Hadar Manor - Tales From above and underground

Recognise Magazine: "We thoroughly recommend listening to her album, ‘Crossing london’, to soak in her storytelling lyrics recounting busking journeys from the Judas mountains to Charing Cross station" April 2011

2011-06-10T04:03:00.000-07:00

recognise lifestyle with a conscience

2011-05-31T13:54:00.000-07:00

recognise lifestyle with a conscience

Glastonbury 2010

2010-07-03T13:36:00.001-07:00

Getting to the site with thousands of people, feels like exodus.

Des helping me get my stuff to the camping area on his bike - so much better than carrying it on my back!

http://www.marthatilston.co.uk/

We are all just fish in a cage

These girls were amazing.

http://www.myspace.com/raevennanhusbandes

On the Avalon Cafe stage, great gig!

Well what's new?

At a live session on Worthy FM. Two drunken guys walked in the middle of the session insisting they are booked for an interview :)

The 'Wishing Bog'

Someone threw sparkly dust on this police man's hat...Looks like he liked it.

The tree museum

It was full moon. How magical can it get?

This woman didn't let motherhood spoil her party, she just wheeled her child in a wheel barrel every party she went to.

Tom & Vashti

Vashti & me

So many people

So many people

- Then at Charlie Winston's gig, bit of a larf backstage.

Stevie Wonder, a wonder indeed.
The man is a saint. He left me in tears when he dedicated the gig to to all people with physical disabilities & said may this be a proof that anything is possible. He was such a strong performer but at the same time looked so vulnerable when had to be guided off stage.

2010-06-12T10:12:00.000-07:00

Arriving at The Cut in Halesworth , Suffolk.

I'm to play a solo support slot before Jack and his New World band take over, than I did a few songs with them too!
Sound check (Don't you just love sound checks? ....mm I find them soooo boooring ...)

Then fish n' chips at the locals (fresh fish , very nice) Suffolk is by the North sea you see.

Solo gig went so well! Will put a video here too. Sang a mixture of Hebrew and English songs. Cook a man went particularly well:)

We arrived at night, totally dark!
This is the view we discovered in the morning when we opened the door...

Annie, Jack's girlfriend fed us much needed breakfast.

Jack's folks turn up with their funny dog :)
Not a good look darling dog, you gotta smile you know...

Time to leave...I could have stayed on that beach for a year or two.

Missing The Road

2009-12-05T16:49:00.000-08:00

You know what I want? What I really really want?
Zega ze ah..ehmm no,

In the year of 2010 I wish to get a camper van and tour around Uk & Europe!

This is what I'm gonna do, I just realised it!

Need to sort my driving license first...

Anyone got a camper van for sale?

Peace
Hadar x

Power To The People

2009-12-05T15:23:00.000-08:00

After being locked in the house for the past few days, I decided it's time to face the world.
Armed with a much needed umbrella I left home heading West.
After an hour of walking in the rain, I ended up on Kilburn high road, in front of me - Powers Bar.
Run by Vince Power of the Mean Fiddler empire and have live music nearly every night.
It's pretty grotty, well, it's a London pub, armed with smelly toilets an all.
Ordered a vodka diet Coke and walked to sit in a back room when I realised the room I wanted to enter was in fact a mirror... It made me wonder if it's some kind of analogy to life, we want to walk into new rooms but are they just like the ones you're in at the moment?

There were a couple of guys chatting in a heavy Irish accent and an old man reading a paper.

Then the door opened and the band walked in. They didn't have their instruments with them but it was obvious they were a band.
After a tedious half hour of setting up, sound check started.
Tall girl in mini skirt & attitude on bass, singer and guitarist sported that same hair cut everyone have at the moment ( ie Russell Brand for reference) drummer's got a Pete Doherty hat. Loud riffs not sure bout the lyrics, couldn't tell, they were fine, not bad not good, just another indie band. Yes, what the world needs is another 4 piece indie guitar band. Ok, I'm being harsh, me being a songwriter and all. Just fancied something a bit different.
I then moved to the Good Ship, just across the road.
Same thing here, only this time there was a girl drummer.
I liked the last band I saw - Yngve & The Innocent http://www.myspace.com/yngve

These days more than ever, it's becoming clear that people want to hear all sorts of kinds of music.
Yet, you put the radio on and they play the same bands same songs over and over again.

Now we have the Internet, we can make our own choices! power to the people!

And on thit note,
Going for a long hot bath,
Peace,
Hadar x

Always Coca Cola?!?

2009-11-25T04:54:00.000-08:00

So, turns out London Underground is signing a sponsorship deal with Coca Cola.

Soon all the pitches on the underground will be covered with the unmistakable logo.
Buskers are introduced to a competition of 'Who plays most pitches & sing Coca Cola jingles' and can win something around £500 or so.

The first thing that came to mind when I heard the news, was an interview I once read with
Bjork, who said "she'll never wear Jeans or drink Coca Cola".

And there is of course the Neil Young well known title track of his 1988 album
This Note's For You:
"Ain't singin' for Pepsi, ain't singin' for Coke. I don't sing for nobody, makes me look like a joke."
But that was in 1988.

Now days we have ex punk pioneers such as Iggy pop the ‘inventor of punk’ appearing in insurance ads.
So, Ok it’s not quite smearing yourself in blood and peanut butter while jumping naked off the stage, but the spirit is there.
( Turns out Swiftcover didn't actually insure musicians...)

And how could we forget Sex Pistols's Johnny Rotten face spread all over town in Country Life butter posters spread all over town, in the name of Britishness.

Then of course we have Ringo Starr in the same campaign - who I'm sure is desperate for the cash. Lets not forget Alice Cooper and the list goes on...

But just because you dance with the devil does it mean you have to sleep with him?
Unlike these mega celebrities, buskers do need the money.
As my friend the accountant turned busking harpist; Peter Murphy says
"If you dangle a carrot in front of a musician they'll take it. They need the money"

The difference between a busker to the Iggy Pops and the Ringo Starrs is that £500 pounds for a busker may mean being able to make their rent, while Ringo might spend this kind of amount on a bottle of sparkly.

For decades buskers symbolized the non-conformist free spirited of musicians.
people who go against the grain.
Killing this is the last proof that capitalism is still the strongest monster around
and it bites us all.

I don't know what would have happened if I was offered a pile of cash and exposure to march in the name of a certain product.
I don't want to be a hypocrite, I can't promise I won't do it.
Thing is, I do drink Coke and like it.

But it bothers me that a huge cooperate like Coca Cola is offering the measly amount of prize money of £2,250 will be shared between 4 buskers to be won in a competition among 250 buskers or so.
This means some buskers out there would be standing for hours singing Coke jingles in December weather, and won't make a penny from Coke.

The irony is that this sponsorship deal is actually a positive thing for the buskers.
It means that London Underground who has no previous experience in music management maybe able to efford an external busking management.

I always expressed my support in the licensing of busking on the merits of treating buskers as respectable musicians and free the police to deal with real crime.

This means that there's a need for a management team that will involve a buskers committee in these kind of issues, as they are the people who are being affected directly by these decisions.

As a result rumours such as ; That buskers will wear Pepsi T shirts while this campaign is running...Yes, better communication is needed!?

On A rock In The Middle Of The North Sea

2009-11-22T18:09:00.000-08:00

Just back from playing two gigs today, both in London. First was at Monkey Chews, which was cool. It's MI7 Sessions or Sunday Sessions rather, in any case it was great.

I love playing on my own and then have the band join me, it's like two gigs rolled into one.
And what more than the people who played on 'Crossing London' album ( Or 'Queen Of The Underground' - The name I was suggested recently - We'll see bout that, maybe when I re release it next year ).

This is a busy week starting tomorrow, the highlight is on Wed,
when I have the appointment in Brent City Hall to apply for my British Citizenship!
I can't believe I waited so long to do it.
What's really annoying is that it used to cost £250 up till 2 years ago or so. Now it bloody £750!!!
That's a pretty expensive passport...

Mind you I get to enjoy life on this lovely island.
No palm trees unfortunately no coconuts either.
At list Health & Safety make sure things are run smoothly here.

But I mustn't moan cause mos days I love living in England and soon
( hopefully ) I'll be able to: 'Press on regardless and remember I'm ( nearly ) British.

Ok well must crawl into bed,

Peace,

Hadar x

The Joker

2009-09-27T16:28:00.001-07:00

Festival kids rock. x

The Times They Are A-Changin'

2009-09-09T03:27:00.000-07:00

Things must be really tough if the editor of the Financial Times is going busking...

Here's a link to an article by peter Whitehead, the online editor of the Financial Times.
Peter went down and tried his hand busking and got hooked.
He came to ask for advice from me and some of the tips I gave him worked while others didn't...
This is the funny thing with busking, you can do a great set on a certain day and yet the response might not be as good as a different day, when you may feel you haven't played well but the crowds seem to like it.
There are so many variable in this equation; the time of day, the weather, songs one plays and how one feels, the instrument and so on...
Anyway, have a read and let me know what you think,
Love,
H x
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/072110da-8d20-11de-a540-00144feabdc0.html

This is the news on BBC1

2009-08-21T06:17:00.000-07:00

Today so far has been one of those strange days...

It started yesterday with a call from LU press office asking if a TV crew will film me tomorrow busking.

I was sure it was going to be a local channel, something like London tv but when they turned up , it was actually a BBC1 news crew.

I didn't mention but this was a very early pitch at Canary Wharf. lots of suits, in fact thousands of them passing by.

Now, I hardly ever play morning pitches (there is a major reason for choosing my bohemian lifestyle, and getting up early isn't one of them).

The first half hour wasn't easy, bankers are not happy people these days.

Then I remembered I used to play Dolly Parton's 9-5, so I played a slowed down version of it and it went down a storm, for obvious reasons.

When the TV crew arrived I ended up playing it along Queen Of The Underground.

I hope they show Queen Of The Underground on TV, I'm sure Dolly doesn't need any more exposure or funds...

Anyway, if you're around tonight, tune into the news at 10pm and you may get to see me looking like i normally do at this obscene hour of the morning:)

Hopefully it'll be good. Take care for now,

Love,

Hadar

It's A Small world after All

2009-05-29T07:31:00.000-07:00

Most of you probably never heard of Small World festival.
True to it's name, it is pretty small.
And this is one of it's charms. This is the 3rd year for to play it and it gets better every year.
Based in a random field in Kent (back of a farm) stretched over a couple of fields, there's only about four stages and endless great bands and acts playing.
I filmed a couple of videos of Undercover Hippie and Three Wise Men (there were five of them in the end...) playing some great political songs and getting the crowd jumping.
There's lots of great artists: Nathan Ball, Kerry Tree, Planet Man, Martha Tilston, Rodney Branigan (A man who plays two guitars and sings at the same time!)... gypsy bands from east Europe & France...
I played 3 slots in one day, the last one at 3am, by then I was seeing double, which was fine cause everything around me looked great, I didn't mind seeing it twice.
In true gypsy style, I only had my guitar but no tent or even sleeping bag... F88k that:) We just stayed up all night jamming and parting. Life is good!
Here's some pics & videos.

The Beautiful People

2009-05-15T03:11:00.000-07:00

Here's a few snaps from Vashti's beautiful gig at Ginglik, a couple of days ago. Notice how Lara is keeping a straight face while we both go for the expressive one :)
We hada a bit of a party at the Mighties after, but I gotta rush out to play Leicester Sq, before someone nicks it! x

Luck Of The Irish

2009-05-08T16:53:00.000-07:00

I went to Ireland for a few days. A short little stunt.
One gig in Dublin and then a train to play again in Belfast.
I have to say, it was a touch weird but great!.
Dublin was super. The boys went on with their pub crowl I hung around to watch a great band busking in Temple Bar.
I thought "great I'll see some good old Irish busking", turns out they were from Manchester :)
We drank Guinness (Don't make me say what I think of it - please) and danced to cheesy U2 covers and a very touristic show, but who cares, I was a tourist and loved it.
Belfast is a fascinating place and I was sorry
I didn't get more time to see it properly. I did however get the whole story and beyond from the taxi drivers down there...Just get them started and you're in for while;)
I took a couple of videos on my phone but I can't figure out how to get them on my Mac...any ideas?
Anyway, here's a few Irish sayings I found. Enjoy...

Morning is the time to pity the sober. The way they're feeling then is the best they're going to feel all day.

An Irish youth proves his manhood by getting stuck in a pint, in a woman, and in a fish - in that order.

Daylight comes through the drunkard's roof the fastest.

Before you call for one for the road be sure you know the road.

The truth comes out when the spirit goes in.

The devil invented Scotch whiskey to make the Irish poor.

It's the first drop that destroys you; there's no harm at all in the last.

Spank The Monkey

2009-04-26T17:33:00.000-07:00

My friend Geoff Southall (with 2 Ls at the end - Yes ok I made a mistake on the album credits...)
Who if you don't know, recorded a chunk of 'Crossing London' with me at MI7.
Started a night at Monkey Chews - Camden Town.
Well actually it's a whole Sunday of music, fun and games.
I opened his first ever day with 'Cook A Man' just to make sure people understand we are serious here:) I'm not sure what I'm trying to say, but hey nobody's perfect.
Anyway, we all wore mustaches.
I think I look rather good with one. Any objections?
A couple of snaps with the gorgeous Spencer Pierce too.

East Is East

2009-04-20T06:33:00.000-07:00

What a great weekend! Spent it with the Mighties (http://www.myspace.com/themightyroars)at their flat overlooking Hoxton Sq, pure rock'nroll:)
But hey, why not?

It's like having a picnic on the Square only in the comfort of your own home, with the occasional meetings with random people who come to visit the area.
'Crossing London' was mixed partly produced & recorded by David Pringuer in the flat next door. ( which could stand as a good omen :) )

We returned home a day and half later than planned, a bit under the influence but happy. A had lots of photos to work on and I had an invite in my inbox from the Big Green Gathering festival to play there.
I never been but I hear it's great and the cause is truly important!

Going to see OiVaVoi tonight at Proud galleries with Vashti Anna,
I haven't seen them play their new album and Bridgette Amofa is always a joy to watch.
really looking forward to it!

The Radio 2 'maybe I'm Amazed' had a great reception. It's interesting to realise that the same song could mean totally different things to different people. I could only give it my own personal interpretation and I'm happy it tickled many of you.

Right, well I better be off now, but take it easy.

Hadar x

'Crossing London' Mini Launch

2009-03-14T17:21:00.000-07:00

After an eventful & creative year of writing, recording & celebrating life with my good friends from the busking world and beyond. I'm happy to be launching my album for close friends and the people who took part in the making of it, on Tue March 24th, at 12 Bar Club, Denmark St. Many of the musicians who played on this album will play support slots and join me on stage for my show. It would be lovely to share it with you! Playing on the night in no particular order: Vashti Anna, Sean Taylor, Bare Hat, Judith Haustein, Wayne Myers, Diego Lavardes, Daniel Spiller & The Broken Record Project, Gemma Fuller, Tom Fry, Geoff Southall, Spencer Pierce, The Entertainment, Beth Rowley... Come down and join us! Take it easy! Hadar x

I'm attaching some of the artwork from the album. The charcoal image is by Galen Wainwright.

On Tour with Vashti & Beth Rowley

2008-11-04T12:33:00.000-08:00

I'm having a great time singing with those two lovely artists and friends!
Last night we played in City varieties in Leeds, a music hall built in 1865! (Apprently the Charlie Chaplin performed there)
Back stage was like a maze and I can't remember how many times I got lost just getting from the dressing room to the stage door, true Spinal Tap moments!
We have two more shows to go, Wed Nov 5th in Brighton and Dec 9th in Bristol.
If you're around , come down it's a great night.
Lots of love,
Hadar x
p.s
I'm attaching pictures of Vashti's first gig with us band at Oxford. Beth came to watch the gig and ended up singing on stage with us. We never planned it, but we wore similar dresses, it was meant to happen...