Lovestorm, and that includes a show this weekend, the debut for the new disc. It's at the Vintage Bistro and Lounge in Hampton on Friday night. And they'll be appearing in several other places sporadicallly through the summer, including Moncton, Rothesay, Fredericton, Markhamville..and elsewhere. You can get all the details on the shows and how to get the CD on their website, lovestorm - dot - ca. - CBC Shift

They are both transplants from other provinces who put down roots in New Brunswick. They are each a vital part of different well-known east coast bands. And they are now moonlighting together in a new musical act called Lovestorm.

Nina Khosla, of the indie-pop group Great Balancing Act and Tim Isaac, of Isaac and Blewett, have released their first album together as the duo Lovestorm.
Tim Isaac, a Manitoba native, is one half of Isaac and Blewett, the experimental, bluesy folk band from the Bay of Fundy shore near Alma. Nina Khosla, who grew up in Ontario, has been singing and playing bass with Moncton indie-pop group Great Balancing Act since 1994.

Together, this real-life couple has made a sonic departure with its first album, Great Ocean. The distinct sound is described by Khosla as "sacred and sexy." The songs are ethereal and intimate, while the often-personal lyrics hold nothing back. The Lovestorm website calls the music "dreamy songs about love and the ocean."

"A lot of my songs are uplifting, partly spiritual," said Khosla from the home she shares with Isaac in New Horton, near Fundy National Park. "I write about nature a lot. It's a big inspiration, and of course the fascinating topic of relationships."

Several songs on the album were written in Mexico, where Khosla has been doing solo songwriting retreats. There are several of what she calls sea songs, with lyrics that pay homage to the ocean. Two songs are written in Spanish.

Isaac is a classically-trained cellist who uses an innovative technique called looping. Looping involves live recording and immediate playback so that the cello sounds can be layered.

Besides the electric bass, Khosla plays the flute, ukulele, and marimba, a kind of wooden percussion instrument, not unlike a xylophone. She also plays the harmonium, which is a pump organ with a keyboard.

Isaac and Khosla have only been officially playing together for a year-and-half, but have known each other more than a decade. They released an EP six years ago, but only began seriously developing Lovestorm's sound in the last year.

"The more we did it, the more we wanted to do it," Kholsa said.

"It's a real blend of the two of our styles," Isaac said. "The cello is acoustic, but I've always loved beats and grooves. This brings out that side of my musical taste."

Isaac described it as an electric groove with an organic sound.

"Everything (Nina) plays is very natural and organic, and on my side, I electrify the cello, so I bring an electric side to it, and then there's the drum beat."

Playing in several bands, living under the same roof and spending long hours practising and recording music, might seem like a lot. Isaac, who is also an acclaimed potter, works from home as well. But Kholsa said they make it work.

"We have pretty separate lives in that we are doing our own thing a lot, and actually have to make time for Lovestorm," she said.

Isaac agrees. "It does get a little crazy," he said. "It's all stuff we want to do, so we are hoping we can pull it off."

The band's name was Nina's idea.

"At first blush, it makes people's eyebrows go up," said Isaac. "But it typifies the subject of the songs." He said it balances Kholsa's sensual femininity with his own darker, more brooding elements, calling it "a real delicate love with a kind of stormy side."

Through some act of kismet, and concerted effort, all three bands have recently released new material and plan to go on the road this summer. Lovestorm played its first official concert in Hampton last Friday and has at least 10 more dates booked through the summer. Its next stop is July 9 at Aberdeen Café in Moncton.

For details and tour dates, visit www.lovestorm.ca. - Telegraph-Journal

They are both transplants from other provinces who put down roots in New Brunswick. They are each a vital part of different well-known east coast bands. And they are now moonlighting together in a new musical act called Lovestorm.

Nina Khosla, of the indie-pop group Great Balancing Act and Tim Isaac, of Isaac and Blewett, have released their first album together as the duo Lovestorm.
Tim Isaac, a Manitoba native, is one half of Isaac and Blewett, the experimental, bluesy folk band from the Bay of Fundy shore near Alma. Nina Khosla, who grew up in Ontario, has been singing and playing bass with Moncton indie-pop group Great Balancing Act since 1994.

Together, this real-life couple has made a sonic departure with its first album, Great Ocean. The distinct sound is described by Khosla as "sacred and sexy." The songs are ethereal and intimate, while the often-personal lyrics hold nothing back. The Lovestorm website calls the music "dreamy songs about love and the ocean."

"A lot of my songs are uplifting, partly spiritual," said Khosla from the home she shares with Isaac in New Horton, near Fundy National Park. "I write about nature a lot. It's a big inspiration, and of course the fascinating topic of relationships."

Several songs on the album were written in Mexico, where Khosla has been doing solo songwriting retreats. There are several of what she calls sea songs, with lyrics that pay homage to the ocean. Two songs are written in Spanish.

Isaac is a classically-trained cellist who uses an innovative technique called looping. Looping involves live recording and immediate playback so that the cello sounds can be layered.

Besides the electric bass, Khosla plays the flute, ukulele, and marimba, a kind of wooden percussion instrument, not unlike a xylophone. She also plays the harmonium, which is a pump organ with a keyboard.

Isaac and Khosla have only been officially playing together for a year-and-half, but have known each other more than a decade. They released an EP six years ago, but only began seriously developing Lovestorm's sound in the last year.

"The more we did it, the more we wanted to do it," Kholsa said.

"It's a real blend of the two of our styles," Isaac said. "The cello is acoustic, but I've always loved beats and grooves. This brings out that side of my musical taste."

Isaac described it as an electric groove with an organic sound.

"Everything (Nina) plays is very natural and organic, and on my side, I electrify the cello, so I bring an electric side to it, and then there's the drum beat."

Playing in several bands, living under the same roof and spending long hours practising and recording music, might seem like a lot. Isaac, who is also an acclaimed potter, works from home as well. But Kholsa said they make it work.

"We have pretty separate lives in that we are doing our own thing a lot, and actually have to make time for Lovestorm," she said.

Isaac agrees. "It does get a little crazy," he said. "It's all stuff we want to do, so we are hoping we can pull it off."

The band's name was Nina's idea.

"At first blush, it makes people's eyebrows go up," said Isaac. "But it typifies the subject of the songs." He said it balances Kholsa's sensual femininity with his own darker, more brooding elements, calling it "a real delicate love with a kind of stormy side."

Through some act of kismet, and concerted effort, all three bands have recently released new material and plan to go on the road this summer. Lovestorm played its first official concert in Hampton last Friday and has at least 10 more dates booked through the summer. Its next stop is July 9 at Aberdeen Café in Moncton.

For details and tour dates, visit www.lovestorm.ca. - Telegraph-Journal

Lovestorm is the pairing of The Great Balancing Act's Nina Khosla and Isaac and Blewett's Tim Isaac.

Their debut album Great Ocean features a unique style of easy-listening alternative pop music that is quite interesting and appealing.

On paper a mix of cello loops, harmonium, bass, marimba, ukulele, flute and vocals sounds like a train wreck but these two talented musicians have managed to make a great listening experience. The album is unique but, at the same time, the music is familiar and catchy.

It's nice to hear Khosla's vocals in the forefront as she has a nice soft vocal style that fits Lovestorm's sound perfectly.

Great Balancing Act fans and Isaac and Blewett fans will certainly find enough familiarity to enjoy this pairing but I think their sound will attract other fans as well.

It's always great to hear fresh new music but it's an added bonus when it's made in your own backyard.

Highlights include: I'm Alive, This Place of Mine and Bless This Earth. - Times and Transcript (Adam Davis)

Lovestorm is the pairing of The Great Balancing Act's Nina Khosla and Isaac and Blewett's Tim Isaac.

Their debut album Great Ocean features a unique style of easy-listening alternative pop music that is quite interesting and appealing.

On paper a mix of cello loops, harmonium, bass, marimba, ukulele, flute and vocals sounds like a train wreck but these two talented musicians have managed to make a great listening experience. The album is unique but, at the same time, the music is familiar and catchy.

It's nice to hear Khosla's vocals in the forefront as she has a nice soft vocal style that fits Lovestorm's sound perfectly.

Great Balancing Act fans and Isaac and Blewett fans will certainly find enough familiarity to enjoy this pairing but I think their sound will attract other fans as well.

It's always great to hear fresh new music but it's an added bonus when it's made in your own backyard.

Highlights include: I'm Alive, This Place of Mine and Bless This Earth. - Times and Transcript (Adam Davis)

Groovy psychedelic cello loops, funky harmoniums and sugar- sweet vocals meld into a delicious medley of sound on Rothesay duo Lovestorm’s most recent album, Great Ocean, but the truly impressive part is that musicians Nina Khosla and Tim Isaac found the time to record it at all.

Both Khosla and Isaac have their hands full with other projects:

Khosla plays bass for Moncton pop group Great Balancing Act; Isaac is one half of renowned local duo Isaac & Blewett.

All three bands just dropped new albums in time for the summer season.

“Both bands are really important to me. They fill different roles,”said Khosla.

“It’s in my nature to want to be busy,” added Isaac. “If there’s a bit of a lull, I look for a project to get into.

It’s the way I’m going.”

On top of her musical duties, Khosla pays the bills with a waitressing gig.

Isaac is plenty busy with a bustling pottery business.

But the songs in Lovestorm clearly hold a special place in both musician’s hearts - and an extremely receptive audience greeted a recent show at the Vintage Bistro in Hampton.

“They seemed to really enjoy it, and it was fun to play new songs,” said Khosla of the crowd gathered to hear their 10-track album.

The band got its name from the ever-present interplay between elation and thunderously negative emotions inherent in every passionate coupling, but the songs on Ocean veer more towards the beauty of the natural world than rocky relationships.

Really though, it’s their musical diversity that impresses. Khosla is a talented self-taught musician with an diverse arsenal of instruments.

“I play harmonium, which is like an east Indian pump organ. Also the flute, which sounds great with the ukulele, and then marimba, which is a wooden xylophone. So that gives us a palette of sound to work with, so when I do play we make sure it has colour,” she said. - [Here]

Groovy psychedelic cello loops, funky harmoniums and sugar- sweet vocals meld into a delicious medley of sound on Rothesay duo Lovestorm’s most recent album, Great Ocean, but the truly impressive part is that musicians Nina Khosla and Tim Isaac found the time to record it at all.

Both Khosla and Isaac have their hands full with other projects:

Khosla plays bass for Moncton pop group Great Balancing Act; Isaac is one half of renowned local duo Isaac & Blewett.

All three bands just dropped new albums in time for the summer season.

“Both bands are really important to me. They fill different roles,”said Khosla.

“It’s in my nature to want to be busy,” added Isaac. “If there’s a bit of a lull, I look for a project to get into.

It’s the way I’m going.”

On top of her musical duties, Khosla pays the bills with a waitressing gig.

Isaac is plenty busy with a bustling pottery business.

But the songs in Lovestorm clearly hold a special place in both musician’s hearts - and an extremely receptive audience greeted a recent show at the Vintage Bistro in Hampton.

“They seemed to really enjoy it, and it was fun to play new songs,” said Khosla of the crowd gathered to hear their 10-track album.

The band got its name from the ever-present interplay between elation and thunderously negative emotions inherent in every passionate coupling, but the songs on Ocean veer more towards the beauty of the natural world than rocky relationships.

Really though, it’s their musical diversity that impresses. Khosla is a talented self-taught musician with an diverse arsenal of instruments.

“I play harmonium, which is like an east Indian pump organ. Also the flute, which sounds great with the ukulele, and then marimba, which is a wooden xylophone. So that gives us a palette of sound to work with, so when I do play we make sure it has colour,” she said. - [Here]

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 ha - East Coast Noise

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 ha - East Coast Noise

Nina Khosla from Moncton band The Great Balancing Act and Tim Isaac from renowned folk duo Isaac and Blewett have joined forces to become Lovestorm. With Khosla handling everything including vocals, bass, flute, and marimba, her partner Isaac contributes cello and the percussive beats heard on these 10 tracks. Khosla's vocals are light and seemingly float over top of the whimsical musical mélange. The air of simplicity running through these songs only furthers the playful, light feelings to be discovered on Great Ocean. - [Here], The Music Nerd Chronicles

Nina Khosla from Moncton band The Great Balancing Act and Tim Isaac from renowned folk duo Isaac and Blewett have joined forces to become Lovestorm. With Khosla handling everything including vocals, bass, flute, and marimba, her partner Isaac contributes cello and the percussive beats heard on these 10 tracks. Khosla's vocals are light and seemingly float over top of the whimsical musical mélange. The air of simplicity running through these songs only furthers the playful, light feelings to be discovered on Great Ocean. - [Here], The Music Nerd Chronicles