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The Insatiable Darren Hayes
Darren Hayes talks Party In The Park, his imminent tour, hobnobbing with the stars in Milan and washing up as Star Wars C3P0! Check out the full interview here
How are you doing?
I'm ok, I've had a bit of flu, but I'm lucky it coincided with a few days off.
We went to Milan for a few promotional things that didn't involve singing, so here I am, and I'm getting my voice back.
Did it involve shopping?
It involved sitting on the front row at a Versace show, it's the first time I've ever done that.
It was hilarious. I loved it. It was pretty cool in terms of how much money they spent on the production,
it made me think about my tour - if they can spend that much money on a fashion parade think what I could do!
Do you ever wear Versace?
I did that night!
What do you think about your fans?
I love my fans, they're the best in the world.
The response in the UK has overwhelmed me.
I could almost move here at the moment I've been here so much because of the support here - it's been incredible.
Tell us a weird fact about yourself?
I was obsessed with 'Star Wars' as a kid,
some say I still am. I used to wash up the dishes as C3PO.
I would do it with this weird robot voice!
You're about to go on tour aren't you?
Yeah. After this trip I go to Australia to rehearse,
and I'll be in the UK in October. It's going to be exciting. It's called 'Too Close For Comfort'.
What kind of venues are you playing?
Small theaters. I don't want to give too much away,
but I'm working with the same team that designed the last Savage Garden tour. It's a U2 team that I love,
so it's cool. It's definitely a soul show - me and a seven-piece band - very in your face.
Are you looking forward to Party In The Park?
Yeah, big time. I've done Party In The Park once
before and I remember when
I walked up to the stage and looked at the
crowd I just about
pooped my pants with fear and excitement!
I'm very excited about it, it's a great line up.
I'm excited to hang out back stage and be on stage.
It's going to be wonderful.
This is pretty much the biggest gig any artist can do.
If they're telling you any different they're Madonna!
Do you get nervous?
If I didn't get nervous it probably wouldn't be a good show.
I need that kind of excitement and you have to feel like it's a tightrope and you could fall on your face -
and sometimes I have.
Listen to the ful Interview at this link..ENJOY!!
http://stream3.capitalinteractive.co.uk/audio/capitalfm/onair/foxy/Foxy&DarrenHayes.asf
INTERVIEW WITH DARREN HAYES
Q:Here is where we asked some of your questions!
Are you still the boy from Brisbane?
D:Im a boy from logan, I grew up there - I was there for 19 years of my life - my family still live there and I know Daniel's family still lives there - so Im still a logan boy! So yeah I'm still the boy from Brisbane!
Q:What are your thoughts on the success of your single and album?
D:Im honestly overwhelmed... the way I think about my career at the moment... I have had an amazing opportunity with Savage Garden and with my own solo stuff I feel like a brand new artist I didn't expect any handouts or anything and the people have been so warm and wonderful. I think the result here in Australia and the result in the UK has shocked me because my expectations were quite low.. ive been trtying to be quite humbele and realistic about it so Im thrilled... its amazing!
Q:Relief?
D:Its not really relief because I wasnt expecting to dominate the world. I think for me the choice to make a solo album was a bit of a gamble and I could have stuck with something that is successfull and in some ways a little easier. This has been more of a struggle... been a bit of a push and I think that I love that -I love the fact that I have to start again.. I feel like Im 18!Q:Fans are noticing difference in not only your music but also a different look?
D:Yeah, Well I turn 30 this year - I got sick of dying my hair black - Im the same person and I think that when you see me on stage tonight you will see that - I just love to sing and love to write songs Im luckly enough t have this relationship with the fan base for 6 or 7 years and people have grown up with me and Im happy that people are letting me grow up too.
Q:Do people recognise you?
D:I dont know - My mum does - I look like i did when I was 18!
Q:Do blonds have more fun?
Im having a lot of fun I tell you - its a lot of fun at the moment
Q:Why's that?
D:I think it has a lot to do with turning 30. I think really been breaking for everything that I've acheived. I dont expect anything more than I have been given. I've always had that attitude that Im happier to work hard and if successes and awards and acolades come then thats a bonus but for me, Im being pushed and Im being challenged in this stage of my life and how wonderful that feeling is to see that your still vital and thats how I feel... I dont feel like im in retirement phase at all I feel like I have to work as anyone does and awards have been a lot more satisfying as a result.
Q:Have you ever performed on the Gold Coast?
D:When I was in a cover band with Daniel it was called 'Red Edge' and we played a lot of northern NSW and what have you, but I didnt play a lot in the Gold Coast I think I once played at a club here but we weren't that successfuul in Brisbane, we always had to leave to get the gigs.
Q:Was it a spin out being back home with your family?
D:its great, my parents live out in the bush and this morning I went out for a run like I was 18 again you know I could just do an hour long jog around my neighbourhood and say hello to the cows and the neighbours, everybody just treats me like a person when I come home and I love that! Its great - people just treat me like a regular person and thats what I love about being in Brisbane.
Q:Is Spin a pop album?
D:Yes it is.. pop with a capital P I think.. it's a bit schitzofrenic this record.. its not sure what it wants to be and I love that! I think thats what a debut record should be.
Q:Does it feel like you are starting all over again?
D:Yeah many ways definately!
Q:America- how big a challenge is it?
D:it's a big challenge for everyone.. it takes sometimes six months for a single to really crack there.. Insatiable has been out a couple of months there and its always been a gradual build in america - I know it took us six or seven months to break I knew I loved You and Truly Madly Deeply, Kylie's (Minogue) success there might seem like an overnight success but she's been pushing for years to really break it in America. Its wierd for me because at the moment the album has debuted in the top 10 in every country in the world but the US - it's doing what it always does to me in the US ... it just bubbling under and I like that.. I think if I were Ricky Martin, if I was some kind of phenomenon, I dont think I could handle that.. I like that it is real and that is consistent and I can handle that!
Q:Does it take a bit of getting used to doing it without Daniel?
D:Maybe initially in the studio because he is such an amazing song writer and producer and we really colaborated so much together but I think thats part of the joy as well is really stretching myself creatively.
Rove Show Live Interview With Darren
April8th 2002!
Rove: when we return! Darren Hayes!!
(Darren is sitting next to Anastacia pointing at her like a groupie and shes doing the same thing, he looks so cute!! *giggles madly*)
Commercials. Gotta love them commercials! I LOVE that holeproof undies ad!!
Rove returns and talks about someone coming out in the BB house *cant wait to see whoooo!!!* and does What the..?! which was so unbelievably FUNNY this week!!!
Blipvert!
Rove: the next guest became famous by selling 20 million albums as the frontman of the band Savage Garden, hes back with his solo album SPIN and new single Insatiable here he comes now! Darren Hayes!!!
Darren walks in, left hand in his pocket and does a cheeky lil point at the camera as he comes past, arrives onstage with Rove and confides in him
D: That really freaked me out!!
R: one of the strongest walk-ins weve had! Pretty good!
They sit down, Roves still talking about Darrens walk, Darrens not paying attention, hes checking out the bowl of M&Ms Rove always has on the coffee table
D: I see you have my M&Ms the way Ive asked for them!
R: Its all RocknRollwould you like one? Very few - I offer them, Ive even had a supermodel eat them.
Darren seems to be wrestling with the decision, either that or trying to get comfy in the chair! He cant sit still! As Roves still talking, he leans over and grabs one whispering Ill have one! He puts it in his mouth and THEN asks
D: Are they real?
R (in funny squeaky voice): Yeah! (shakes his head)
Darren has a funny look on his face as he chews it.
R (in Dr. Evil like voice): Except forthat one!!!
D: Heh*looks around really nervously and makes a face* Oh
R: How are you?
D: Aw Ive got an M&M in my mouth now, havent I!
R: Now Ill ask you lots of questions
D (with mouth full): Im great!
R: might as well have given you a bit of a sandwich or something!
D: That was a funny joke about the A minor! (During another segment, someone sent soemthing in and their name was Barbara A. Major and Rove said Thats Barbara sang likethisBARBARA!)
R: Major
D: Minor, Im sorry
R: thank goodness for funny names!
they mutter together)
R: How are you are you TIRED? Youve had a LONG day
D: I am! God, I look it dont I? Please dont answer that!
R: You look fine, you look good, you look good
D: Im really happy, its been one of the best, the best trips back to Australia that Ive ever had because for the last 6 or 7 years Ive been so busy that when I come home its been a bit of a circus but this time its been great!
R: But youre only here for a short amount of time
D: its two weeks
R: Two weeks, thats not much, is it all going to be press in that time?
D: It kinda has been, I did have 3 days off for easter, I went to the Taronga Zoo! *waits for reaction from crowd* which was good in Sydney, I know youre not that thrilled with thatbut
(crowd laughs, Rove protests)
D: I had the best time, I got to feed these animals and stuff (he looks sooo pleased with himself!)
R: Likethe giraffe? Its good the way the giraffes (makes hand movement , I have NO idea what hes getting at!)
D (really proud): I went backstage! At the ZOO!
(crowd and Rove laugh)
R: Do you get a laminate pass?!
D: KINDA! You get to feed like the baby RhinoI got Echidna spit on my fingers! (he sounds like an obsessed fan of zoo life at this point!)
R: Echidna SPIT? Do you have a favourite animal at the zoo?
D: uhThe monkey. (nods)
R: Any particular kind of monkey? Theres a lotta monkies!
D: Uh.
R: The little ones?
D: Uhspider monkey (nods)
(hes kinda acting like a lil kid thought this! Its so cute!)
R: SPIDER monkey, rightIm a HIPPO man myself!
(Darren and crowd laugh)
D: Yeah? Hey, whatever floats your boat
(laughter from all of them)
R: So but home for you is San Francisco now, Well thats where you live
D: Well its where I liveHome is Australia, but Ive been there for four years now
R: And whats it like in San Fran?
D: Whats it like?Ummits a LOT like Sydney actuallyits the ONLY place in America where I could actually live I mean I could never live in LA, I think its pretty fake and I dont know how I ended up there but I just did and I dunno, theres a lot of beautiful forrests and oceans and really cool peopleits good!
R (always the little kid): Have you been to ALCATRAZ?!
D: Yeah I took mum and Dad there a recently
R: Whats it like?
D (with straight face): Its pretty much a prison on a rock(nods sincerely)
(Crowd and Rove laugh)
R: Was Shaun Connery in there?!
D (figeting): Ummmm no, he wasnt but I have a picture of my brother Can I say hello to my family before we move on?!
R: Yeah, sure, its a cheerio!
D: Himum, Dad everybody. Ive never done that on TV before but theyre watching and Im very excited. But I had a picture of my brother sitting on the can at Alcatraz with his little headphones on in the toilethis cans on in the can!
(Darren mimes it, then checks out the M&Ms again)
R: And er at the moment, youre sitting here with yourer nicely cropped hair and your little shave-y beard thing coz last time I saw you had the really blonde hair that was a bit longer and then on the album cover its a bit longer and but straighterIWe cant keep up!
D: I know! How can you keep up with it?!
R: Youre like Madonna!
D in ocker voice: I a MALE MADONNA!
R: WE CANT KEEP UP!
D (still ocker): Aw!
D (suddenly lost for words: IOh! Its just hair folks!! Touch it! Can you touch it?
(leans in towards Rove, Rove looks a bit worried and pats Darrens head)
R (hesitates): There we go, yup.
D: See? Just hair! And it really is this colour and when its longer its curlier and lighter you guys didnt really think my hair was like that did you? It costs $8 from a chemist, you put it in your hair and there you go!
AOL-Australia Chat With Darren
Friday, April 5, 2002
op sensation DARREN HAYES chatted with AOL members about his hit solo
album, Spin, and life after Savage Garden.
Live Host: Hi Darren :) Thanks so much for chatting with us tonight.
Darren Hayes: G'day cyberkids! It's your Uncle Darren :)
Live Host: We've got literally hundreds of questions for you, so
let's get straight into them.
Question: Hey Darren, I just want to start off by saying that I love
your music. How has your solo career differed from life in Savage
Garden?
Darren Hayes: I just want to start off by saying that I love you
loving me :) My solo career is mostly just busier in the business
department. I have to spend more time dealing with accountants and
managers and lawyers, schedules, bands. But it's fun.
Question: Hi Darren! I LOVE your music, thanks for sharing so much of
your heart & soul with us all. My question is: you have been doing
some showcases for 'Spin', which song have you found gets the best
audience reaction?? PS. I LOVE the new look too.
Darren Hayes: Well thank you! 'Good Enough' seems to be the song that
people love most live. It's a gospel version of the song and it
really hits home. But so far a lot of the up-tempo stuff is working
really well.
Question: Can you tell us when your next single is going to come out
and what it's about?
Darren Hayes: My next single is called 'Strange Relationship' and
it's about everyone I've ever had. Tonight I think I'm actually
insane, I've decided - but that's OK. I've just shot the video in
Sydney, Australia and I have to say that it's the coolest thing
I've
ever done. It's a one-take video details at 11!
Question: How long did the album Spin take to put together?
Darren Hayes: From writing to finishing the mix it took about one
year.
Question: Is songwriting a form of therapy for you?
Darren Hayes: Songwriting definitely is cathartic - it's like free
therapy. I'm very dramatic lately with my songwriting, so sometimes
it can be very freeing to fantasise with my music and my lyrics, and
almost play a character. I've enjoyed that.
Question: Hi Darren. Can I just tell you how much I LOVE your music.
It has lifted me when nothing else could, so HUGE hugs to you! My
question is: if you could choose just one song that you have written
that you could be remembered by, what song would it be & why?
Darren Hayes: If I had to choose one song right now it would have to
be 'Good Enough' because it really does convey a lot of the things I
believe about life. But I'm really honoured that people relate to my
lyrics, because I am a sucker for lyrics myself.
Question: Out of all of the great singers in the world, who would you
love most of all to do a duet with?
Darren Hayes: Annie Lennox or Sarah McLachlan.
Question: Have you had any embarrassing moments onstage?
Darren Hayes: All the time. They usually involve me forgetting
lyrics, and it's usually 'Any time I need to see your face I just
blahblahblah' :)
Question: Are you planning on coming on tour in the US in 2002?
Darren Hayes: Yes. I want to tour everywhere!
Question: Who do you admire the most in the entertainment industry?
Darren Hayes: John Farnham - just kidding! I do like John very much,
he's a very funny, friendly man. But probably Bono, because he's
always using his celebrity for the greater good of mankind.
Question: Congratulations on your success now and in the past! Do
you have any secret or special way in which you cope with the fame
and all?
Darren Hayes: The second special way I cope with fame is doing yoga
it relaxes me.
Question: Hi Darren I have been a big fan of yours for a long time.
I saw your show last night, I really enjoyed it. I love your solo
album. Will you be doing live concerts in the future?
Darren Hayes: There will hopefully be some shows in Australia
towards the end of the year and the rest of the world to follow -
keep an eye on my website - www.darrenhayes.com or Keyword: Darren
Hayes for dates
Question: Will u be releasing a DVD/ video with your songs and music
videos later on???
Darren Hayes: I hope to release all the music videos from Spin
eventually on DVD, sure.
Question: I think you're great. Where do you get the inspiration
for
your songs?
Darren Hayes: I steal ideas from other people :) Just from life, like
anyone else would. When I'm writing I keep a journal of ideas and
melodies are always flowing around in my head. And my music is pretty
much autobiographical; although on Spin I did have a little bit of
fun with stepping outside myself.
Question: What was your first job when you were younger?
Darren Hayes: My first job was working for the milkman. I was
underage, and if I had been caught I would have been fined. My 2nd
job was working in a fruit store. Every time they rang a bell, like
Pavlov's dogs, I would have to run out and carry boxes for married
women to their cars. My third job was working at Woody's music store.
My fourth job was working in a band with Daniel Jones called Rededge.
My fifth job was a preschool teacher. And my sixth job was in this
band called Savage Garden.
Question: What's the worst thing about being a pop star?
Darren Hayes: Commuting - the drive from the airport to the hotel,
although apparently it's only 45 minutes wherever you are. I ask that
question every time, thinking that the answer will be different, but
it's always 45 minutes!
Question: What type of music do you like to listen to in your free
time?
Darren Hayes: I love music, all kinds of it. I don't know if my
musical taste is very cool, because I listen to everything from my
old Michael Jackson records to Fleetwood Mac. Lately I've been
getting into this band called Basement Jaxx, and there's this band
from the UK called Spiritualize that's very cool.
Question: Where in the world do you like performing the most?
Darren Hayes: Where in the world don't I? Probably Brisbane
Entertainment Centre. Hopefully not falling off the stage, as I have
done at that particular venue. A hometown crowd's always good. But my
favourite ever gig was in a little club in Brazil.
Question: What is your favourite childhood memory?
Darren Hayes: My favourite childhood memory is the year that I got
all my Star Wars toys for Christmas. We were very poor, living in a
caravan park, and we had Big Rooster chicken for Christmas dinner,
but my mother had been saving up all year to buy all the figurines
from Big W, and I got 24 in one hit, which was a big deal.
Question: If you could choose between the film or music industry,
what would you be more likely to choose?
Darren Hayes: I would always choose music first. But I am interested
in film. It would have to be something that's very suited to me
though. I don't want to be a movie star, but I would love to be in
some sort of fantasy film like Lord of the Rings or Moulin Rouge
Question: If you could have any celebrity in your next film clip who
would it be???
Darren Hayes: I would choose Cyndi Lauper because she hasn't been
around for a while - probably since 1983 - but she's always had cool
hair, and she's fun, and she's got a cool voice. Or that plus-sized
gentleman with facial hair who always played her father [in her video
clips] - I think his name was Lou.
Question: If you could change one thing in your music career, what
would it be?
Darren Hayes: My haircut, weekly. Oh! I already do! I really am so
happy and so lucky, I have the best job in the world, because I get
paid to do what I love to do.
Question: Where are you now????
Darren Hayes: I'm in the Sydney office of AOL, and I love AOL!
Question: What is it like to be famous? Do you get really annoyed
with lots of cameras in your face all the time?
Darren Hayes: I don't feel very famous at all, actually, and I wish
there were more cameras in my face, I'd feel more like a celebrity. I
arrived at an airport once, there were all these paparazzi
everywhere. I thought they were all there for me. And I got off the
plane and put on my sunglasses, thinking 'Bother!', ready to brave
their flashes. And not a single frame was taken of me. They were all
there to see some Olympic star. I walked past them feeling all smug
thinking 'Ha ha, they're all here for me and they haven't spotted me'
and then I realised they weren't. I now know that God strikes down
the smug ;)
Question: What's the weirdest thing a fan has done for you?
Darren Hayes: Someone did once create a lifelike Phantom of the Opera-
esque rendition of my face in porcelain that I would sometimes put on
my face and stare at its eerie, uncanny resemblance to the other half
of me. It was kind of creepy, but kind of cool. Thank you if you're
out there!
Question: Do you think that being an Australian has given you an edge
when confronting the global market with the way that Aussies are
headlining in the US at the moment or do you think it's a hindrance?
Darren Hayes: I think that being an Australian has helped me because
it's made me grounded and it's given me a good sense of humour about
everything, not to take it too seriously.
Live Host: This'll be our last question tonight:
Question: If you were stuck on a desert island with one item, what
would that item be?
Darren Hayes: Sunscreen! :)
Live Host: Thanks so much for joining us at AOL Live, Darren.
Darren Hayes: Thank you so much for hanging out for the AOL chat, and
especially the people around the world who had to stay up late. And I
love you - I'll see you soon.
*Thanks to the great friends on the sony bbs..you know who you are* |
