My mini album Launch Gig 28th June 2009

Hello Everyone

Although I have briefly covered the above in a blog on My Space, thought would expand on it here as well.

The gig took place in a lovely venue in Whetstone North London.  All Saints Arts Centre to be exact.  The venue had a grand piano, though somewhat showing his age, he managed to perform more than adequately on the night.   There had been some concern just prior to the event with some of the state of the keys, having been gaffer taped, but the gaffer tape did its job and they all stayed happily in place.  The audience was a decent 15, 15 what you may say, as did a colleague, 1500 15000, no just a very attentive 15.  Well it was my first gig (first gig that I was headlining and organising that is) and I was very happy with that.  They were indeed one of the best audiences I  have ever had, no fidgetting or throwing of yesterday’s tomatoes:-)

I opened the evening with the song ‘The song in my Heart’ which was also the song I ended with by special request from a member of the audience who thought it was quite lovely, so do I, I must confess, oh dear, am I being immodest, I hope not but afterall you’ve got to like your own songs or should I say the songs that one has produced, afterall who knows from whence they come.

Then Ali Warner  played a set of soulful traditional songs on her harmonium with her very rich voice.  If you are interested in booking her or for further details, check out the relevant blog on My Space.

I then performed about 8 songs or so accompanied by Phil Curran the pianist on my debut mini album which is incidentally available for sale at a mere £8.50 + £2.00 postage and packing.  You can listen to some clips at www.myspace.com/nickiehart.

Following the interval Wynford played some of his lovely classical compositions on piano, afterwhich I performed another 8 songs or so most of which were accompanied by me. 

I sold one CD in the evening, not bad considering I omitted to plug it during the evening, apart from only the odd mention.  Think I might as well give it further mention here.  The songs are romantic, dreamy with full orchestral backings.  Some of the songs strive to be inspirational in their way and some are just about life, love and death, 3 essential ingredients of this world in which we find ourselves.

I think that’s quite enough for now.  Hope your lives are all very happy and you are all full of the joys of summer.  Till next time, wishing you get everything you seek to have in your life.

Nickie

PS If you would like a bespoke song, do let me know.

First Film Score Written

Hello lovely people

A another month has passed which has seen me involved in a diverse range of musical activities.  The most notable being the writing of my first film score.  It’s a film called ‘Girl in the Swamp’ and it’s a kind of thriller/drama.  The Director is currently editing the final version, as I type, I hope.  It came about as a chance encounter really, as these things often do.  A fellow composer, Fred Deer  kindly showed me the ropes as it were and introduced me to the director in America.  So I have him to thank profusely for everything.  Sorting out my computer, installing more memory, a full orchestra, explaining about writing scores, different functions of instruments and which ones are used for which kind of film.  For instance tubas and trombones for comedy, all this I never knew.  Hopefully the film will be ready soon and available for viewing.  I’ll let you know when.  

I have also been back in the studio rerecording some tracks in readiness for the release of my mini-album, finally, enfin! after months and months of gathering dust, it will be available in June for anyone who cares to own a copy.  Do sign up to my mailing list at www.nickiehart.co.uk if you would like to be kept informed of when it will be available.  I bet you can’t wait!! Just kidding of course!  and to mark the occasion I shall be organising a showcase of 4-5 different acts due to be held on the 28th June at the Red Hedgehog in Highgate in North London.  Should be a fun evening and what else would you be wanting to do on a mid summer evening.  Okay I hear you but those things you can always do on another Sunday, well some of them anyway.

I was going to finish but I think I’ll include a poem first:-

Review your Life

 If you don’t get on

Why then carry on

If you can’t see eye to eye

However hard you try

Review your life

Divorce your wife

 

If there’s no give or take

Perhaps its time to separate

If all you do is argue

Perhaps its time for someone new

To share your life

And eliminate this strife

 

If its not working out

be sure to get out

Throw down the key

We’re living in the 21^st Century

Come on make haste

Living in the past is such a Waste

 

© 2008 Nickie Hart

In the Recording Studio

Hello again

Well what has been happening – the week before last saw me in the studio again rerecording a couple of tracks for my mini album which has been gathering dust these past 2 years or so.  The reason being that I have been listening to people’s valuable feedback, namely that the songs were not finished, were more demos than masters.  Sadly I cannot record them myself to a good enough standard and the studio does an excellent job.  In case you’re interested the studio in question is Mews Productions, I’m sure they’ll appreciate the little plug I’m giving them.  I shall be going back again to redo another song in a week’s time and then hopefully in the not too distant future my mini album ‘ Will & Destiny’ will finally be available to all.

I have also been trying to arrange a gig to showcase the album when it is ready and I’m looking for other artists who would also be interested in performing on the night 20-30 minutes or so.  So if you are interested and have access to North London drop me a line.

Oh and here’s another poem for your pleasure (hopefully!)

Guiding Star

 

 

If you feel life’s lost its zest

And what you do has lost all interest

Then ask yourself the question

Is this feeling just some acid test

 

If you feel like doing nothing

But feel you should do something

Then sit a while in peace and quiet

And the answer will come begging

 

Enjoy these times for right reflection

Reflect on life’s pure perfection

Listen to your heart’s desire

Made manifest through idle suggestion

 

Follow your guiding Star

That knows who you truly are

Come ease the pace

Withdraw from the rat race

If this is what it takes

To follow your guiding star

 

 

© 2008 Nickie Hart

 

Wishing you all joy, peace and happiness.

 

Nickie

Performing with the Band

Well Tuesday night saw me performing with an 11 piece jazz band.  I do not have the strongest of voices as everyone who knows me and or my music will agree with and sadly when singing I could hardly hear myself above the trumpets, clarinets, drums, piano etc etc and sadly nor could the audience.  People say sing louder and believe me I would if I could.  Its not something I do on purpose sing quietly that is, and though I have spent several years now practising with numerous vocal courses and techniques, such as Jeannie Deva and Brett Manning and various vocal coaches my voice still has its ups and downs.   Have been told though that it is quite a bit stronger than it was.  Phew there is hope for me yet!  I probably could become a vocal coach with the amount of singing techniques I’ve been absorbing over the years.  So if you would like any tips, drop me a line or leave me a comment.  In the meantime I think I’ll share a few with you now.  Humming is a good one, plain humming or on a scale or singing mum and at the same time lowering the larynx,  or singing eeee whilst bringing the stomach in, something like an car engine does when turning over.  It maybe an idea to alert the neighbours when you engage in such exercises.  Making such strange noises can cause unusual reactions from people unfamiliar with the strange sounds that the human voice can create.  I had one such experience when in my last flat.  My neighbour had friends round.  One of the friends a gentleman had to go outside and in so doing had to pass my door.  My neigbour later told me that after going outside he came rushing back into her flat, obviously quite panic stricken, arms akimbo, white as a sheet, hair standing on end (I maybe exagerating here, but you get the picture) and said there’s a ghost downstairs. My neighbour replied, don’t be silly its just the girl downstairs doing her vocal exercises.   You had to laugh!!

Anyway back to the other night.  I then had the interval in which to play my own songs and apart from having no mic stand (I had been told there would be one) and there being feedback, it went reasonably well.  Thank you to James and John for your undivided attention and to Sue for being the mic stand and James for taking over from Sue when she was beginning to suffer from arm strain.  

Oh and then there was the absent pedal (it was not my keyboard you see) I have never played without a pedal, oh my goodness, was my initial reaction but I made the best of the situation  and got on with performing. 

After the interval I got to sing Missippi Mud.  I had been given the wrong tune to sing for over a week and a couple of days before the performance I was given the correct tune to sing but since the original tune was so embedded in my brain, it would not make way for the correct tune.  Ah well and then to top it all catastrophe I forgot some of the words, oops!! I do hope the audience has forgiven me by now.

So it made for a somewhat unusual and you may even say catastrophic  evening judging by all the mishaps that seem to have occured, well these things happen.  And sadly I think I’ve blown my chances of being their singer.  Such a pity!, do put a word in for me if you can, although if its not to be then c’est la vie.  Ooh I think that maybe the title of my next song, so which this space.  Look for the gift in everything so they say. 

Just a few more thank you’s before I conclude.  Thank you to Alan and Norman for turning up, to Dave for inviting me back to sing and thank you to the rest of the audience for being there and listening, sorry but I don’t know your names and of course to the band for playing and to the keyboard player for letting me use his keyboard.

I have been going on a bit and I think its time to conclude but before I disappear I’ll leave you with a video which you may enjoy.  I certainly did.  Good to watch in the evening.  Till the next time.

http://www.mayyoubeblessedmovie.com/

May life bring you many wonderful things.

Wishing you peace and happiness and love of course.

Nickie

My Facebook page is now live! and Poem ‘Ode from a departed One’

Hi

Finally I have an official Facebook page, its taken a while but better late than never.  I have quite a few tracks up, so do pop over and take a listen and leave a comment if the fancy takes you.

I have written some new material and hopefully will give it an airing in the not too distant future.

Below is another poem.  This is for anyone who has lost a loved on.

Till the next time, have a great week-end and above all be happy and have fun!

Nickie

Ode from a departed One

 

 

No point being sad if I go away

Cos none of us are here to stay

For my essence

will always be present

In the trees and the breeze

In a flower

and a rainy shower

 

Touch your face as a rain drop falls

feel its softness like a swallows call

Wherever you go I’ll be there

As you embrace the autumn air

I’ll be there

 

As you walk I’ll hold your hand

Something you may never understand

And beyond the hills where the sun goes down

Beyond the night and the rising dawn

I’ll be watching over you from out yonder

As you sit and ponder

 

Though you cannot see me

My love will always be with you

Though you cannot hear me

I’ll be with you always watching over you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© 2009 Nickie Hart

Another week, another poem

Another week, another poem a week when time has been spent sending tracks away to publishers, production companies and practising, perhaps I’ll even get a gig soon and of course writing and trying to finish off two songs.

What was I told this week, that we came from somewhere and we are going somewhere and this is just a transitional phase and to be successful you must plant your goal in your mind.  What is a successful person, a person who enjoys what they are doing regardless of what it is.  So a multi millionaire who made his millions but didn’t enjoy the process would be considered to be less successful than a roadsweeper who rises every morning with a spring in his step in anticipation of his worthy contribution to Society and the joy he will get from his daily chats with passersby. 

To conclude I offer you a little poem which I hope you will enjoy.

Till the next time, wishing you joy and happiness.

Light

 

Love the sun shining down on me

Bathing my soul in light serenity

Casting shadows wherever it goes

Dispelling fears and worrisome woes

 

Love the sun in all its purity

Filling my heart with pure felicity

Mourn the loss when it chooses to hide

Behind a rain cloud, I could have cried

 

A source of light

A source of joy

A source of healing

And of meaning

Light that gave us birth

That sustained us on this earth

Will one day welcome us home

In another place another zone

 

© 2008 Nickie Hart

 

New Music added to Website and a Poem for your delight (possibly!)

I return again after a somewhat protracted absence due to various events going on in my life, which meant that music had for some weeks prior to Christmas been put on the backburner.   The sad passing away of my dear Dad and a move from my residence in London of many many moons to my current residence.  However I now make a reappearance and am offering a poem below which I thought would be happier let out into the open rather than being cooped up in a leatherbound notebook.  I shall be posting some more poems as the weeks go by, to tempt those amongst you who claim to be fans of such an artform and perhaps convert a few of you who simply put, are not.

Heron on a branch

 

Is life rushing you by engaged in frantic activity

Have you no time to wonder at life’s fine intricacy

Can you take the time to pause

To reflect on timeless universal laws

 

Can you sit still like a Heron on a branch

Can you give up doing and give peace a chance

Can you observe like a heron on a branch

can you see life as a delightful dance

 

Do you see the changing of the seasons

The unfurling of a flower’s petals

The sophistication of a spider’s web

The strength of a glow worm’s thread

 

Can you see perfection of your seeing eyes

That let tears fall as you cry

That heal the hurt of a broken heart

That see the wonders of the wondrous world

 

Can you sit still like a Heron on a branch

Can you give up doing and give peace a chance

Can you observe like a heron on a branch

can you see life as a delightful dance

 

© 2007 Nickie Hart

 

Also you may like to know that there have been a few new musical additions to the website, you may wish to take a listen.

I am also contemplating performing my songs at a London showcase in the not too distant future.  Always looking for venues, so anyone reading this, has any ideas, do drop me a line.

Thats all for now.

Till the next time wishing you peace, love and happy times.

Nickie

Choose Life – Song – available now as a free download

Hello tout le monde

Just to let you know that I am currently offering as a free download the song I wrote entitled ‘ Choose Life’.  This was inspired by a true story I heard on the radio recounted by the father of a young man, who returning from holiday found that his son had committed suicide.   They found subsequently that the son had been visiting certain internet chat rooms which even though they knew of the young man’s tragic intentions and could have intervened, failed to do so.  Fortunately since this incident, action is being taken to hopefully avert a similar tragedy from occuring in the future.

Sadly the charity for whom this song was written was for their own personal reasons unable to use the song, hence I am offering the song for a limited time only for free.  I hope you enjoy it.

The song can be downloaded at www.myspace.com/nickiehart

Nickie

My Music career the journey part 3

Oh dear, I have been somewhat remiss in attending to my diary of journaling my progress with the development of my music career.  Partly because other events, matters have been demanding my attention.  I won’t go into these now, I’ll keep them maybe for another day.

 So what news.  Well I have done a couple of performances at open mics and got to do about 7 songs which is most unusual for open mics.  You can see pictures of me performing if you care to by popping over to My Space.  www.myspace.com/nickiehart.  The venue I played at which I would highly recommend is After Office Hours in Barnet and they hold the open mic on a Sunday.  The food there is also particularly delicieuse and you can also fit in the odd dance if you care to.  Well not too odd , jiving preferably which I love! 

Also I’ve found this new website called Slicethepie.com.  Brilliant!! You enter three songs and people are invited to review your songs.  These people are called Scouts and they get paid for their endeavours and rated accordingly.  We benefit from finding out how good or how bad are songs are or rather to what extent they appeal and consequently how well they would fare out there.  I have had some excellent reviews and some quite poor ones.  The poor ones I shall put it down to lack of knowledge for my style of music.  Positivity is the key!!  I have had more than 50 reviews with comments such as the good…

 ”Dreamy, sleepy, hypnotic female vocals over a piano. Stirs up emotions of sadness and innocence. Would be appropriate for a Tim Burton film soundtrack. The haunting vocals and lyrics sustain whilst the piano creates beautiful eloquent harmonies. It is simply gorgeous and difficult to compare to other singers….”

 Thats nice isn’t it!!

 and then we have the bad

“it’s an average track. the arrangement is too elementary..the voice seem good and only in some points seems out of tune but the rest of the track is too boring and too elementary”

That’s not very nice is it!! hmm Ah well, can’t please all, I guess. Peoples opinions do vary so.  Why not pop over to slicethepie and give some reviews.  If you do let me know.

 Anyway I think I’ve been going on for far too long, so I will close for now.  Do make yourselves known, comment etc.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Be happy and have a great day.  Till la prochaine fois.

Nickie x

My music career, the journey, week 2

Hi I’m back again to let you know what progress I’ve made this past week with developing my music career. Well I’ve signed up to slice the pie http://www.slicethepie.com where people can review your music and get paid for it and if you get really good reviews you have the chance of earning a maximum of £15,000. So anyone out there who always fancied the idea of being an A&R Scout, well nows your chance. Perhaps you’ll even review mine, if you do, don’t be too harsh. Another thing I did this week was perform at an open mic evening in Barnet, London which was good. I was about the only performer who turned up bar one, apart from the two people running the event. So I got to do more than my fair share of songs, so I was more than happy. Although not so when i heard a recording of my performance. My little keyboard did me no favours, sadly. Would have been so much better with my new Roland keyboard, though it is so heavy and the past two times that I done gigs I’ve had to get assistance loading, unloading, lifting. The gas man came in quite handy last time, helping lift it back onto its stand.

Well nothing much else on the music side unfortunately as have been quite tired this week with work etc, so till next time. Perhaps you’ll even check out my music if you care to.

Have a lovely week.

I’ll be back soon.

Sending you lots of good wishes – oh and Happy Valentines Day – I hope its prooving a really good day for all of you.

www.myspace.com/nickiehart
www.nickiehart.co.uk