Hayley's blog

[Nordly]

Ugh- that trip to the pool would have made me so upset.

HayleyLynnFan

[Stephany]

Hello everyone,

Here is Hayley's latest blog entry posted on www.hayleywestenra.com
The pictures of the sound check don't seem to be online yet.

Notes from the Road - Hayley's Japan tour diary
01 Nov 2007

Hayley is currently in Japan on tour and just sent us this blog and a few backstage photos

Konichiwa!

After a couple of hectic weeks back home in Christchurch (holiday, what holiday?) during which I launched my autobiography (just in New Zealand for now, UK is releasing in a month), I have just arrived in Japan. It's a country I always enjoy touring, with such friendly and appreciative audiences (and great food too). I have worked here a lot over the last few years and the Samon promoter team (Hiro, Michi, Shin and their boss, whom we have nicknamed "the Don") are almost like friends and Hiro, at Universal Music here, always has great new ideas for releases, the latest an album tying up the loose ends of the TV and film themes I have recorded, with a few other unreleased songs, entitled "Prayer ".

This tour takes me out to many regions of Japan, not just Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya (the only three cities I have visited on tours in the past, except for a guest appearance in Kochi) which is unusual for an international artist, but it gives me the chance to meet the people that have been kind enough to buy my CDs but usually would only get to see a live performance on a TV show.

My first show was in Fukuoka in the beautiful Symphony Hall, and here are some photos from my sound check. I am lucky enough to be working with a wonderful Japanese violinist, Yukiko and pianist, Makato. I am here for three weeks, with a big Tourism NZ launch at the very end, then back to the UK to do some shows as well as check up on my new flat (plus maybe buy some furniture for it as I think beds, tables and seating are always a nice touch).

For those of you downunder, We are just confirming a NZ tour for February and then hopefully a record will be recorded in March...

[/color][/size]yikes, that's not far off, is it?!

Matane (see you soon)!

Hayleyx[/i][/size][/quote]
Stephany

[grant]

Hi Stephany and everyone

Interesting reading Hayley's latest blog and a new album confirmed! Hayley mentioned recording a new album "early next year" at Cardiff in June.

Doesn't look as though she has managed to get herself any more furniture for her flat yet - still no bed and chairs by the sound of it.

I'm confused about her comments regarding the book though as she says "just in New Zealand for now, UK is releasing in a month"!

Best wishes
Grant

[Dave]

Thanks for posting the blog, Stephany!

Grant, I read somewhere in this forum that Hayley is going to be promoting the new book in the Uk when she returns here later this month so i assume she thinks the release date will be at the same time (which would have made sense!). It could also explain why some stores do not yet have the book in stock, I know that if I ran a book store, i would want to wait until the author(s) had started actually promoting it!

Now if Hayley means what she writes, that she will be recording (not releasing) in March, that obviously precludes the release of a new album before next summer and it could then be released at any time between then and Christmas 2008. It would also increase the chances that my theory of a delayed UK Special Edition of Treasure, timed for Mothers Day and Easter in March, could prove correct. If it is, I bet it's going to be a repackaged version, like they did for Odyssey. I am sure there are well over 50,000 sales still to be achieved with Treasure in the UK and a SE should do that easily.

Cheers, Dave

[Richard]

Hello Dave!

You read about Hayley's book tour HERE.

Richard

[Stephany]

Pictures of the soundcheck sent by Hayley (did they get Sonny? ):

Practising on the piano

Fukuoka Symphony Hall

Stephany

[grant]

Hi Stephany

Looks very much like they did get "Sonny"! Lucky them!

Love & Hugs
Grant
xxx

[Raymond]

Thank you for posting, Stephany.

Raymond

[Stephany]

Hi Grant and everyone,

I'm very happy to see that Hayley now seems comfortable enough to sing and play the piano regularly in front of her audience. Another major step for her!

Lots of love,
Stephany xx

[grant]

stephany said:

Another major step for her!

And for us Stephany!!

Love
Grant
xxx

[Stephany]

grant said:

stephany said:

Another major step for her!

And for us Stephany!!

Hi again Grant,

It's going to be difficult to keep up at this pace
Hmm...so that means January/February: New Zealand, March: recording of the new album, April: Buxton and Llandudno, May: Australia/US ??, June: concert in Wales at the end of the month, September: Killiow Festival. Wow!

Love,
Stephany xx

[Dave]

stephany said:

May : Australia/US ??,

I rather hope not, Stephany, as there is the small matter of a 2008 Classical Brit Award to be won in London in May... i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Cheers, Dave

[thomas]

Hi Stephany!

Thanks for posting the blog! It's nice to read that Hayley is enjoying her time in Japan. And we have to thank Hiro from the Samon promoter team as well for releasing "Prayer". I was waiting for a CD with all the "missing" songs for a long time and shall now receive it by the end of this week. As well as the book. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif
Hayley must have had a really stressful time the last months, still no furniture for her new flat. If Jill came to the UK in December they could go shopping together.

Lots of love,
Thomas

[stevemacdonald]

dave said:

stephany said:

May : Australia/US ??,

I rather hope not, Stephany, as there is the small matter of a 2008 Classical Brit Award to be won in London in May... i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Cheers, Dave

As if the Brits don't see enough of her as it is. I think it would show great courage to be on tour in the States and phone in her victory speech (via video live feed).

[thomas]

dave said:

stephany said:

May : Australia/US ??,

I rather hope not, Stephany, as there is the small matter of a 2008 Classical Brit Award to be won in London in May... i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Cheers, Dave

Hi Dave!

Hayley mentioned to tour Australia and the US after touring NZ in the podcast that Stephany has posted in reply #8 HERE. At least if I understood everything correctly. So it could be March or even May if Hayley recorded her new album in March.

Best wishes,
Thomas