Post by Richard on Aug 18, 2005 7:43:48 GMT
Hello folks! 
There is a very nice article in this week's New Zealand News UK, dated 17th August 2005:-
nznewsuk.co.uk/story.cfm?NewsID=1711
WESTENRA’S ODYSSEY
First published on 17/8/2005
ERICA FOSBENDER
She’s grown up in the spotlight and has retained an air of grace the entire time. ERICA FOSBENDER talks to Hayley Westenra about her time in London, her new album and why she loves New Zealand.
Getting hold of someone as busy as Hayley Westenra was always going to be difficult, but her father accidentally pulling the phone cord out of the wall made it that much more of a challenge.
But it only served to humanise the situation of speaking to one of New Zealand’s most famous exports and put Westenra in the context of the family orientated Kiwi girl that she is.
Now 18-years-old, Westenra is a bit of a veteran on the performing scene and is currently promoting her new album, Odyssey, in New Zealand.
"I’m really thrilled with my new album. Usually I’m super critical but I’m really pleased with how it’s turned out."
She spoke to New Zealand News UK from her flat in west London while she was preparing for a much-needed family holiday in the Greek island of Corfu – she had just returned from performing in Germany and has already been to Japan three times this year.
To many Kiwis, Westenra is the fresh-faced teenager who broke on the scene with her debut album, Pure. But she says she’s moved on since then and can’t wait for people to hear her new album. And moved on she has, the promotional photos show a beautiful young woman, who is a self-confessed huge fan of her home country. She was recently back there to sing the national anthem for the second Lions test in Wellington, despite the whirlwind nature of her visit she enjoyed every minute of it: "It was an amazing atmosphere, very patriotic."
And she has performed with some of the heavyweights in the business, recently with Jose Carreras at Hampton Court.
"I’ve performed with Jose before, we have a good relationship, he’s such a gentleman."
She’s a Canterbury girl at heart and when at home, apart from professional commitments, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, who are doing the student thing at Otago. So is she a bit envious of her friends at university?
"I wouldn’t swap my life for the world. It’s been one amazing experience after the next and all so unique.
"Home is quality time, it’s very grounding and a bit surreal."
But being based in Christchurch is not an option for an international singing career so London is now her surrogate home, which throws up the love/hate situation so many Kiwis can relate to.
"The first time I came to London I got really homesick. Now it’s becoming easier."
But it does provide Westenra with an anonymity she doesn’t get in New Zealand. And with a hectic performing and touring schedule it’s nice to be able to hide out in her flat, she said.
She won’t be back in London until next month, and is going via New Zealand, Australia and the United States to promote Odyssey. And with so much to achieve during the next few years trips home may become less frequent. But Christchurch will always be there.
"It’s home, I’ll always have a place to go back to."
• Hayley Westenra, Odyssey, is released on September 26 by Decca Black/Universal. It will retail for about 15.99. For more information visit www.hayleywestenra.com
See if you can spot the spelling mistake in the article that I've corrected in the copy! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
Bye for now,
Richard
There is a very nice article in this week's New Zealand News UK, dated 17th August 2005:-
nznewsuk.co.uk/story.cfm?NewsID=1711
WESTENRA’S ODYSSEY
First published on 17/8/2005
ERICA FOSBENDER
She’s grown up in the spotlight and has retained an air of grace the entire time. ERICA FOSBENDER talks to Hayley Westenra about her time in London, her new album and why she loves New Zealand.
Getting hold of someone as busy as Hayley Westenra was always going to be difficult, but her father accidentally pulling the phone cord out of the wall made it that much more of a challenge.
But it only served to humanise the situation of speaking to one of New Zealand’s most famous exports and put Westenra in the context of the family orientated Kiwi girl that she is.
Now 18-years-old, Westenra is a bit of a veteran on the performing scene and is currently promoting her new album, Odyssey, in New Zealand.
"I’m really thrilled with my new album. Usually I’m super critical but I’m really pleased with how it’s turned out."
She spoke to New Zealand News UK from her flat in west London while she was preparing for a much-needed family holiday in the Greek island of Corfu – she had just returned from performing in Germany and has already been to Japan three times this year.
To many Kiwis, Westenra is the fresh-faced teenager who broke on the scene with her debut album, Pure. But she says she’s moved on since then and can’t wait for people to hear her new album. And moved on she has, the promotional photos show a beautiful young woman, who is a self-confessed huge fan of her home country. She was recently back there to sing the national anthem for the second Lions test in Wellington, despite the whirlwind nature of her visit she enjoyed every minute of it: "It was an amazing atmosphere, very patriotic."
And she has performed with some of the heavyweights in the business, recently with Jose Carreras at Hampton Court.
"I’ve performed with Jose before, we have a good relationship, he’s such a gentleman."
She’s a Canterbury girl at heart and when at home, apart from professional commitments, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, who are doing the student thing at Otago. So is she a bit envious of her friends at university?
"I wouldn’t swap my life for the world. It’s been one amazing experience after the next and all so unique.
"Home is quality time, it’s very grounding and a bit surreal."
But being based in Christchurch is not an option for an international singing career so London is now her surrogate home, which throws up the love/hate situation so many Kiwis can relate to.
"The first time I came to London I got really homesick. Now it’s becoming easier."
But it does provide Westenra with an anonymity she doesn’t get in New Zealand. And with a hectic performing and touring schedule it’s nice to be able to hide out in her flat, she said.
She won’t be back in London until next month, and is going via New Zealand, Australia and the United States to promote Odyssey. And with so much to achieve during the next few years trips home may become less frequent. But Christchurch will always be there.
"It’s home, I’ll always have a place to go back to."
• Hayley Westenra, Odyssey, is released on September 26 by Decca Black/Universal. It will retail for about 15.99. For more information visit www.hayleywestenra.com
------------------------
See if you can spot the spelling mistake in the article that I've corrected in the copy! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
Bye for now,
Richard
