It is not just a case of ‘local girl makes good'. Singer-songwriter and recording artist Heather Nova's fan base in Europe is such that many travel hundreds of miles to catch her every concert.

“I don't know how they afford either the time or the cost,” she says, “but it's great.”

Whether the talented Bermudian's audience is 5,000 or 75,000 makes no difference. Like every performer, she simply loves sharing her art with as many people as possible.

“Music is my passion. To have the privilege to play live every night is wonderful. I think music really connects people and for me to play and give that music to people is the way I contribute something in my life. It gives me a lot of fulfillment and I love and enjoy it. I am just doing what I do best.”

Of course, being an in-demand artist comes at a price. It requires Miss Nova to spend much of the year on the road, virtually living and sleeping on her tour bus between gigs and it also separates her from her husband, whom she married last August. Nonetheless, despite the demands of their respective schedules, the couple's relationship is solid and based on mutual understanding and shared goals.

“(My husband) is also in the music industry so he understands,” she says. “We do spend long periods apart but this is the time in our lives where both of us are passionate about our work so that is where are priorities are. I think when you are a musician you can only be involved with another musician because the schedules and hours are so irregular.”

While London is the couple's home base and Miss Nova's career keeps her away from Bermuda for much of the year, her love the Island remains undiminished so she uses every opportunity she can, including Christmas, to return to her roots. Such journeys, however, are not just for sentimental reasons - they also play an important role in her professional life.

“Bermuda is still such a big part of me,” she says. “I always come back to write my songs. Just being so connected to the ocean and the natural beauty of Bermuda is what I really love. It is where I recharge my batteries.”

Describing herself as “a songwriter first and foremost”, Miss Nova's topics are based on “the emotional side of everyday life”, and in terms of the type of music she writes, she is “not concerned” about whether she is in sync with what is in the charts. Instead, she creates the music that feels natural to her.

“Music has an emotional impact, and that is what really interests me. Songwriting is about sharing the experience of what it is to be human. Sometimes I feel I am a channel that music goes through. Inspiration comes easily and I often think of melodies when I am walking or sitting with my guitar. I enjoy the challenge of juggling words and creating poetry in music. It is about grabbing a moment out of time and putting it into a song. It is also about putting into words the things that are hard to put into words,” she says.

Although she has performed as far afield as Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, her biggest markets are in northern Europe, where she tours extensively. As gruelling as her schedules can be - and there are times when she wonders whether she is “north, east, south or west” - the Bermudian singer-songwriter says it is all part of show biz, and something she takes in stride. As for the huge audiences, she views them as a “positive”.

“Every summer I play a lot of big rock festivals in Europe and those audiences are up to 75,000 people,” she says. “It is a very powerful thing playing for an audience and a real exchange of energy. The wonderful thing about music is that its emotional impact reminds us to feel. Music opens people up and allows them to feel things that have been buried for a long time. People say my concerts are very uplifting and I am pleased about that.”

Wherever she is, Miss Nova also makes a conscious effort to see something of the town or city in which she is playing.

“I take my bicycle along on my tour bus because it is such a shame to visit so many places and not see them so I go off for a ride and get some exercise at the same time,” she says.

In an overview of her career, Miss Nova admits that, while it is not luxurious, it is deeply rewarding.

Her average tour lasts approximately six weeks and is interspersed with breaks of about two weeks but when she releases a new CD, promotional tours require extra commitment. Her latest album is ‘South'.

Describing the European music scene as “huge”, Miss Nova says she could also be playing two festivals per week if she so chose but she prefers to return home to be rejuvenated by the Island's charms.

As busy as she is, the talented Bermudian has also found time to write and illustrate a book of poems entitled ‘Sorrowjoy', details of which can be found on the internet at www.thesorrowjoy.com, as can those on her latest album, ‘South'.

As for the future, while London remains her home base, Miss Nova, who was born Heather Frith on July 6, 1968, has recently fulfilled her long-held dream to own a piece of “the Rock”.

“I have bought a place here so I will be spending more and more time in Bermuda,” she says. “It is very exciting and something I have wanted to do for a long time.”

After ten years in the business and thousands of miles touring in many lands, Miss Nova says her career has included many highlights, of which the Millenium concert at Dockyard remains a favourite.

“It was one of the most meaningful concerts I have ever done. It was fantastic and completely exhilirating.”

For those who missed it, or are eager to hear this home-grown artist for the first time, earmark August 23 and 24 for performances at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts. The fact that the venue, while large by Bermuda standards, will be much smaller than the singer-songwriter is used to in Europe, actually pleases her.

“It means so much to me to come back to Bermuda,” she says. “Normally, I am playing to thousands of strangers, but in the local audience will be people I care about and know. It will be such an intimate atmosphere.”

As always, the Miss Nova's programme will feature all original material and she will be accompanied by three members of her regular band. The event will also be something of a family affair, since her brother Mishka will open the show.

“I chose him, not because he is my brother, but because he is one of my favourite singer-songwriters,” she says. “He had a Top 40 hit in England with his first record.”

Showtime is 8 p.m. with doors opening at 7 p.m. and there will be a licensed bar. Tickets ($45) are available at the Rock Island Coffee Shop and DeFontes Television Centre, both on Reid Street.