Post by kcuteus1 on Nov 5, 2005 18:02:40 GMT
www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/content/articles/2005/11/03/061205_hayley_westenra_event_feature.shtml
Hayley’s Odyssey
Hayley Westenra is no stranger to our city. The Kiwi diva has performed here several times and, as she prepares to bring her new album, Odyssey, to the Lowry, we asked her about covering Joni Mitchell, duetting and playing in the Mancunian rain.
Hayley Westenra
Start Date: 06/12/2005
Genres: Live Music
Venue Name: The Lowry
Address: Salford Quays
Salford
M50 3AZ
Box Office: 0870 787 5780
Fax: 0161 876 2001
Email: info@thelowry.com
Venue website
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites
Is the album title a reference to your life in the past few years?
Hayley Westenra (pic: Kevin Westenberg)
"It is actually. I wanted to call the album Odyssey for two reasons. The first is based on my life and the experiences I’ve had, and also because I hope that Odyssey will describe the musical journey that people are taken on when listening to the album."
The album’s a real mix of traditional and contemporary. How did you choose which songs to include?
"It was quite a long process. I had a few songs that I knew I wanted to record, but mainly it was finding songs that I really connected with. If you’re not writing the songs, you have to be connected to it, because singing’s about storytelling really, so in order to tell the story convincingly, you have to feel the lyrics. So I chose songs that I really love, regardless of their style. I think if it’s a great song, most of the time you can make it work for you."
The most surprising inclusion is the cover of Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now…
Hayley Westenra (pic: Kevin Westenberg)
"To me, I don’t find it that unusual. I’m a huge Joni Mitchell fan and I think she’s a fantastic talent, both as a singer and a songwriter. Both Sides Now is one of my favourites of hers. The more I sang it, even just around my flat, the more I related to what Joni had written about."
There are so many different styles of songs on the album. Do you find it strange to be classed as a classical artist?
"I do find it a bit strange. What we really need is like over in the US, where they have a crossover chart; that would make a lot more sense, because I’m not strictly classical. I’m more classical than pop so I understand why I’m in the classical charts, but it is a bit confusing for people when they’re trying to get to grips with my style. I’ve had this opera term tagged onto my name, and I’m like ‘well, I don’t do that!’ I guess what I do has a classical base…"
So you’ve no plans to do a Charlotte Church?
"I really enjoyed it, despite the fact I was getting wet and the wind was whipping my breath away."
Hayley Westenra on performing at Proms In The Park in Heaton Park
"Exactly, I’d never leave my classical roots. Not planning on anyway! Never say never, but I think I’ll stay true to my roots and continue along the same vein."
You’ve duetted with Andrea Bocelli on the album. Do you enjoy duetting?
"I do. Duetting with people I really look up to, that’s a real highlight for me. Andrea Bocelli is someone I have looked up to for a while, his was the first album I ever bought, and I love his voice and performing with him. Whenever I perform with him, I find it quite magical. I think it’s the fact that I’m so used to singing along to his music in my bedroom and now I’m up on stage alongside him, it’s a surreal experience."
Your upcoming tour includes some cathedrals. How did that come about?
Hayley Westenra (pic: Kevin Westenberg)
"I did a tour around Germany earlier this year where I performed mainly in churches, and the shows went so well. It’s the perfect setting for my music. It’s not just the acoustics, a lot of my music has a spiritual element to it which works well in that setting. Also, with the shows by candlelight and just a piano and a violinist, it makes it very intimate as well."
The last time you were in Manchester was for the Proms In The Park at Heaton Park. That was a very different experience…
"Yeah, battling the elements (laughs). I was actually more impressed with the crowd. Their resilience was incredible; even when it was pouring down with rain, they stood their ground. I really enjoyed it, despite the fact I was getting wet and the wind was whipping my breath away, but I’m kind of used to that from performing in New Zealand. We have similar changeable weather."
As you’re playing Manchester, any plans to ask Russell Watson to perform with you?
"Not at the moment, but I’m sure we’ll be asking him along to the show. Gosh, I haven’t spoken to him for a while. Actually, I performed with Jon Christos. He’s doing very well. I performed with him at Kirsty Howard’s Ball and that was great. He’s got a fantastic voice. I’m not planning on duetting with anyone in the show, but that’s a good idea. I probably should, shouldn’t I? Maybe I’ll pull them up out of the crowd."
You’ve been up in Manchester a few times recently, what do you think of the city?
"It’s almost my second home. I really like the city. It’s funny, I stay in the same place every time I come to Manchester, so I haven’t seen a lot of it, but the people are great, and it’s a great city, especially for shopping!"
Hayley’s Odyssey
Hayley Westenra is no stranger to our city. The Kiwi diva has performed here several times and, as she prepares to bring her new album, Odyssey, to the Lowry, we asked her about covering Joni Mitchell, duetting and playing in the Mancunian rain.
Hayley Westenra
Start Date: 06/12/2005
Genres: Live Music
Venue Name: The Lowry
Address: Salford Quays
Salford
M50 3AZ
Box Office: 0870 787 5780
Fax: 0161 876 2001
Email: info@thelowry.com
Venue website
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites
Is the album title a reference to your life in the past few years?
Hayley Westenra (pic: Kevin Westenberg)
"It is actually. I wanted to call the album Odyssey for two reasons. The first is based on my life and the experiences I’ve had, and also because I hope that Odyssey will describe the musical journey that people are taken on when listening to the album."
The album’s a real mix of traditional and contemporary. How did you choose which songs to include?
"It was quite a long process. I had a few songs that I knew I wanted to record, but mainly it was finding songs that I really connected with. If you’re not writing the songs, you have to be connected to it, because singing’s about storytelling really, so in order to tell the story convincingly, you have to feel the lyrics. So I chose songs that I really love, regardless of their style. I think if it’s a great song, most of the time you can make it work for you."
The most surprising inclusion is the cover of Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now…
Hayley Westenra (pic: Kevin Westenberg)
"To me, I don’t find it that unusual. I’m a huge Joni Mitchell fan and I think she’s a fantastic talent, both as a singer and a songwriter. Both Sides Now is one of my favourites of hers. The more I sang it, even just around my flat, the more I related to what Joni had written about."
There are so many different styles of songs on the album. Do you find it strange to be classed as a classical artist?
"I do find it a bit strange. What we really need is like over in the US, where they have a crossover chart; that would make a lot more sense, because I’m not strictly classical. I’m more classical than pop so I understand why I’m in the classical charts, but it is a bit confusing for people when they’re trying to get to grips with my style. I’ve had this opera term tagged onto my name, and I’m like ‘well, I don’t do that!’ I guess what I do has a classical base…"
So you’ve no plans to do a Charlotte Church?
"I really enjoyed it, despite the fact I was getting wet and the wind was whipping my breath away."
Hayley Westenra on performing at Proms In The Park in Heaton Park
"Exactly, I’d never leave my classical roots. Not planning on anyway! Never say never, but I think I’ll stay true to my roots and continue along the same vein."
You’ve duetted with Andrea Bocelli on the album. Do you enjoy duetting?
"I do. Duetting with people I really look up to, that’s a real highlight for me. Andrea Bocelli is someone I have looked up to for a while, his was the first album I ever bought, and I love his voice and performing with him. Whenever I perform with him, I find it quite magical. I think it’s the fact that I’m so used to singing along to his music in my bedroom and now I’m up on stage alongside him, it’s a surreal experience."
Your upcoming tour includes some cathedrals. How did that come about?
Hayley Westenra (pic: Kevin Westenberg)
"I did a tour around Germany earlier this year where I performed mainly in churches, and the shows went so well. It’s the perfect setting for my music. It’s not just the acoustics, a lot of my music has a spiritual element to it which works well in that setting. Also, with the shows by candlelight and just a piano and a violinist, it makes it very intimate as well."
The last time you were in Manchester was for the Proms In The Park at Heaton Park. That was a very different experience…
"Yeah, battling the elements (laughs). I was actually more impressed with the crowd. Their resilience was incredible; even when it was pouring down with rain, they stood their ground. I really enjoyed it, despite the fact I was getting wet and the wind was whipping my breath away, but I’m kind of used to that from performing in New Zealand. We have similar changeable weather."
As you’re playing Manchester, any plans to ask Russell Watson to perform with you?
"Not at the moment, but I’m sure we’ll be asking him along to the show. Gosh, I haven’t spoken to him for a while. Actually, I performed with Jon Christos. He’s doing very well. I performed with him at Kirsty Howard’s Ball and that was great. He’s got a fantastic voice. I’m not planning on duetting with anyone in the show, but that’s a good idea. I probably should, shouldn’t I? Maybe I’ll pull them up out of the crowd."
You’ve been up in Manchester a few times recently, what do you think of the city?
"It’s almost my second home. I really like the city. It’s funny, I stay in the same place every time I come to Manchester, so I haven’t seen a lot of it, but the people are great, and it’s a great city, especially for shopping!"