Post by Richard on Mar 19, 2007 14:40:52 GMT
Hello everybody! 
There is a great interview with Hayley at ITV: www.itv.com/page.asp?partid=7712&pos=2
Hayley Westenra
The lovely Hayley Westenra is celebrating the release of her new album, Treasure, and she couldn't wait to tell ITV's Upclose all about it!
When did you first know you wanted to be a singer?[/b]
Well, I have been singing since I could talk really and I have always loved it.
I was probably about eight when I decided I wanted to be a singer professionally, and that was the age I started going to musicals.
It was my first experience of the stage, the lights, the audience and I just loved every minute of it. It is quite funny because I was actually quite shy as a child but I guess I just had confidence in my singing ability and so I didn't mind being up on stage at all.
Would you say you were a natural show woman?
I wouldn't say I'm a natural show woman, I just love to sing and I enjoy being close to people through my singing.
Your first album, Pure, did phenomenally well, what was the secret of its success?
I really don't know, I guess the style of music that I was singing was very easy listening and the treatment of music was very natural as well.
It wasn't processed and we were using real instruments instead of it being done on a computer like a lot of the music now.
I guess maybe my passion for things came across and I came across on my album as well, and people enjoy that. They like to hear music being sung from the heart, but I think it is also getting on the right TV shows as well! If you have a great album then you know it will be fine.
What can we expect from your new album, Treasure?
It is a really personal album and people have got back to me and said they are thrilled with it. They have picked up on the fact that it is very personal and that all of the songs that I have chosen to put on the album mean a lot to me.
My music has taken me across the world. I'm singing songs that people have taught me and I'm singing songs that I have taught myself.
When I sing it is coming from the heart and I'm singing with a lot of emotion. I'm a sucker for heart wrenching lyrics I guess!
You have recorded Danny Boy on your album, why did you choose that particular song?
That is one of the songs that my Nan used to sing to me, it has been around for years and when you are looking for songs you want to record a bit of old and new.
When I was recording it I was just drawn into the story, it's about the fairness of it and he doesn't know whether he is going to return and it is really poignant song.
The fact that my Nan used to sing it as well gave a special meaning to it.
In terms of chart position both mainstream and classical what are your hopes for the album?
Well, it has been doing well and it's in the top ten which is fantastic. So fingers crossed that it will hang in there and keep working its way up the charts, I'm really excited!
You were the youngest ever UNICEF ambassador, how did that come about? And what does it entail?
I have been an ambassador for them for the last few years, back in New Zealand they phoned me up and asked me if I was interested in becoming an ambassador.
At first I was a little bit reluctant because it was a huge responsibility and I was really sure what the role would entail, but I soon realised that it was worth my effort and so recently I have been to Ghana working on a project raising money and we just sent over a load of bicycles
It is really great to have the opportunity to make a difference and it's good because my singing can work hand in hand with this at the same time.
In terms of performances you performed at the FA cup final, the Champions league final, how do those crowds differ to the crowds that you are used to and how did they perceive you?
I love singing at football matches! I think the atmosphere is just incredible and there is just so much tension and excitement in the stadium. Obviously thousands of people are going to be watching it on TV but I'm just so excited.
What do you see as a successful year for yourself?
A successful year for me is just one with great music making and just progress in all of the fields I choose to work in, a successful tour and also I really hope that my work with UNICEF can make a lot of progress.
That work is very meaningful to me and I think whilst giving pleasure to people through my singing it is great that I can use my singing career to change and save lives - that means a lot more to me than selling albums.[/size][/quote]
Richard
There is a great interview with Hayley at ITV: www.itv.com/page.asp?partid=7712&pos=2
Hayley Westenra
The lovely Hayley Westenra is celebrating the release of her new album, Treasure, and she couldn't wait to tell ITV's Upclose all about it!
When did you first know you wanted to be a singer?
Well, I have been singing since I could talk really and I have always loved it.
I was probably about eight when I decided I wanted to be a singer professionally, and that was the age I started going to musicals.
It was my first experience of the stage, the lights, the audience and I just loved every minute of it. It is quite funny because I was actually quite shy as a child but I guess I just had confidence in my singing ability and so I didn't mind being up on stage at all.
Would you say you were a natural show woman?
I wouldn't say I'm a natural show woman, I just love to sing and I enjoy being close to people through my singing.
Your first album, Pure, did phenomenally well, what was the secret of its success?
I really don't know, I guess the style of music that I was singing was very easy listening and the treatment of music was very natural as well.
It wasn't processed and we were using real instruments instead of it being done on a computer like a lot of the music now.
I guess maybe my passion for things came across and I came across on my album as well, and people enjoy that. They like to hear music being sung from the heart, but I think it is also getting on the right TV shows as well! If you have a great album then you know it will be fine.
What can we expect from your new album, Treasure?
It is a really personal album and people have got back to me and said they are thrilled with it. They have picked up on the fact that it is very personal and that all of the songs that I have chosen to put on the album mean a lot to me.
My music has taken me across the world. I'm singing songs that people have taught me and I'm singing songs that I have taught myself.
When I sing it is coming from the heart and I'm singing with a lot of emotion. I'm a sucker for heart wrenching lyrics I guess!
You have recorded Danny Boy on your album, why did you choose that particular song?
That is one of the songs that my Nan used to sing to me, it has been around for years and when you are looking for songs you want to record a bit of old and new.
When I was recording it I was just drawn into the story, it's about the fairness of it and he doesn't know whether he is going to return and it is really poignant song.
The fact that my Nan used to sing it as well gave a special meaning to it.
In terms of chart position both mainstream and classical what are your hopes for the album?
Well, it has been doing well and it's in the top ten which is fantastic. So fingers crossed that it will hang in there and keep working its way up the charts, I'm really excited!
You were the youngest ever UNICEF ambassador, how did that come about? And what does it entail?
I have been an ambassador for them for the last few years, back in New Zealand they phoned me up and asked me if I was interested in becoming an ambassador.
At first I was a little bit reluctant because it was a huge responsibility and I was really sure what the role would entail, but I soon realised that it was worth my effort and so recently I have been to Ghana working on a project raising money and we just sent over a load of bicycles
It is really great to have the opportunity to make a difference and it's good because my singing can work hand in hand with this at the same time.
In terms of performances you performed at the FA cup final, the Champions league final, how do those crowds differ to the crowds that you are used to and how did they perceive you?
I love singing at football matches! I think the atmosphere is just incredible and there is just so much tension and excitement in the stadium. Obviously thousands of people are going to be watching it on TV but I'm just so excited.
What do you see as a successful year for yourself?
A successful year for me is just one with great music making and just progress in all of the fields I choose to work in, a successful tour and also I really hope that my work with UNICEF can make a lot of progress.
That work is very meaningful to me and I think whilst giving pleasure to people through my singing it is great that I can use my singing career to change and save lives - that means a lot more to me than selling albums.[/size][/quote]
Richard
