Hayley's cultural life - The Independent Feb 2007

[Stephany]

Again, I don't believe this article has been posted yet.

ARTS & BOOKS REVIEW
HAYLEY WESTENRA SINGER
INTERVIEW BY CHARLOTTE CRIPPS
ARTS & BOOKS REVIEW | CULTURAL LIFE
394 words
23 February 2007
The Independent
(c) 2007 Independent & Media PLC

Books
I am swotting up on global warming at the moment. This is because I am a matron [rather than a patron] for the Women’s Environmental Network (WEN) – an organisation which links women and the environment. I haven’t had time to read any novels lately. My favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. I always try to read the book before I see the film. I read The Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier, and Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. I spend a lot of time in Japan where they have taken a shine to my classical and folk songs.

Film
I am now 19 years old, and over the last four years my career has really taken off. I have been flying back and forth mainly from New Zealand [Westenra’s home country], London and the US. The only time I get to watch a film is while I’m on a plane. You, Me and Dupree is perfect light viewing. Funnily enough, Pride and Prejudice with Matthew Macfadyen and Keira Knightly is filmed in the same place in Tunbridge Wells we shot the cover for my new album Treasure. I love films such as Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings because it showcases the New Zealand landscape, while Niki Caro’s Whale Rider exposes the Maori culture.

Music
I try to resist listening to other people’s music before I go on stage. It is easy to go into that zone, and I need to stay in my own world! Amy Winehouse’s song “Rehab” has grown on me. I like The Killers, Thirteen Senses, a new soft-rock band from Cornwall, the Scottish indie rock artist Paolo Nutini, Abba, Stevie Wonder and The Three Tenors. I have performed a few times with José Carreras and I think he’s great.

Theatre & opera
The last time I went to the opera was to see Tosca at the Royal Opera House starring Bryn Terfel. I have seen the musicals Les Misérables and Wicked – but I have been a bit naughty not to take advantage of living in London and go to the theatre more often.

Hayley Westenra’s new album ‘Treasure’ is out on Monday on Universal

[Richard]

Hello Stephany!

Many thanks for posting the interview. I would love to know how you are finding all these articles, because I've searched the Internet without success!

Edit: You've answered my question HERE:-

stephany said:

I have access to a wide newspaper database (that you have to pay for, of course) and this is where I found it.

Best Wishes from London,

Richard

[drew]

stephany said:

Film
Funnily enough, Pride and Prejudice with Matthew Macfadyen and Keira Knightly is filmed in the same place in Tunbridge Wells we shot the cover for my new album Treasure.

Thanks Stephany. I don't think we would have guessed where the pictures came from.

Groombridge Place

www.ukattraction.com/a_print/print_entries_frames.php?&e=2793KSU&a=0

This should increase their visitor numbers. I hope that they have the CD in stock ready for their re-opening.

[Stephany]

richnorri said:

Hello Stephany!

Many thanks for posting the interview. I would love to know how you are finding all these articles, because I've searched the Internet without success!

Richard, I have found many other Hayley interviews that have never surfaced on the net. I will post the most important on this forum.