Singing put on hold yet again! due to menacing virus type activity

and not of the computer kind I should add and just when I got my new computer as well and was really looking forward to working with my new singing CDs (Per Bristow) in case you know him.  Ah well, such is life.  Maybe some gremlins out there think its better if I don’t subject the world to my vocal antics.  If I catch one or two I’ll have a thing or two to say to them.  So instead of singing, I’ve been spending more time on the piano (not literally of course, in case you have visions of me perched high on top of the piano, with legs a dangling) and on the computer, promoting.  There is so much music out there, that there is as much chance of someone in the industry coming across my music and liking it as there is of me eating oysters, hopefully more chance!  I don’t think I could ever let a slimy oyster pass my lips.

Talking about my new computer, it’s fast I must say but new is questionable.  It has problems, the right mouse click refuses to perform and the hard drive grunts and groans like it’s been on this world decades and nearing its demise instead of a mere few weeks.  So back to whoever brought it into this world and someone please send me another that works!  Anyway enough of this waffle.  I think I’ll post some poems that I wrote, something I haven’t done for a while and then that’ll be all from me for now and until next time, I shall bade thee a  fabulous week-end.

Oh and why not pop over to my Reverbnation page and listen to my music and add yourselves to the page if you like it and my facebook page as well, while your at it.  Thanks a bunch!.  and do please comment, if you would like to. 

www.reverbnation.com/nickiehart

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nickie-Hart/18087286938

Rain

When the North wind rages

And the rains cascadeth

I’ll curl up so small

Into a tiny ball

Mesmerised by the pitter patter

Caressed into a peaceful slumber

Awakened only when silence reigns

No more drops on the window pane

 

Country Life

No more town mice

No infestation of lice

No townhouse sharing

No fast paced living

No mindless skiving

No toxic fumes

No damp filled rooms

 

New found joys

An end to noise

Sounds of country life

To end all strife

The humming of Bees

The stirring of trees

Brings tranquillity

Oh definitely!

 

 

 

© 2011 Nicola Manning

Am I fighting a losing battle?

Sometimes it feels like that.  After you have spent, days, months, years trying to get your music noticed and still having the impression of the music just lying there with increasing layers of dust being the main contact the music has with other organic matter.  But I guess that’s half the fun, or a substantial percentage of the fun.  Afterall as they say its the journey not the destination that matters.  Not if you’re going on your hols it aint!! do I hear you mutter.:-)

And then why is music about the only activity that does not compensate you for your hours of labour?  Why is it that music which is so fundamental to peoples existence is now often expected to be provided on tap for free?  Free downloads, professional musicians and bands performing in clubs and pubs for free.  Does that not belittle the artists creations/endeavours?  These are probably age old arguments but would you expect an artist to give away his painting or a carpenter his beautiful hand crafted table?

Just some thoughts, traversing my mind, this cloudy, rainy day.  Hope you don”t mind and having said all that I’m now going to do exactly that, point you in the direction of where you can listen to yet some more music for free, but also some where you can actually lower your bank balance, by only a miniscule amount and some where you maybe asked for an email address.  Fair exchange me thinks!

Firstly Geoff West has created another video this time to the song ‘Choose Life’ about a young man who took his own life after participating in a suicide chat room.  Sorry sounds depressing but the song and the video are uplifting.  You can view at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFuKdBV9jeo

I have also uploaded a new song called ‘Waiting’ , http://www.reverbnation.com/nickiehart a slow, upbeat ballad all thrown into one.  Had an interesting review:-

“Beautiful piano intro, melts your heart and the vocal works very right with the instrumental part but the question is who wants to listen to music like that now-a-days? The vocal though is very talented.”

So my question to you is would you listen to the song and why if the music is beautiful would you not wish to listen to it?  Something for you to ponder and do post your comments on this or any of the topics above.  I would be interested to hear your thoughts.

That’s all for now.  The week-end awaits us.  Have a brilliant one, all you amazing people out there and thank you for your time!!!

 

 

Spring is here

Spring is here, bringing us lightness and cheer.  Colour is starting to abound wherever you look, bright yellows, trees full of pink cherry blossom,  The old is giving way to the new.  Piglets and baby lambs frollick in the fields, the air is filled with bird song as they fly hurridly here and there, enjoying the freedom of the bright blue skies, whilst searching for nourishment for their newly born young, which wait mouths open in expectation of wormy delights that may soon come their way.

Where am I going with all this do I hear you say, well to a video of the song ‘Silence in Springtime’, the last song in my CD.  It has been created by Geoff West.  The video features the beauty of Norfolk countryside.  It is a lovely video.  So do go and feast your eyes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2fKPbY1Ky4&feature=player_embedded

I have also been back in the studio, recording a song entitled ‘Where’s the Freeedom Now’.   The song was inspired by the new legislation which is due to come into effect on the 1st May which as it stands will result in the disappearance of many herbal remedies from independent retail stores.  For more information contact http://www.anhinternational.org/ 

I have some gigs lined up.  Had to cancel one last week, it would have been my first in months. Unfortunately I had a cold, which sadly prevented me from singing.  I had also just invested in a new singing course, Per Bristow which seemed to be very good only to have to put it on hold, my singing that is.  Such is life.  I am still waiting for the videos, it’s taking an age.  They say 28 days.  Do they come via paddle steamer? Anyway the next gig is scheduled for the 30th April at the Centre in Barnet. Not sure if the pianist I was hoping would be accompanying me will be able to make it.  Maybe I will have to accompany myself as I used to.  But not the preferable option and certainly not on a keyboard.  Different if it was a real piano but you don’t get an awful lot of dialogue going with most keyboards, sadly.

I also have a concert planned in Norfolk in May.  More information to follow in due course.

Until the next time.  Sending you lots of joy.

Nickie

A New Year

A new year dawns, new adventures, new happenings. A new life filled with beauty, love, light and laughter.  Cast off the old, tired old habits, embrace the new.

Enough of these musings, time for a bit of action.

Well what has been happening in my world.  I have recently moved to a delightful new setting in the heart of North Norfolk, home to royalty, lords and ladies, sheep, cattle, pheasants and now myself.  I do hope none of the aforementioned mind being mentioned in the same sentence, but its a free world or so they say.  If however you belong to any of the aforementioned, do post a comment below and I will of course endeavour to remedy the matter.

These past weeks, I have been writing new music, instrumentals as well as songs and have had some time in the recording studio.  The results of my efforts can be heard if you pop over to my Facebook profile and take a peak in the my Band section, where you will find clips of songs, full length songs as well as some piano solo pieces and instrumentals.   There is also now a store in the same location where I have made available some individual tracks for purchase.  How exciting !!  To make it easier for you guys click on the link below and hey presto you will be taken to the aforementioned destination.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nickie-Hart/18087286938?v=app_2405167945

I hope you are enjoying the start of a new year which I am sure will be simply glorious.  Hope you get to see some beautiful sunsets, hear the blissful music of the rustling trees and bask in the tranquil calm of the early dawn.Finally check out the book ‘Messages of Life from Death Row’, the story of Roger McGowen who is currently on death row for a crime he didn’t commit. It will take you to a world far far away with truths that maybe you have yet to encounter.

Wishing you a truly blissful, exciting and fulfilling year.

 

Nickie

Evolutionezine – video of ‘Be Yourself’ By Deb Booth

A few things this month.   Firstly evolutionezine, a wonderful ezine which features an array of highly informative and fascinating articles on everything and anything to do with life, mind, body and spirit has kindly dedicated a feature on my music these past two weeks.

http://evolutionezine.com/musical-artist-nickie-hart/

And Deb Booth of  Different Light Studio  has created a beautiful video using flowers and landscapes for the song ‘Be Yourself’ which has been included in the article.

http://www.differentlightstudio.com/

Do take a visit and do feel free to leave a comment.  Always love to hear from you.

I am also pleased to say that I finally got around to performing again.  The first time since December of last year.  How time does fly.  This time and much to my relief I was accompanied on 3 of the songs by Phil Curran, the producer and pianist on my CD.  Though 4 songs I performed myself.  Performing with an accompanist is so much nicer! So I shall in future be performing more often with Phil on piano or another pianist.  You never know we may even get another musician to join us.  The more the merrer!  Any musicians out there interested do get in touch.

Finally, a poem for all you poetry lovers out there.

Be Grateful

Put away that victim feeling

It serves no purpose at all

Unless to make you feel all sad and glum

So why do you succumb

Think of those poor souls without a home

Or those who really are  all alone

Or those perhaps with some disability

See them smiling at life’s adversity

For those you’ll see fighting to the end

Indeed they may be seen to set a trend

For the hardiest and strongest defenders

Of life that’s a blessing in a picturebook setting

So be grateful for everyday

For the flowers that bloom

For the waxing Moon

For the roof over your head

For your warm cosy bed

For the love in your heart

For Creation’s work of art

Give them strength

Give them Power

And see victimhood disempowered

Delight in your new found sunny disposition

Get others to sign your happy petition.

© 2010 Nicola M Manning

That’s all for now kind people.

Catch you again  sometime  soon.

Wishing you all things wonderful.

Nickie

Passing and Poetry

This week has been a rather sad one with the passing away of a close friend last week and the funeral taking place this week.  Two days before his birthday and less than a year after his diagnosis from lung cancer.  The death has given birth to some poetry and song and I would like to  share with you today one of the poems that have ensued.

—-oOo—

Grateful to have known thee

You never think anyone’s going to leave until the day they do

You think your lives will go on and on, how could they not do too

You never think anyone could desert you until that day arrives

You wonder how that could be, how could they go and die

The forest sings a healing hymn

As their ashes are scattered to the wind

Their name and spirit will remain

Though their body’s left this earthly plain

We sense them in the ether

In the trees the wind and the cool air

You see them as they used to be

Looking at you so very kindly

You see them walking proudly

In your mind’s eye you see it clearly

Grateful now to have these memories

Grateful now to have known thee

© 2010 Nickie Hart

He was in part involved in my music career and I will give more details in my next blog.

First performance in a home for Dementia + New Song

Greetings lovely people

I have been neglecting my blog recently but I am now returning with a vengeance well semi ..!

What has been occupying my time on the music front.  Firstly on the performance side.  Well no pubs or bars this time but instead a care home for people suffering from Dementia.  I thought it would be something different and probably more rewarding.  That is certainly true.  Even though some of the residents looked as if they may have preferred songs from the old music halls or even the odd aria, was it their smiling faces at the end of the performance that gave me that idea:-) though in my defence I do think there were the odd one or two who did seem to enjoy my performance.  So if that was the case then that’s certainly better than nothing.  If any of you reading this has a granny, mother aunt etc in a home which you know is seriously lacking in entertainment and you think that my music could cheer them up, then do drop me a line.

Now onto the subject of new material.  I have been writing new songs and instrumentals recently and I will be, as time goes by posting some of these on my website, My Space and Facebook pages.  I have recently uploaded a new song onto my Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nickie-Hart/18087286938, entitled ‘You’re Perfect’ – unfortunately though, the song in its current state is not, can you believe it, there are too many ‘perfects’ -  if that’s possible! Do hop over to Facebook and check it out and leave me some constructive critiscism if you feel minded to.  You can also leave a comment such as its the greatest thing you’ve ever heard – but I think that will arch many an eyebrow in comic disbelief, mine included, that is if I were able to perform such a feat, which is sadly not the case.  Sincere feedback is what we like, whether good or bad and always very much appreciated, afterall its your time we’re eating into.  Let me know if I can return the favour stipulating though whether constructive critiscism is required, afterall I don’t want to upset anyone, especially after I was deleted as a fan and friend when I offered some comments on their music which I thought were most helpful.  Sadly this person failed to appreciate my critique and bam, I was a gonna!

Finally onto promotion, which I shall attend to now and therefore must leave this blog much as I love writing it and sharing my thoughts with whoever cares to glance at it.

Bye for now lovely people and thanks for reading.

My first video!

Hi Guys and Gals

I hope 2010 is treating you all with the utmost respect, granting you all your wishes as the days unfold.

Just a little bit of news.  I’ve entered into the world of video, well tentatively I should add.  It hasn’t been with its hurdles I must say.  But my legs are of quite a good length and I always used to fair reasonably well at high jump.

The video is a very short piece taken in the recording studio a while ago.  It stars the producers that I work with, so you can see what we get up to when we fancy a break from recording music.    The link to the video is

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k2wTAQ2-4o

You may not enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed making it, though hopefully it will provide you with a miniscule amount of mirth.

Do leave a comment if you would like to.  Always love to hear from you.

On another note, all proceeds from purchases of my album ‘Will & Destiny’ made this month of February will go to the Haiti appeal.  Thank you for your support in advance.

Also still knocking on doors, windows or more realistically computer screens but as you probably are aware they are very hard to get through these days.  Occasionally I see a chink of light and am just waiting for that chink to become a deluge of beautiful warm sunlight.  Any tips on how to make slightly more speedier inroads into the world of music gratefully and humbly received.

A la prochaine.

Take care and above all have some fun!!

Nickie

‘Wonder’ and some musical musings

Well another year has almost disappeared and hopefully it has been a fruitful one for all, full of joys and pleasures and a bit of learning thrown in for good measure.

I note that I have been somewhat remiss once again with my blog although I do tend to blog more frequently on my my space page which tends to receive significantly more visitors than this one for some reason, over the 2000 mark to date and this one only boasts in excess of 300 so far.  So do feel free to browse some of my postings that adorn My Space, should the fancy so take you. www.myspace.com/nickiehart

Anyway a few bits and bobs re what I’ve been up to in the music world recently. 

I now have my mini album available for download on itunes and Amazon, so if you’d rather a copy in digital format than hardcopy do pop over there.  You can also purchase the hard copy version directly from my website at www.nickiehart.co.uk.  Definitely worth it, it comes with full lyrics and original artwork by the very talented John Karley.

Been doing some performing with another gig lined up for this Tuesday, when I shall have the pleasure of playing on a real piano.  There are so few venues these days that have pianos, gone are the days when every pub, club and bar would have one as a matter of course, often taking pride of place in what may often have been a very, drab and dreary drinking establishment.

On to my CD now.  I was advised by a music lawyer not to make a CD but I ignored his words of wisdom, throwing any spare cash into the recording and producing of the CD.  Apart from some initial sales mainly from friends, sales have been, how shall I put it, interesting!  Always a useful word, that one:-) If anyone amongst you has any clues on how to boost sales, do let me know and leave your comments below.

Good news though, I did actually make some money from the film score that I wrote $100.  one of the initial versions can be listened to on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nickie-Hart/18087286938 you need to click on the boxes tab at the top of the page.  Its about 14 minutes in length.  Its called ‘Girl in the Swamp’.  People who have listened to it, like it, so maybe you will too.  The music is quite inoffensive, so you can let it play quietly in the background as you get on with whatever you want to get on with. 

Also I am currently the featured artist on Icarus Radio.  They will be playing one of my tracks every two hours or so.  Why not pop over and take a listen www.icarusradio.co.uk.

And now I think its time for a poem, always good to finish a blog with a poem, me thinks, its the desert after the main meal or something like that:-)

And finally before the poem, if I don’t make it back here before the end of the year, have yourselves a wonderful festive season full of hearty cheer and joyous moments.

Wonder

We wonder what we’re doing here

and wonder what its all about

Each involved in trivial pursuits

and always on the go,

Ruled forever by our ego

thats always keen to show

the miraculous being that we are

of such intricate design

our bodies and minds so well defined

Are we running out of time?

Faced with challenges we learn to grow

Remember always go with the flow

Acccepting life’s ups and downs

why your loved one may never be around

Accepting  hidden flaws and hidden agendas

Still we wonder why we walk so trepidly on this earth

just a breath away from another world.

copyright 2009 Nickie Hart

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.