In the week leading up to the release of Savage Garden's debut self-titled album, the RED IRC channel (#red on Australian Undernet) had a visit from Darren Hayes and Daniel Jones, the two charming Brisbane lads who comprise the band. They're due to start their very first Australia tour at the end of March (97), they're still selling singles like hotcakes in Australia, the US and Canada ... so there was plenty to talk about. Lucky for us that Savage Darren is an IRCer himself, so he was quite comfortable doing his own typing and firing back the replies from both himself and Savage Daniel. Responses from Darren/Daniel are indicated by "D&D"
D&D: For the record this is Darren from Savage Garden typing and Daniel preaching..
BeAvEr: Question: When are you going to do another single???? And what is it called???? <=== serious question
D&D: Beaver ... latest one is Truly Madly Deeply. Little indecisive about the 4th single- could possibly be a song called 'Violet'
|zoe|: Do you perform live and if not are you planning to in the future?
D&D: |zoe| we just finished off a weekend of two shows, warm-up gigs, to follow with a national tour starting April 24 in Perth.
pRoDiGy^: do u like the song "breathe" by the PRODIGY
D&D: prodigy actually I don't like breathe Daniel likes it but feels it is very industrially violent.
Chaos: When are you releasing your album :)
D&D: Chaos March 24... in Australia... 2nd week April in US
D&D: JENi...hey babe...
D&D: Jeni (for those who don't know) is our back up singer and she is totally cool
spl: are you ripping off the Hole song 'violet'?
D&D: spl... HELLO! hole who?
D&D: spl... I really don't listen to hole and certainly wouldn't feel the need to cover one of their songs
Beckham: what is the song 'to the moon and back' about??
D&D: D&D: beckham... about the whole struggle
Oscar: what do you guys listen to?
D&D: Oscar...very different things. Dan likes songs...I like artists...u2...Peter Gabriel etc..
TheBman: How much interest have you had from the States in your music?
D&D: The Bman... um... our first single is 14 on billboard at present
Mes: What music did you guys listen to as kids?
D&D: Mes...I (Darren) listened to Motown. Marvin. Diana. Daniel listened to punk
Jody: for the lead singer.... do u have a girlfriend cause I think u are really sexy!?
D&D: Jody... I am taken I guess
Brewer: are you looking at the Internet as a new publishing medium?
D&D: Brewer... dunno... guess so
Sisko: have u ever been guest programmers on the ABC show Rage and if so, how did u enjoy it?
D&D: Sisko... no but would love to
titZ: a simple question from someone who doesn't know about the band (me).. How old are the band members and how long have they been playing for?
D&D: titz Darren 24 Daniel 23 and 5 years
Chaos: You guys planning to do tours around Oz? IE up here to townsville? :)
D&D: Chaos... National tour in April definitely...
KiWi: where did the idea for that video 'moon and back' come from?
D&D: Kiwi... the video was based on the lyrics I guess but the production company talked with Daniel and I a lot. We really like the movie Brazil and 1984 so we referenced a lot of that imagery... Daniel says David Bowie...
KiWi: I just wanted to know about the flying around on wires bit: P
D&D: Kiwi...the wires sucked
D&D: actually most of the video was the wire stuff and it looked stupid so we had to re-shoot it.
Freakgirl: what is chico cherry cola? x 200 times
D&D: Freak girl...not chico... chica...and it is just a syllable
WeeZer: how did you guys get together???
D&D: Weezer... Daniel was in a band that needed a singer (five years ago). Lots of losers auditioned and I was the last. We really clicked on the phone and the rest is THIS!!
Topher: who is savage garden? : P
D&D: Tosser... oops topher... r u in the wrong room?
McFeRReT: WILL YOU COME PLAYAT MY 21ST IN JUNE? (YOU'LL GET FREE BEERIES:)))) <----whoever asks em this will get a mad invite to the biggest pissup in Sydney in 97: PP
D&D: McFerret... um think we will be
busy... D&D: Darren doesn't drink
Jody: did you guys write " truly madly deeply" for anyone in particular?
D&D: Jody... yes we did. But it is really a love song for anyone who has ever felt it.
MrMe: do u feel sorry for bands that have been touring with little success not for lack of talent but for lack of airplay and public knowledge and u guys release a song and it gets picked up and geez now yr well known well there are still other BETTER bands
D&D: Mrme... no way... we have worked bloody hard for this. We were one of those bands you describe. The talent thing? Get a life. Are you saying we don't have talent?
beckham: What do you think of the Spice Girls?:)
D&D: beckham...I think the spice girls are well marketed
leMonde: what was happening in the film-clip 'to the moon and back' some ppl I know didn't understand it?
D&D: lemonde... listen to the lyrics ... it is all very metaphorical
Gimpy: Do both of you write the songs.... and would you be interested in another songwriter for behind the scene's<=== very serious question
D&D: Gimpy...yes we write absolutely everything together...um... we are pretty satisfied with the team but thanks for the offer...
destiny^: does your tour include TASMANIA?????
D&D: destiny... I would love to say yes but I don't think so...RING TRADING POST AGENCY (CALL O13 TO GET NUMBER IN SYDNEY) AND DEMAND THAT WE DO COZ WE WOULD LOVE TO.
WaBiT: so, are you cute? :)
D&D: Wabit... um... I think that is objective.
McFeRReT: Wot if I give Dazzla unlimited mineral water?:)))))))))
D&D: McFerret... that is tempting...
JENi: Cute!! Daniel looks like Brad Pitt
D&D: Jeni...you slaggg!!!!
fudgee: which 1 r u?
D&D: fudgee... I am Darren the dark haired singing one sitting next to the Brad Pitt keyboard playing one...
Jody: who was " truly madly deeply" for? :)And what is the film clip like?
D&D: Jody... the film clip is still in production
Rishy: You will be coming to Brisbane in your tour...... won't you?
D&D: Rishy... yes two shows actually
leMonde: are u coming to townsville?
D&D: Lemonde...we were... like I said ring Trading Post agency in Sydney and demand... a lot has to do with the fact that we are in u.s. at the time of the tour so it is really tight
music: where you surprised by the immediate reaction to your first single?
D&D: music... well we hoped for it... but seeing it happen was totally different
McFeRReT: ok...free beeries for the drinker dude...unlimited mineral water for dazzla.... lotsa feral westie chickies ummm what else to get ya to come play at my party???? chocolate??: P women?? men??: P a lifetime of foot massages?
D&D: McFerret... what is the date?
McFeRReT: the weekend after the 29th :))))) or anytime you can make it!!!:P go on!! you can convert a whole generation of westies from metallica heads to savage gardeners!!!:))
D&D: Mcferret... we will be on a plane to Europe...so sorry!
Morph: "Where did the idea for moon and back come from?"
D&D: Morph... the video or song?
Jody: when are you guys coming to Perth?
D&D: Jody. Perth is April 25 and 26
WeeZer: are you guys rich? :)
D&D: Weezer... No not yet...
WeeZer: is the Australian music scene difficult to crack?
D&D: Weezer... it is like anywhere... we have had a hell of a lot of good fortune so we are lucky I guess but we also spent a long time working on the songs...
D&D: Lets get more freaky... Dan and I are really tired and loopy so we are bound to be up for the cooky questions so go for it
snowden: who's your most influential band?
D&D: snowden... lately u2
leMonde: i think you shood cum to townsville and get Regurgitator to do back-up?!?!?!?!? :)
D&D: Lemonde...what are you on?
KiWi: i got one... for those 'foreigners' out there. . u gunna be touring any other countries? like say nz?
D&D: Look we will be touring the world one day I guess
KiWi: i would assume a band like u would be drooled upon by kiwi girls... surprised u haven't tried to crack the market yet
D&D: Kiwi... I guess we will...
D&D: We are thinking about going and buying a Volvo soon so does anyone have any more questions? Brewer: What's it like to be offered sex by all these women/whatever at the tours?
D&D: Brewer... it is like freaky...
|zoe|: Aren't you upset that for this interview you've had to miss Home and Away?
D&D: |zoe|... never once watched it sorry
Chris19: must be so tough being offered sex all the time
D&D: Chris... do we strike you as the prostitute kind?
*ProdigY*: you guys are legends, but are the rest of the songs on the cd as good as the current chart toppers?
D&D: ProdigY no the rest of the album sucks...WHAT DO YOU THINK? It is a fantastic record... but we have to say that because we live and breathe this stuff...
WeeZer: do you guys do drugs?
D&D: Weezer... no
D&D: Our web page is at www.village.com.au or in US look up savage garden and we are in sony online
*mischeif*: what does your family think of your singing?
D&D: we are lucky to have fantastic families who are really supportive...
|zoe|: Would you consider doing a video clip without your shirts? YUM!!!!
D&D: |zoe|... I think Darren would need to abroller...
D&D: Dan would do just fine...
HDbasher: Which do you prefer? Holden or Ford??
D&D: cars suck
|Spud|: Wow... Can you email my friend saying that you don't do drugs? She doesn't believe that anyone famous doesn't do them =)
D&D: Spud... drugs... come on... I have a personality so I don't need em.
|Spud|: I realize you don't do drugs... I don't either.. My friend does... I wanted you to email her saying that you don't =)
*mischeif*: 1 is do u guys get tired of fans chasing u all the time
D&D: we aren't Michael Jackson yet!!
Rishy: Dates for the Brisbane shows please, or I am bound to miss it
D&D: Brisbane show… 9th May Ipswich Show Grounds and 10th Suncorp Piazza
McFeRReT: do you guys have a sense of humour??
D&D: Mcferret... I like to think so...
D&D: Hey...Daniel is STARVING... We are going to go soon..
McFeRReT: eat me if you like:))
D&D: Mcferret... pppplease!! eeeck.
MiXMasteR: Could you visit OZgames, We are a game site for Aussie Users. We would like it if you could say a comment that we could quote on our page... Thanx
D&D: Mixmaster...um... sure...
GBH|: what do you think of this interview?
D&D: GBh... It is ok
|zoe|: Would you like me to order you pizza? Which toppings do you like?
D&D: |zoe|... Daniel likes ham and pineapple only
WildFire: Q: We recently had Beast of bourbon play at our uni. Would you consider playing at some universities in your tour?
D&D: Wildfire...yes absolutely... call John Woodruff management...
D&D: OK WE ARE LEAVING...SAVAGE GARDEN WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL FOR THE KIND WORDS AND LOVE AND STUFF AND WELL; SEE YA!
This time last year, no one had heard of Savage Garden. Now they are one of the most successful Australian bands of recent times. Lets recap what they've achieved: Their hot debut single I Want You went platinum and became the biggest selling Aussie single for 1996. It peaked at no. 3, and earned the lads an ARIA nomination for Best Debut Single. This success was quickly followed by the haunting To The Moon & Back, which rocketed to number one! Now the boys have a new single out and their self-titled debut album has also hit the streets. STAR! had a chat with Darren and Daniel, who were recently in LA filming a video. From Brisbane video store to Beverly Hills studio, Savage Garden has Truly, Madly, Deeply bloomed.
Hi guys, are you staying in a nice hotel?
Darren: Yeah, we're in Beverly Place in Beverly Hills, basically.
Daniel: (yells out in background) It's so nice to hear an Australian accent!
You're shooting a film clip for I Want You with the same director who did the Oasis videos- how did that come about?
Darren: We signed to Columbia Records out of New York, and they had a fantastic video department there, and basically we had a budget that we could only dream of at home- it was huge! Basically we took the reels and reels of direction, and he was the one.
I Want You is being played on 78 commercial stations- have you heard it play on air in the States yet?
Darren: Ha...ha...ha...no, not as yet, it's funny, it's playing on a couple of stations here, but we really haven't had a chance to listen to the radio. We hopping in the car...actually this week it's (I Want You) the most added track to the radio in America. We were looking in a radio magazine and there was a full-page ad of us staring back in full colour.
Have you seen any stars in LA yet?
Darren: No, Daniel thinks he saw Madonna, and I went chasing after. No I don't think so, not yet.
Are you really busy with work or have you had time to chill out and see the sights?
Darren: We've been really busy. Actually, it's been pretty full on. I actually forgot about this interview. We just popped into our hotel to have a drink and then the phone rang. Thank God we were here! Apparently we have a day off after we finish shooting, we're actually going to Disneyland.
What are your plans after you leave LA?
Darren: We're going to Sydney for two or three days, then we're going back to Brisbane for full on rehearsals with the band, and then a couple of acoustic sets around the place. That weekend prior to the release (of the album) we've got a Hey Hey performance and a bunch of instores and things around the country.
Do you get recognized on the street much?
Darren: It's starting to happen now. It's quite funny. It's just really flattering actually. Mainly people walk past, then they look at you, and then they do a double take, and a couple of times they'll come up to you when you're eating a kebab, lettuce between every possible tooth, and they'll say, aren't you that guy from...
Do you have a message for your fans back in Australia?
Darren: Hang in there, thanks for your support, because we love it, and we're counting on you coming to see us, basically.
What are you doing for the rest of the day?
Darren: We have two very lovely stylists, sitting in our room right now, we're just about to go and get dressed for them, and think of ways to make me look thin and Daniel look muscly and then we've got more meetings with production people tonight, and then we've got like a 7 am start for a video shoot tomorrow morning.
They've come from out of nowhere (Ok, Brisbane actually) to be our hottest new pop group! Oooh-ahh-ooh-ahh-ooh...meet Darren Hayes and Daniel Jones from SAVAGE GARDEN!
OK, you've come from out of nowhere with "I Want You". What's the story?
Darren: Well, for us, it's probably been a three-year sort of thing, I guess. We were a covers band. Then it ended up being two guys writing songs and having a great management team. It was a lot of stuff behind the scenes for the last two years leading up to this. We just decided to make a record, to be honest. We sat in a room for about eight months, wrote songs, sent a demo and basically got signed after that first demo.
Did "I Want You" break in the Brisbane charts first?
Darren: No, Melbourne radio picked it up first.
Daniel: I guess it was all done without the hype. It was like, "Here's our song, make of it what you will," and I think radio took a genuine interest in it.
Darren: Brisbane was one of the last places to get on board, even though we're from there.
What about this whole Roxette-soundalike thing? Are you fans of theirs?
Darren: No, never have been. I respect them but I've never bought a Roxette single. I think when people hear our next single "To the Moon and Back" they'll see we're not like Roxette.
Daniel: I think the whole Roxette thing came from an industry mag. A reviewer said something about "I Want You" sounding like Roxette, so, of course, when most DJs read it they think, "Blah blah Roxette!"
Do the two of you have similar tastes in music?
Darren: No, we're pretty much different all the way down the line. I'm a really big music fan so I listen to lots of different stuff. I'm a big Prince fan, I love U2, Michael Jackson, and I grew up listening to Fleetwood Mac and Motown.
Daniel: I'm a song-person really, but I don't have any real idols. If George Michael or Sheryl Crow comes up with a really good song I'd like it. It's not dishonest to the artist...but if they please me with a good song over and over again then they get all my credit and I respect them.
How does your relationship work in terms of writing and performing?
Daniel: We haven't got a set ingredient yet and that's good 'cause were still finding our feet...
Darren: ... but we write everything together.
Do you guys ever argue?
Darren: Not about music.
Daniel: We did during the recording. But we were going through a lot of changes - here we are from Brisbane, two guys who came from nowhere, sitting in a room with Charles Fisher, who is a fantastic producer. Three in one room is better than two but not easier than two. Two people in one room is easy!
Darren: It was like a family; you end up siding with one.
Daniel: It was really difficult because sometimes Darren and Charles would agree on something and then sit out on it. And then sometimes Darren and I would agree on something.
Darren: But in terms of our relationship together, we muddled that out years ago! There's a chemistry here that works. On the friendship basis, we try not to spend a lot of time together. When we work, it's really intense.
Do you worry about being a pop group in Australia when bands like 'You Am I' and 'Regurgitator' get all the press?
Daniel: Well, we can't get away with not being a pop group because that's what we are. And we believe in what we do.
Darren: I listen to Triple J so I don't listen to a lot of commercial music. But I'm not going to apologize for my commerciality because it's not a compromise. We are commercial - that's the music we write.
Daniel: To be honest, I'd just rather do what's in my heart. Just because we're commercial doesn't mean out hearts are marketing strategies... Besides the lyric content is fantastic and a lot of the arrangements are great.
Daniel, do you ever get mixed up with Daniel Jones form 'Silverchair'?
Daniel: No, but once they called me "Daniel Jones, but not the one from Silverchair" on the radio the other day.
What's your new single "To The Moon And Back" about?
Darren: It's about a very dear friend. It was one of the first songs we wrote together and it's probably the reason we got signed. It's a beautiful song and we're really happy with it. It features the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
Daniel: Even if it doesn't do anything on the charts we're releasing it to get away from the whole Roxette thing.
What's your Favorite Roxette song?
Darren: The only song I really liked is "Listen To Your Heart", that's a great song.
Daniel: "It Must Have Been Love" was good. What is the meaning of life according to Savage Garden?
Darren: (in Swedish accent) To listen to your heart.
Daniel: To come join the joyride.
They've taken you To The Moon & Back with two platinum hits and now they're set to take you even further with their upcoming debut album. We grabbed Savage Garden's Daniel Jones to see how our fave pop duo is coping with their cosmic success.
TV Hits: Hey Daniel. Congratulations on the band's huge success!
Daniel: Thank you, it's great. I don't know how you're supposed to feel about it. Once it happens, you just sort of go "Yeah" and sit back and say, "This is great!" You don't want it to stop. This is addictive. It is, because after the success of one song, you just go up for it and you want it again. I think when you become disillusioned by what level of success is satisfying is when you usually trip up. It's a great feeling; it's awesome to be at the top.
How are you guys keeping from getting bigheaded about fame?
Well, I know this sounds a little clichéd from being busy! We're constantly doing things, constantly keeping our minds on the whole project. So, you know, we'll pace ourselves all that time. Some days we need to come down a little more than usual (laughs) but, you know, overall it's pretty good. There's so much work to do and there's so much to actually make this happen, that you don't quite realize it, you know. So, yeah, we're pretty cool. We're not going to get big heads. Not just yet, anyway!
Were people surprised "To The Moon & Back" wasn't "I Want You Part 2"?
Yeah, definitely, and at the same time they're giving us quite a bit of credibility for it because they're saying, "OK, obviously it's great that you don't risk doing the same thing, you're going out there with different intentions for different songs all the time." And I think Savage Garden will slowly become about songwriting more so than the sound. People love songs, no matter who sings them really. If it's a good song people love it and that's what we've got to go.
And now that you're multi-millionaires (!), how have you spent all your money?
Oh, it's gone back into the business. We had so many debts before we started so we're just going back straight into paying people we owe money to. But that's happened and hopefully, we'll get on top of it and be able to live a little comfortably. I'd love jet skis and motorbikes and that sort of stuff. So I'm going to buy myself lots of little toys down the track. And lots of clothes, of course.
Do people treat you differently now that you're famous?
A little. It's strange how it works. I think people are a little bit overwhelmed if they see someone they've seen on TV in front of their face. Like, they're not quite sure how to handle it. They kind of think, "You've been in my house on my TV and now I can approach you, no problem." People think, on initial contact, that they actually know you!
Have you had any psycho fans?
Erm, we're getting a couple of letters from this one particular person at the moment. It's a little scary and it's slightly ... erm ... I can't tell you all of it, but we're making sure to keep an eye on it. I mean, this person could be very creative, she could help Savage Garden. All the ideas she has are very creative, I'll tell you that.
Do women throw themselves at you now that you're a big pop star?
Um, no. (laughs) That's a "NO" of regret. Um, but it's not any harder to go out and meet a nice girl! And I've never done that old, "Hey babe, I'm from the Garden!" pick-up line thing, either!
Has success given you confidence with the babes?
Yeah, it has, but only because in the last year or two, we've met so many people. You just break into conversations with people you've never met and that gives you confidence, meeting a lot of people. So, my advice to everyone is just go out and meet everyone and be friends with everyone and talk to people because you just get so much out of it. You know, there's no point sitting at home thinking about it, just go and do it.
Tell us about your new album.
It's completely finished, and we're just waiting on two tracks to be remixed over in America. So, they'll be back here soon and then the fun part in getting all the artwork will start to happen and it should be out in about March. We haven't got a name for it yet ... maybe we should run a competition for it? We need a name!
How's the overseas response going?
We've actually had some fan mail from Indonesia and Malaysia! And in America, they're playing "I Want You" throughout Texas, San Antonio, Waco, LA, New York, they picked it up on an import and radio have just gone crazy. It's a big, big thrill for us!
If you could go "To The Moon & Back", what would be the first thing you would do?
Build a McDonald's drive-thru! (Laughs) We'd just sit there, hovering over the moon, eating all the cheeseburgers and quarter-pounders!
Do you have a message for all your fans?
Yeah, thanks a lot to all the TV Hits readers. People have really got behind us and told us we can actually do this; so we're going to pay these guys back a hell of a lot of times. We're getting an official fan club started up now, too, and we can't wait for you guys to hear our album.
Darren: Our tour is called The Future of Earthly Delights, and we have this enormous backdrop, which has hundreds of tiny floodlights sewn into it. There's a whole series of scaffolds and stairwells, a big catwalk and grills with smoke and stuff! It's like a futuristic city, very theatrical!
Daniel: The whole thing is very in your face! There's no escape...
They're huge Down Under!
Darren: The ARIAs are like the Australian version of the BRITS, and we won 10 in one night! It was amazing because we only have one album and we're up against established bands like INXS and Crowded House - people who have been big in Oz for ages!
Daniel: It was a bit sad because after Michael Hutchence died, we found out that in INXS' 20-year career they only ever won six ARIA awards, and we won ten in one year, and that was weird. Of course, we want to continue for 20 years.
They've sold shed-loads of Albums!
Darren: We've sold three million albums in America alone, and that's a great, great feeling. We've actually sold enough records so that financially I never have to sell another record! I'm not a zillionaire, but we've both bought a house and a car - things that people take a whole lifetime to do. I know how lucky we are.
Daniel: We definitely feel like we've got the upper hand now. We can concentrate on the music, the details...
They're the biggest band in the world (Well in the southern half, anyway)
Daniel: I guess we might be the biggest band in the southern hemisphere now. But that's kinda like making up awards, like, We're the biggest band with two guys - one with dark hair, one with blond hair.' In fact, I think there's only 12% of the world's population in the southern hemisphere. (Pauses.) Then again, it's still half the world!
Darren: Hahaha! I like that. I'm gonna use that one...
After playing an acoustic set of I Want You on the Rosie O'Donnell Show Darren and Daniel sat down with Rosie for an interview.
Rosie: Wow!! That was great!!
Darren: Thank you!
Rosie: That was Savage Garden unplugged.
Darren: (nods) unplugged.
Rosie: This is Darren and Daniel, and it is so nice to have you here.
Darren: It's great to be here!
Rosie: Well, I've read in the research that your name is from an Anne Rice novel.
Darren: Yeah...um...We would really like to stay that it's sort of inspired by her because we don't want to get slipped and sued.
Daniel: Legal reasons.
(All of them laugh)
Rosie: Yeah she won't sue you, she's very nice.
Darren: Oh...I'm a big fan.
Rosie: I'm a big fan too. Only the Vampire books?
Darren: I've only read the Vampire Chronicles, but I started getting into the Witching Hour and stuff... But I love.... I actually saw the movie before I read any of the books.
Rosie: How about my Tommy?
Darren: Tommy?
Rosie: Tom Cruise?
Darren: Amazing!
Rosie: Amazing in that movie, right.
Darren: He got a lot of... he got a lot of flack for doing that film.
Rosie: He did get flacked.
Darren: But I though he was incredible.
Rosie: He was awesome.
Darren: (agrees) fantastic.
Rosie: Totally sexy and unbelievable.
Darren: Amazing, he was great!
(They all laugh again)
Rosie: Well hey, listen... Have you read Feast Of All Saints?
Darren: No....
Rosie: It's about the Crieole Cultures in New Orleans. Unbelievably brilliant. Also Cry to The Heavens. That's about the Castradi over in Italy.
Darren: Sounds fantastic.
Rosie: Two of her best books I think there was.
Darren: Actually I um... (Looks at Daniel) There was someone on the Internet that somehow managed to get a copy of her books signed to us, and we're really excited about that.
Rosie: Really? And they're going to get it over to you?
Darren: I believe so.
Rosie: You know... I went to Burtanos once in the Central City mall in L.A., and I had all nine of my books of hers and I stood in line for 2 hours to wait, and she signed all my books.
Darren: That's fantastic.
Rosie: She's phenomenal... and so are you guys!
Darren and Daniel: Thank you!
Rosie: As you know...(Rosie plays a small part of I Want You on a recorder she keeps behind her desk)
(Darren and Dan laugh, obviously flattered)
Rosie: Sweet like Chica-cherry-cola! That's my favorite line!!
Daniel: We heard about you this.... we heard about you plugging our song on the Internet, so we have to repay you!!
(Turns to audience) Should we repay her?
(Audience claps and cheers)
Darren: We brought this little gift for you. It's a gold record, and it's presented to Rosie from Savage Garden... from Columbia Records.
Rosie: You guys... That's so nice of you. Thank you! You know...you have a little bit of a George Michael quality to your voice that I enjoy. Has anyone ever said that to you?
Darren: I don't know.... People say a lot of things. I listen to lots of kinds of music, and I guess it comes though in the way we write songs.
Daniel: I hear a little bit, but I think that George is great anyway.
Rosie: Are you kidding me? I love George Michael, and I love you guys!!
Both: Thank you.
Rosie: Here's their self-titled debut CD. Go out and buy it if you haven't yet. And thank you for coming you guys! You can come back anytime you want.
Darren: Thanks for having us!
They're the No.1 band in Australia, they're hitting it big overseas and one of them is looking for love! Santi Pintado goes 'To the Moon and Back' with Darren Hayes and Daniel Jones to find out all about SAVAGE GARDEN... Read on...
How did you guys meet?
Darren: Five years ago, Daniel put an ad in a music mag for a singer - I answered it. Daniel has been in bands since he was 14 and this is the first I've been in. I was the last of 20 people to sing at the auditions and needless to say, they were all kind of disappointing. I went in there, sang, and it just sort of happened. We clicked on a personal level more than anything and here we are today.
You both live in Brisbane, but not together, right?
Daniel: Yeah, I read that somewhere too!
Darren: Someone said we lived together in Sydney but I think they meant when we recorded the album, because we shared a flat in Sydney for about eight months.
Daniel: In Brisbane we live as far away as possible from each other. (Laughs)
Who's the better dancer?
Daniel: I'd have to say Darren, by far.
Darren: Oh, I would've said you! I don't think either of us are good. I did go through a brief period in the late '80's when I thought I was a better dancer than I actually was. There's an episode of Seinfeld when Elaine goes through this very same crisis. You assume you've possibly the world's greatest dancer, smoking it up on the dance floor, and then you realize when you see your friend's 21st video that you're not quite as good as you thought.
Were you surprised when your first single I WANT YOU took off?
Darren: I'd have to say, no - and that's because when you go for something like this, you put a lot on the line and we both sacrificed a lot, whatever it took to do this. We went broke, so I guess we went into it expecting to succeed and when it does happen, it's pure shock!
Where's the weirdest place you've been recognized?
Darren: There's this place in Brisbane mall and every time I go there, I'm usually eating a big kebab and have falafel coming out of every orifice, and someone goes "You're that guy from that band!" and I'm looking SOOOO attractive!
Would you rather hang out with the "Friends" gang or investigate "The X-Files" with Scully and Mulder?
Daniel: Definitely investigate The X-Files
Darren: I find Scully extremely sexy but I'd have to say hang out with the Friends gang because I'd be closer to Courtney Cox, who's a babe. I like the episode when she's this fitness freak going "We're fit, we're fit."
Out of these hip girls, whom would you want as a third member of SAVAGE GARDEN: Alanis Morissette, Gwen Stefani, Whigfield or Madonna?
Darren: OK, can I just say right now, I'd get Whigfield and put her in one of those trash compacters? I hate that song!
Daniel: I'd go for Alanis. I reckon she's got a lot of spunk. She's cool, she's tough and she's got a lot of style.
Darren: I'd go for Madonna. Absolutely, love the Maddy.
Which Spice Girl would you pick?
Daniel: I have no idea which is which.
Darren: Probably the one with Pigs in Space pigtails. No, I'd put them all in the same trash compacter as Whigfield.
What's the worst pick up line a girl has ever used on you?
Daniel: "I lead, you follow." I said "OK" and walked out of the club (laughs)
Darren: "I can't understand a single word you're saying but when you sing I get tingles all over my body."
Do either of you have a girlfriend at the moment?
Daniel: I have lots of girlfriends but I'm always open for more. (Laughs)
Darren: Let's just say that there is definitely a woman in my life.
What's the most romantic thing you've done for a girl?
Daniel: Spent a weekend away at a resort with lots of flowers.
Darren: I climbed over a balcony at night and believe me, that's a big feat because I'm not the physical type.
How do you know you're in love?
Darren: When you're willing to sacrifice something that's really important.
Daniel: When you seem disillusioned and your heart kicks in, your mind takes a back seat, and you do stupid things and no one can work out why you love her.
What's one thing you'll never understand about the female sex?
Daniel: Why they get moody every month. (Laughs) No, let's not go there!
Darren: I think it's the fact that they're usually right about everything. And as much as I'm killing my male reputation here, they do come up with the goods.
How much do you guys argue?
Daniel: Not a lot. About three times in the last five years. That's not too bad.
Darren: We work so intensely together, we have a survival mechanism where we really don't spend a lot of time together outside work.
Do you have to be in a certain mood to write a song?
Daniel: I've got to be left alone for at least a couple of hours before an idea comes. So it's going to be scary writing the second album - the phone just doesn't stop ringing!
What did you like about Darren when you first met? Daniel: I instantly thought it would be interesting to work with him. I liked his personality and his Input towards the songs and I thought he had a really nice voice. After being in different bands for about a year, we decided to write a couple of songs together on our own. That's how Savage Garden started.
How do you write songs together if Darren doesn't play any instruments? Daniel: I'm his instrument! He would say, "Let's try that!" and hum something, and I would put it into musical terms. For most of the time though, I'll conic up with music first. Darren is perhaps more the lyric man. I do what Darren can't do and Darren does what I can't do.
What can't you stand about Darren? Daniel: Darren is rather compulsive in his manners, but he doesn't really annoy me. We have become used to each other because we spend so much time together. I suppose, in a way, we're like a married couple. Married people don't really annoy their partners as they are so used to each other.
How do you annoy Darren? Daniel: He will say that I'm not quite as tolerant with certain people as he is. When I don't enjoy somebody's company I won't stay around just to be nice. I will just disappear - he thinks I'm cruel. But I want to be able to be free to choose my own circle of friends.
Do you go out partying when you're not working? Daniel: We don't socialize with each other when we're not working. When we both have night off we each like to do our own thing. We both just need a little time to reset ourselves. Then we come back and continue to work as a team.
How do your parents feel about their son going into the music business? Daniel: It was no problem! My parents have been really supportive, as have Darren's. We were told that we could do anything that we wanted to if we put our minds to It. Without my parents; I wouldn't be where I am today. They said to me, "Whatever you want is out there. If you want it. If you want to play soccer for Australia, go for it. If yon want to write hit songs, go for it." I wasn't quite sure which one I wanted to. My parents were fine with both. They weren't scared of me failing and that's a very positive thing. I owe them everything!
How do you deal with the fact that you are really popular at home in Australia but not recognized much anywhere else, like Europe? Daniel: Well, we're free to wander around without being approached by fans all the time. That makes a nice change. In Australia, we can't go out without having to sign autographs for fans. I have very strong feelings about Europe because I actually was born in England. I moved to Australia when I was really young.
How do you cope with all your success? Daniel: We don't go mad or anything. Of course we go out and party, but not everyday. This business puts a lot of pressure on you. You rise and fall in the public eye and it's easy to fall into drugs and stuff. A lot of people just mess everything up. But I'm pretty certain that Darren and I will stay together. We're doing something we love.
You play some old songs at your concerts- will you be recording any cover versions in the future? Daniel: We play U2's "With Or Without You" and Michael Jackson's "Wanna Be starting Something" In our live performances. I wouldn't want to record a cover version of a song though because it's wasting energy when we've got so much to say ourselves. We may as well use our own words.
You perform their songs at your concerts so are they you favorite artists? Daniel: I really respect U2. I like the way they have made their career Interesting. They have made changes at the right times. The transition they made from "Rattle And Hum" to "Achtung Baby' was mealy interesting. I also think that 'Pop" Is such a good album title..
What are you goals for the next year? Daniel: Because so many people have said our music sounds European, we thought that Europe would be a great place for us to go. My goal is to be successful in Europe and give everybody there, a chance to listen to our music.
Have you changed since you started the band?
Daniel: I was thinking about that a bit today, believe it or not - I was in the car and I accidentally cut somebody up. He yelled out the window at me and was putting the finger up and totally abusing me! But it didn't bother me and that, to me was a sign of contentment- That I didn't worry what anyone thought anymore. It didn't bother me that somebody didn't like me, or that I'd accidentally upset somebody- I didn't mean to do it, so I thought, 'Well, who cares, because I'm really happy with my life and haven't got time to worry about you yelling at me! It was a nice feeling! But all we really want to do is write music and perform, and that's what we do, so I don't think we're that much different to how we started.
You must have a bit more money than you did before-has that changed you at all?
Daniel: You do live up to whatever you earn. And usually you little bit more! But at the moment our standard of living is average because we don't have a life-we're stuck in hotels. We haven't really had a good break to enjoy the money, and we have had has pretty much gone back into musical equipment. We've stared collecting a few guitars between us. But I'd love to own a really nice house and a sports car, and I don't think it's that far away. Hopefully by the time this feature comes out I'll have a Porsche! We do buy clothes and go to posh restaurants, but only to Sony's credit card! Apart from that we try and keep humble about the whole thing-we have our time on stage where we can perform and show off as much as we want!
What'd you be doing if you weren't in a band?
Daniel: As a teenager I was a huge soccer fan and I wanted to play for Spurs or Man United, and coming from Australia that was pretty rare because soccer's not as big over here as it is in England. I always wanted to be doing something in front of 100,000 people! I also wanted to be a lollipop man!
What's the worst job you can imagine?
Daniel: I think cleaning sewers would have to be the worst- I mean, imagine that! You just couldn't do it could you?
What do you do to keep yourselves sane?
Daniel: We Just question everyone's comments the moment they make them. You check yourself when someone tells you for the millionth time that day how fantastic you are. I think, 'Now Why would he say that? Ok, It makes sense. Fair enough.' You tune yourself into being a little bit casual about the whole thing,' cause it's not as if we're curing cancer here-we're not saving lives...
When did you first realize you were famous?
Daniel: It still happens - it's always like the first time like, I went to my local shopping center the other day and I thought. 'Yeah, I can get away with this,' and it didn't quite work out like that - every second or third person was either pointing at me or coming up to me! I panicked for a second because I thought, 'I wonder if I'll ever be able to do this again,' because I like my freedom and it's getting harder. In Asia it was amazing -we were getting mobbed every time we stepped out of our hotel, and there were kids sleeping in the foyer! It was kind of full on! You do come to terms with it, but you have to adjust - it's nice, but I like it most if I can take a few fans aside and chat to them as people, not just fans of ours.
Who laps it up the most, you or Darren?
Daniel: Darren. He plays up to the fame thing a lot more and that's what our personalities are like - he's more of a group person and I'm more a one-on-one person. Darren will sit there and entertain 20 or 30 fans and I'll be talking to one or two, hiding in the corner!
What's the most glam thing you've done?
Daniel: We went sailing in Key West (South Florida), and that was beautiful - we had caviar and champagne. It was a Sony thing - we'd been working non-stop for six weeks and we had a weekend off on the yacht. It was amazing.
What's the downside of being a pop star?
Daniel: Getting up at 5.50 in the morning to do radio interviews, because in America they're three hours behind on one side of the country to the other. A musician's life is normally going to bed at 2 am and getting up at midday, but while we were in the States we were getting up at five and going to bed at seven in the evening, which wasn't exactly rock n roll!
Do you go to a lot of showbiz parties?
Daniel: Quite a lot - We went to Maxwell's party in New York. It was kinda cool, but there was security everywhere arid Maxwell was behind a glass booth watching the party with about 15 security guards round him! So we got out of there and went clubbing on our own.
What the best thing about being a star?
Daniel: The fact that anything's there if you want it - it's a nice position to be in because you can be selective about what your do and how you go about things. It's a freedom thing. But the bad things are there as well if you want them, and it strengthens you to face the choice. I mean, if you were into drugs (which 'I'm not!) sure enough, you'll end up on crack, because it's the but if you're not then you won't. But I like being open the possibility of absolutely everything.
And the worst thing?
Daniel: There's not much I don't like... OK, the flying, although I've got over that by buying a flight simulator for my computer - while we're on a plane I'll get my lap top and I'll crash the plane, and all the people around me hold onto their seats 'cause they can see this 747 ploughing into the earth! That's how I got over my fear of that and going into the cockpit and chatting to the pilot. And 50 per cent of the food you eat is plane food, which isn't good, because it destroys your insides.
When you're home in Oz, what gets your tail wagging?
Darren: Actually, it's my dog! I have a cocker spaniel named Obi, after Obi-Wan-Kenobi (Star wars Character), He was just nine weeks old when I got him. Just before Christmas. He's beautiful. He's like a kid- all he needs is affection. He will forgo food for a pat on the head and I am his universe. I love that.
I'm sure you do. So tell me, does Oz have lot of wide-open spaces in which a young pup can frolic?
Darren: Yes, it's a huge country; Australia's as big as America, with a tenth of the population. There are beautiful beaches, rainforests, deserts, and cities...everything.
Sounds grrrrreat!But Savage Garden doesn't sound like a safe place to have a kennel?
Darren: Oh dear, how do you live with yourself with these questions? Have you seen the movie 'As Good As It Gets'? When Jack Nicholson puts the dog down the trash chute? Well, that's where I'll like to put you. HAhaha! I can't answer that question-it's just stupid.
That's ruff! Surely you'd give a poor dog a home?
Darren: Of course, you're welcome to sleep at my house with my puppy any day Nels, but you can't share toys. And you'll have to fight it out with Obi about who comes into my bed in the morning.
So you want to talk about love!
Darren: Haha! I'm possessed of love; It's an obsession - write about it, talk about it. I'm single, for the first time, in ages. Since the age of 17 I had a relationship with my ex. We even got married. I was terrified, the first period that I was alone. (With a silly voice) All of a sudden I discovered all kind of things about myself. Haha! I'm now one and a half years single and I'm finally getting use to being alone. I must say that I think is very nice to live alone. Now I have to watch that I'm not quickly annoyed with other people's habits.
How did you survived the first two months alone?
Darren: I moved from Australia to New York City. So, I didn't have things around me that could remind me of home or her. I'm very bad in letting go so this way was easier. After that, I met someone and we dated for 8 months. It was fun, casual. Americans are doing that, date. In Australia, we don't do that. In Australia, you go out with a person a couple of times and after that you are married.
How did you heal your broken heart?
Darren: Well, You have to learn to live with it. I cried I tried to look at her a different way. I had to get rid of the perfect thoughts I had about her. The glamour image of her. Had to think about how and who she really was instead of the person I made of her in my mind. Everyone does that once in a while. Looking at a person through pink glasses. (I don't know if you know that saying but it's like not seeing the folds of a person). And if you take of the glasses there always are friends who are saying" see she wasn't all that. We saw that right way" This story was about the American girl. (Whispering): Don't we have to talk about love anymore?
Are you a sensitive man (boy)?
Darren: OH no! Not at all! Very much! I'm very emotional. I always make decisions based on my feelings. It's exhausting. Even with interviews I try to give my all. That's the way I am.
Were you always like that?
Darren: When I was 16 years old I was just as passionate as I am now. If I believe in something I go for it. If I love something I love it. If I hate I hate it really. I can never shut my mouth, I always have to say what I think or feel. Where as I always feel attacked very quickly. I had the guts to love people too quickly to hug people and I also want attention and love.
Did you know when you where 16 that you wanted to go into music?
Darren: I wrote my first song when I was 15. The song was about the death of Marilyn Monroe. I forget the name of the song. But the chorus went like this:
You flew away from it all. You turned around and the scene had ended. You flew away from it all. You sweet babe, to be left in the cold again.
It was very melancholic. I just sat there with my radio and guitar. My friends where becoming dentists and doctors. I worked at the video store and wanted to become a pop star.
Did they make fun of you when you told you wanted to be a pop star?
Darren: My friends were afraid about me getting disappointed. Success is not for everybody. If people love you they want to protect you and be a shelter for you. They didn't make fun of me. That happened when I though that I was black. I wanted to be just like Michael Jackson, Haha I had a period where I though I was Elliot from the movie E. T. When I became 16 I realized I was a white boy from Woodridge.
What makes you feel insecure?
Darren: Being alone. The feeling that no one loves you. My looks. I understand that young people feel insecure because of all the skinny people on TV and in the media. I think I look healthy. I tried as must as I can to put 'normal' people in my video clips.
What do you do when you're feeling alone?
Darren: I call my mother. She notices it right away. She knows I'm depressed before I even know it. She knows me. I try to spend some time with my friends. When I'm on tour I go to my fans. They love me. Even when I feel ugly as hell they say I'm beautiful. They are loyal. Sometimes I feel like I don't deserve that.
Are you a daydreamer?
Darren: Oh yeah, very much. I always walk with my head in the clouds. I'm not realistic. Today I was dreaming about Brazil. I have a friend who lives in Rio, I never been there I thought about going there after the promo tour seems lovely unfortunately I remembered that the flight to Rio is very long and that I would hardly have any time to spend over there.
Do you think that you're happy? Coz the new album Affirmation sounds overall sad.
Darren: Yes that is true I'm happy but most of the album is about my split with my wife Colby.
Did the success of Savage Garden cause the split with your wife?
Darren: No not really it has million of different reasons things you experience in life. I still love her very much and she still loves me but we never can live together anymore. Although we stay best friends. We were married for 2 ½ years and before that we were together for 5 years so it was a big part of my life.
And a big inspiration for your album?
Darren: Yes that's true. It's a very personal record there's a lot of pain on the record. A lot of the songs are about me and Colby has to do about disappointment in myself as a man and husband. Coz you never expect that you would get divorced that only happens to others and not yourself. But well she's happy and I'm too and I'm now single again after tens years of being with someone I had relationships since I was 17 years old.
Did you never have the feeling that you missed something in your life?
Darren: No, I think sex is very over estimated
Sorry... ?
Darren: Yes really it's so much better to go to bed with someone you love I don't like sex only because of the sex.
Who is the most important person in your life right now?
Darren: ME! Although it might sound a bit selfish but I finally spend sometime to myself. I try to improve myself although I don't really have to cause no one is perfect. But I'm very hard on myself I always think that someone else is looking better then me and things like that. Although I'm satisfied with my body. The same with my voice I can't be very upset when I during a performance sing a few notes wrong. At the same time many artists don't even sing live anymore, or worse, sing live and sound like shit!
Is there a point where you would quit with music?
Darren: If I don't like it all anymore or if my private life isn't private anymore. I've tried to leave Colby out of all the gossip magazines she have to build up a new life and she never asked to be in the spotlight.
Does that mean that you would date another famous person?
Darren: Well only because of the pressure of work I can't imagine dating a famous person I'm afraid. Colby was a teacher but she had to give that all up and travel with me if we wanted to see each other a bit and by the way, if I was the other person I would be jealous. I could not live with all the attention my partner would get.
Bit of a late one last night, Darren?
Darren: You could say that! We just finished our tour in the Midwest in the States then I nipped' home to San Francisco for 24 hours before I flew, in to London. I didn't intend going out last night, but there was a pop party on and I thought I had to go even though I was tired.
You've sold millions of albums all over the world. But you're still quite a private group. Why?
Darren: It's just the way we are. I'd hate to sell my private life just to shift a few more records. Some people do things. Go places and hang with people just to keep their names in the Papers. But I've never wanted to live my life through copies of 'Hello!' or 'OK.' That's probably why we're not considered superstars. We sell the records but we don't play the games.
You live in San Francisco and Daniel lives in Australia don't you get on?
Darren: Ahh, Yeah we do, but we're very different and we have very, very different agendas in life. If we lived in each other's faces all the time, we'd probably kill each other. In fact, I know we would! Daniel and I are pretty weird; we find each other totally fascinating because we're so different. I mean, Daniel doesn't do lyrics. He wouldn't even touch melodies- not his thing. Likewise I'm not interested in spending a day behind a keyboard working out the EQ on a drum kit. We have to work round each other a lot, But I think it helps make what we do much. much better.
Why did you leave Oz for America?
Darren: I've always been really interested in the place. I love the way things are different there- sweets are candy and cola is classic coke. It's really exciting. I feel the same about London. I'm sure I'll live here one day. In my job you can live anywhere you want so I'm going to try out as many as I can.
It said you're a bit of a 'deep one'.
Darren: I have to hold my hand up: it's true. Two years ago I was having problems relaxing so someone suggested meditation, I've been doing it since. Oh yeah, I'm pretty heavy, you know! When people meet me they expect me to be really dumb but I'm not. I have long, deep conversations with them to freak then out! Hang on though; I don't want people to think I'm some librarian -type guy! I'm pretty funny and love to mess around. I'm actually a goofy, brat guy most of the time and a meditating, spiritual guy a little bit of the time!
Are all your song true stories?
Darren: Yeah, tragically my life is actually the way it sounds! After we did the first album I thought to myself. I want to have a really good connection with whoever listens to my music, I didn't want to be about interviews, photo shoots and going to the right parties. When the time came to write the lyrics for the second album I wanted everything on it to be something I'd really lived. It's a bit selfish really. People pay me to listen to all my experiences! It's therapy.
What's the story with your newie, 'Hold Me', then?
Darren: Like most of the songs on the album - relationships. Its about a break-up I was in and basically I had to say, 'Sometimes I don't have the energy or the answer to fix our problem'. I'm saying this is our last moment together and both know it, and unfortunately it's the way it is- flogging a dead horse and all that.
Which Savage Garden song can't you stand?
Darren: Oh, easily a song off our last album called Promises and one called Universe is really bad, too. I lied in them and it's not me! These days I have a very set idea of the music I like and the sort I want to make. So, I prefer our recent songs. I grow out of songs the same way you grow out of anything. If I didn't I wouldn't want to make new records all the time. Songs are haircuts and I regret every haircut I've ever had!
Which song makes you rush to the dance floor?
Darren: This changes all the time, but recently I would have to say it has been Madonna's Music. (He launches into his own human beat box version. ) They played it last night and it sounded just incredible - I was dancing my ass off!
What makes you scarper for the door?
Darren: Oh wow! Hard question. I would say anything by Steps! Ha-ha ha -ha! I don't want to sound like I'm slagging them, but it's just not my thing. I prefer music with a bit of soul! They're going to kill me for saying that- it's way too cheeky!
What's next for the mighty Garden?
Darren: Same as it's always been for us. We both know we haven't made the album we're capable of. We're getting closer, but we're not quite there yet. We want to be the sort of band whose songs stay with you for ever- not just get in the Top 10 now and then.
When you were little, did you daydream about becoming pop stars?
Darren: Yeah - I used to get the old hairbrush out in front of the mirror! But it wasn't 'til I was about 13 that I realized not everyone wanted to do it and thought, Maybe this is a stupid idea.' We're still dreaming about what we're going to do...
Daniel: I've always dreamt about it too, but it only really began to seem possible when I met Darren. Neither of us could have achieved this without the other.
Did you tell everyone about your dreams?
Darren: No I didn't if we had to stand up in class and say what we wanted to do when we were older, I couldn't say, 'I'll be a pop star,' because everyone would have laughed. But when I got a D in metalwork I'd think to myself, When I'm playing in Wembley, I won't need to worry about metalwork!'
Daniel: I didn't tell anyone, either. I thought it was better to do it first and then tell people, or every time they saw you they'd be saying, 'Hold on - thought you said you were going to be famous!'
How did you make it all happen?
Daniel: We just decided the band was going to be our nine to five job. Darren would come round to my house everyday and we'd try and write songs. They were some of the best times I've ever had 'coz it was a real challenge. We even soundproofed my bedroom with a load of mattresses so it felt like a proper recording studio!
Darren: It was like we were dreaming out loud! It was even better than having a Number One in America 'coz nothing stood in our way. It's like when you fall in love - the chase is the best bit!
How did you make a living while you were doing all this?
Daniel: I worked in a printer. I was supposed to be doing letterheads and business cards, but I spent most of the time printing tape covers for the band!
Darren: I worked in a video store - sometimes I had to rent dirty movies to old men - it was really embarrassing!
What did you dream about last night?
Daniel: To be honest, I can't remember what I dreamt about last night, even though I've just got up, but the night before I dreamt I shot Will Smith! Everyone put flowers down where he'd died and I felt really, really bad about it. It was horrible because I felt what it would be like to kill someone. I didn't like it. But then his spirit came back into my body and I started dancing like him!
Darren: I dream a lot, but I have real trouble remembering them. this sounds really stupid, but Daniel was teaching me to fly the other night and geese kept landing on my shoulders! I dream about flying a lot, but I get scared I'm going to fall out of the sky.
Do you daydream much?
Darren: I Daydream a Lot. My eyes focus on something and I can't move them. I'm not even looking at whatever it is that I'm stating at. I do it mainly when I'm tired, though. I think me life's just one big daydream anyway!
Daniel: When I'm falling asleep I get this sort of spiritual thing where I hear a humming sound and I realize my body's asleep and my mind's not. It's like my body's not there anymore. I go into another dimension where I open my eyes, but they're not really open and you can see the room.
Darren: I love it when you talk about that. I don't think that happens to many people. It's a really special thing.
Daniel: It's really freaky 'coz it's like being half asleep and half awake.
Do you ever have nightmares?
Darren: I did for a while after I was held up with a sawn -off-shotgun when I was working in the video store! I had the gun right in my face and these guys were really violent and horrible. For ages after that I had nightmares that they were really breaking into my house. I really freaked out afterwards 'coz I could easily have been killed. It only took a dog to bark at me to make burst into tears. In my dreams these two guys were breaking into my house and I'd wake up in an icy cold sweat. It was horrible. I don't have many nightmares these days, though.
Daniel: I've had ones about being run over and stuff, but not that often.
Have you had any sleepy-type dreams that've come true?
Daniel: When I was about 16, working as a printer, I had a dream that I cut off my fingers. I worked with my brother's girlfriend at the time, Fiona, and I went into work and told her about the dream. I said, 'I hope dreams don't come true,' because that's the last thing I'd want to happen to me, being a musician and everything, And then that afternoon I trapped my finger in the printing machine and injured it. I didn't cut it off thank God, but it was really scary!
How many houses do you own?
Daniel: I am multi-housed, but half of it'll go on the divorce settlement. (He's single, so we assume he's joking.) Yeah, I have a home here and in Australia. Ideally, I'd have a home in New York too.
Which countries have you visited?
Daniel: It's easier to tell you where I haven't been. I haven't been to Africa, or China, or Greenland. That's about it, hahaha! My passport is a slut; it's been with everyone.
So which country has the craziest fans?
Daniel: Easily Singapore - must be all that oppression. I didn't think we'd even need security until we landed, then it was ridiculous, it was on the news and everything. I got squirted in the face with a water pistol and I was terrified. I thought it was a real gun, but she was only trying to cool me down!
What country has the most alien culture?
Daniel: Japan. It's fascinating. Everything is in a can, which I really dig. And they are courageously fashionable; everyone has to have the craziest haircut or the craziest shoes. But it's all so crazy it just blends in.
Let's do favorites. What's your favorite...
Place for shopping?
Daniel: New York, or London. Probably London for fashion, 'coz New York's a little too 'urban' for a geeky white dude. I buy trainers and convince myself they're cool - and if you're in The Fugees they probably are, but not on me.
Currency?
Daniel: Australian currency because it's all plastic and funky. The only down side is that it looks completely fake, like Monopoly money.
Language?
Daniel: Portuguese - it's really sexy. French kicks butt, too. I can say, "Hello, we're Savage Garden" in way too many languages, but I always learn the street way, like in Japan you say, "Psycho" which means really cool, so you say, "Tokyo Psycho!" rather than, "Tokyo is really groovy, dude."
Finally, what's your fave ocean?
Daniel: None of them - because of the movie Jaws and because I think airplanes are going to crash into them! I don't want to be hanging on to a piece of fuselage in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean singing 'My Heart Will Go On'... (Darren starts singing in a scary Celine Dion type way, Smash Hits creeps away...)
Savage Garden is an International music giant. They've sold over SIX million albums worldwide and their current CD 'Affirmation' is still selling well. Having just arrived back at his San Francisco home after a grueling tour of the US, lead singer Darren Hayes found time to chat to STAR* about love, life and relationships.
Star*: SO WHO IS DARREN HAYES?
Darren: He's a cheeky little kid who used to sing in the shower and gets paid to do it as a man. But I am really just a little boy.
Star*: DO YOU LIKE PEOPLE SEEING THE REAL YOU?
Darren: To a certain degree. I am a terrible liar; so with music and lyrics I'd rather be honest. When I get out there and sing I really feel and mean it.
Star*: HAVE YOU EVER HAD YOUR HEART BROKEN?
Darren: Oh yeah. Of course. I think that most of my songs are about that. I love the heart. I am very committed. I am full of passion and I definitely would give up a lot for love and relationships. Right now though. I am definitely at a stage where I realize that you don't need somebody else to be complete. You can have somebody else to complement you. I've realized that you need to stand on your own two feet.
Star*: IS THERE A SECRET RECIPE FOR THE BROKEN HEART?
Darren: If the love isn't mutual, someone's heart will always be broken. If I'm in love with someone and we break up I don t think I could ever stop loving that person. I've been in love three times and I don't think I will ever stop loving those people. When you see them, you fall in love all over again well, at least I do. You realize that you have to make a decision and that's the hardest part. Because you know that if you're a good person and you're a caring person and you love and care for the other person. Then the situation is bad for you.
Star*: IS IT EASIER HAVING YOUR HEART BROKEN IF YOU'RE A STAR?
Darren: I haven't had a relationship in a while. Maybe it's because I'm afraid. I don't know. I don't really know what it's like because I wasn't dating while we were recording Affirmation. It's hard for me to know why people are interested in me. Is it because of my job? I'm constantly travelling around and it's not easy. Even if I did have a long-term relationship, it would end up being a strange one. We'd be on the phone the whole time and that can be pretty difficult.
Star*: If a friend dated my ex?
Darren: Don't even go there. You can't date someone in the circle. especially if you're a jealous person"
Star*: HOW IMPORTANT IS FRIENDSHIP TO YOU?
Darren: Extremely important. I can really be defined by my friends. There's one girl who's my best friend in the whole world, she's like a sister to me. We've known each other for about five years and we work together. There are another two or three people who I really treat like family too. I'd rather have a few really intense relationships, instead of a lot of friends or acquaintances. There are just a few people that I really trust.
Star*: DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A GOOD FRIEND?
Darren: I think I'm a great friend .I'm very loyal and very loving. I think I can be frustrating at times. If I'm happy I'm really happy. And if I'm angry, I'm really, really angry. But I think I am a good friend to have.
Star*: DESCRIBE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH DANIEL (THE OTHER HALF OF SAVAGE GARDEN)
Darren: It's almost like the relationship I have with my brother - in that I love my brother but we don't have a lot in common. He's a bit of a mystery, Daniel. He doesn't go out a lot and isn't really into being a product or selling himself. I think he's more interested in the business and how it works, the statistical, financial kind of game. I guess I'm an artist who really takes it all on board. I hurt when I'm insulted and I brim when I'm complimented. I know that when we're in the studio or on stage together, I love being with him. It's a very, very special connection, and maybe it's special because it doesn't exist on any of those other levels. It's kind of like we have to fuss each other out. We're always really happy for the first three or four shows of the tour. Actually he's been happy all year this year... because essentially he doesn't do anything! (Laughs) No, it's really been fun to see him happy because in the past he's had to do press and things like that, which just aren't his thing. It kind of whittled him away a bit and he became really quite and sad about it, but now he's quite a happy little bean!
Star*: DO YOU FIND IT DIFFICULT BEING THE FRONTMAN?
Darren: In a word, 'YES'. It's a bit tough, to be honest, but it's a compromise and it's one of those things and, you know, I love Daniel. My relationship with him is a bit like a marriage. I was married, and then I changed my mind, and then I got married to a band and involved in a career with someone. Daniel didn't really realize what he was doing until he got into it and he's kind of changed his mind about certain aspects of the job a little bit. I just try and support him in that and obviously some days, it's difficult. I am a perfectionist, I'm very obsessed about my voice and my physical health, so when I'm speaking or singing, I tend to feel the drain. But we support each other; he does the things that I don't do. He sits in the accountants' meetings when I stare out of the window and dream costumes. He's the other side Savage Garden, we get on well and I love him.
One is a bit of a wag. The other is a nerdy swot. They are the complete opposites - the Ying and Yang of pop, so to speak! Diane Godley finds out what makes Savage Garden roar.
Have you ever been savaged by a garden?
Daniel: I've been stung by bees before, haha
Darren: We blew up the garden gnome to destroy any future references to gardens. Savage Garden is actually inspired by Anne Rice novels about vampires (the author of the book 'Interview With The Vampire') I love those books. It's got a deeper meaning. It's not about garden gnomes.
What were you like at school?
Daniel: I dunno. I didn't go very much. My nickname was "waggin" haha! I was in control at school. I had older brothers who went through the school before me. They didn't have a bad reputation, but they didn't have a good one either. So my reputation was a spin-off of theirs - instant credibility.
Darren: I was normal. A completely normal kid: the school nerd. In grade eight and nine I got picked on. I was a freak - no one understood me. I was the kid who wanted to be abducted by ET. Then all the losers left in Year 10.
Daniel: I was one of those losers!
Diane: So was I!
Darren: I was quite good at school and very artistic. In Year 11 it was a turn-around. I was one of the coolest kids in school. I was in school musicals: the kid who could sing. It was bizarre. I loved school. It's an amazing little world. The rules inside school are totally different from the outside world.
Spell "reservoir"
Daniel: Reservoir Dogs - R-E- I'm not a good speller. That comes from wagging school, haha! I can spell dogs. D-O-G-S.
Darren: R-E-S-E-R-V-O-I-R. Is that right?
Diane: Yep
What's the square root of 625?
Darren: Wouldn't have a clue. I got limited achievement in maths. I loved science, biology, but I hated maths.
Daniel: 12? Don't ask me questions like that!
Diane: Erm... 25 actually.
When was the first time you heard yourself on the radio?
Daniel: I was sitting in my car. I knew the song had gone to radio - friends in Melbourne rung and told me they had heard the song on the radio - but I hadn't heard it and I was getting really frustrated. Then, one day I was sitting in my car and it just came on. It was a beautiful feeling.
Darren: I was actually working in a video shop and I was having a really bad day. Then the song just came on the radio and it just made my day. The first time I saw myself on TV I remember I hated it. I think you go through that period where you first hear your voice but I'm over that now. I can hear my voice now - I know what I sound like. So it's not that big a shock to me. But to see myself on TV! I've dealt with that now too. It was like, okay, that's what I look like, all right, I'll deal with that. Everyone else has for 23 years. It was the first time I realized what I looked like in 3D.
Would you ever consider doing a remake of "Smoke on the Water"?
Darren: N-E-V-E-R. Never. I'm not influenced by classical rock at all. I don't know if we'd ever do a cover version of anything. Live we would, but we'd never release anything. I thing we have too much to say - we can't shut up as it is.
When was the last time you went moshing?
Darren: I missed the entire mosh pit experience. I think I'm going to mature and be buried without ever having experienced to joys of guitar rock moshing.
Daniel: Although they're not really a mosh band, there was a mosh pit at a Hoodoo Gurus concert I went to once. That was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed being a yobbo for once in my life, haha!
What's the best thing about living in Australia?
Darren: There are loads of good things, I could go on and on... urn, there's loads of open space, the lifestyle is amazing, there are tons of opportunities there and the people are beautiful, really accepting.
Daniel: And Brisbane, where we live, is known as the politest city in the country! I think it's because it a doesn't realize how big it actually is - it's got a million people living there, but it still feels like you're living in a small town. It's a beautiful place - it's next to two of the best beaches I've ever seen and, of course, all my friends live there.
Is there anything you don't like?
Darren: There are only two things I don't like about it. One is that a lot of people there don't seem to a have enough faith in themselves - they think that American and English stuff is better than their own stuff, when it comes to music and fashion and things. Also there's a female politician there at the moment who's getting really popular and I hate her because she's extremely racist, and a lot of people seem to like her, which I find a bit scary...
Daniel: Do you have 'bevans' here? That's what we call people who drive round in really fast cars with the roof down listening to Metallica and stuff like that really loudly! There are a lot of them in Australia and that's a bit annoying, but apart from that I can't really think of anything else I don't like.
What do you think of Britain?
Darren: I've only really seen London and I think it's stunning and fantastic! It's got the same sort of vibe as New York City, in that it made me re-evaluate everything I thought was cool. There's always something happening here and it seems to be a city where things get done - you can feel it in the air.
Daniel: People in Britain seem to be really creative and there's a sense of style in the average person in the street that you don't really get in Australia. I always think if I go away from Britain for a week or two, when I come back everything'll have changed and I'll be out of fashion!
What are the differences between the Brits and Aussies?
Darren: I think we're more similar than people think- I mean, Australians feel pretty close to you lot because we've got the Union Jack in our flag and the Queen's face on our coins and everything, although we're round the other side of the world!
Daniel: That's true, but I think the British are quite conservative in a way and the Australians live up to their reputation as being complete slobs!
So when you're at home do you do all the traditional Australian things like going to barbies and drinking tinnies?!
Darren: I don't drink at all, but every time there's a birthday in my family we have a barbie - it's just what people do there, 'cause the weather's so nice
Daniel: I do drink tinnies, yeah, lots of 'em! I often go to barbies as well - and while you lot are freezing to death over here, we usually have a barbie for Christmas dinner 'cause it's too hot to have a roast!
Is it true that you used to have a kangaroo as a pet?
Darren: I used to have two! Their mothers had been killed while the babies were still alive in their pouches so they came to live in our house until they got too big and we let them back into the wild again!
Daniel: And I used to have a pet kookaburra (large Aussie bird with a 'cackling cry', apparently). He had a broken wing and we kept him in a box 'til he got better! We've both got koala bears living at the bottom of our gardens at home as well, so we know all about Australian wildlife!
So just how big are Savage Garden in Australia?
Darren: We're probably the biggest band there at the moment.
Daniel: Yeah... so far we've had a Number One album, three Number One singles, a national tour and we even managed to knock the Spice Girls off the top! We feel really lucky to have been accepted in our own country as well as getting to travel round seeing so many other brilliant places round the world!
Q. What is his worst habit?
Darren on Daniel: indulging in many bad habits. Daniel on Darren: He's obsessive, Very obsessive
A. Daniel: My worst habit would probably be...um, having a bit too much fun. I like indulging in all my bad habits. Darren: Probably getting too emotional.
Q. What's his fave TV show?
Darren on Daniel: The Simpsons Daniel on Darren: Mad About You
A. Daniel: Seinfeld, or The Simpsons Darren: Seinfeld
Q. Who's his fave music?
Darren on Daniel: He doesn't have one Daniel on Darren: Bono
A. Daniel: At the moment, I like Alanis or Seal. Darren: Michael Jackson
Q. How long does he spend in front of the mirror each morning?
Darren on Daniel: Not as long as me! Probably about 15 minutes Daniel on Darren: Well, he gets up three weeks before he has to go out!
A. Daniel: 5 to 10 minutes Darren: Ohhh! Hours and hours.
Q. What's more important to him; Fun, Love or Money?
Darren on Daniel: Love Daniel on Darren: Fun
A. Daniel: Love Darren: Love
Q. What's his biggest regret?
Darren on Daniel: I don't think Daniel has regrets! Daniel on Darren: I don't think he regrets anything!
A. Daniel: My biggest regret would probably be that I didn't listen enough in school. Darren: Not paying attention in gym classes because I'm totally uncoordinated
Q. What does he always keep in his fridge?
Darren on Daniel: Not much! Daniel on Darren: I'd say anything but meat.
A. Daniel: Chocolate Darren: Skim milk and yogurt
Q. If he were a character on The Simpsons, which would he be?
Darren on Daniel: Homer Daniel on Darren: It's Bart, for sure.
A. Daniel: Barney (laughs). No, maybe not, a cross between Barney and Homer. Darren: I'd be Bart, probably
Q. What would he really hate us to know about him?
Darren on Daniel: The insect Theory. That is, he has a short attention span and if you bore him, he'll flick you away like an insect! Daniel on Darren: He's got an attention prob.
A. Daniel: I kind of have a different perception of myself than other people do (laughs)! I'm just not that tolerant. Oh, you mean The Insect Theory? Well, it's not as harsh as all that. That makes me sound evil, and I'm not an evil person. Darren: (laughs) My personal grooming habits. Let's just leave it at that!
Q. Which would he prefer: vixen or virgin?
Darren on Daniel: Virgin, probably. Daniel on Darren: Vixen
A. Daniel: Vixen for sure. Darren: I think for the record I'd say Virgin, but deep in my heart of hearts it's always a Vixen.
On Savage Garden...
Has it been everything I'd dreamed of? No, but you know, dreams - things that you put on a pedestal - never really work out... I've earned enough money, sold enough records, but now I've got to a point where I'm much more concerned about quality than quantity. I think that sometimes we're limited by people's expectations or stereotypes. I'm always the one saying, 'C'mon, we can do this!', & there are always ten people saying 'No, we can't!' I think it's the job of the artist to challenge boundaries.
On Their Show...
I really believe in it. We've already toured it in Japan & Australia, & it's just getting better & better. I know I look ridiculous when I do this (makes funny hand action), but it's like, if you do it too, if we give up our ego for an hour & a half, leave our inhibitions at the door & go somewhere emotionally with the music... When you come in through the door, you get 100% of me. Every note that I can hit, & every single physical thing I can do for you, I am doing it. And everything's alive.
On The Pop Scene...
There's a lot of lip-syncing going on at the other pop shows. There was certainly a lot at Party In The Park. I couldn't believe it! I mean, can we please stop giving record deals to people who can't actually make music or play an instrument?
On Friends...
Leonie is my best friend - she's my assistant. She just tells me I can do things even if I think I can't. She told me I could sing with Pavarotti, & that I'd be the best on stage that night. She has complete faith in me. She never stokes my ego, though; she's just in my corner.
On Photo Shoots...
I can do it, I can smoulder, but I don't enjoy it. It's all about selling an image, which doesn't allow for imperfections. There's a make-up artist, there's a stylist, & every photo gets treated in some way, even if it's airbrushed the smallest amount, & it makes me feel like I'm party of the beauty myth, which I hate. I don't think that's a good thing to promote.
On Travelling...
I miss little things like the contents of my fridge. Just knowing that you certain brand of yogurt is there when I can't get it here!
On Kissing...
I'm apparently amazing. I've got great lips, I've been told. You'd have to be dead not to be able to kiss well with these. I'm a very sensitive kisser, I'm not into the whole washing machine tongue thing. I've taught all my partners how to kiss, 'coz if the kiss isn't there, it's not going to happen. (Such honesty!)
On Love at first site...
Yes. And I've experienced it twice. Once turned into a marriage, & the other was a long-term thing that lasted for over a year. I'm a really big believer in destiny & spirituality... The song, IKILY (I Knew I Loved You) was all about that kind of thing - that everything in your life happens for a reason.
On Loneliness...
I do get lonely on the road. I'm single, & I can't imagine hoe I'm ever going to have a relationship, or even meet anyone while I'm travelling. The great thing about it is that the crew & the band become a surrogate family, but there are something that you can't make up for. The last phone call at the end of the day, that end-of-day wrap, it's so important to have someone special around.
On Fame...
It's bizarre. I'm either too famous or not famous enough. I'm not famous enough when the bouncer won't let me into the NSync party to dance to the new Madonna song, because he doesn't know who I am. Or I'm too famous, & I'm lying on the beach & a family of eight want to take a picture of me half naked. What I love about fame is that I have the opportunity to really inspire people, not just the fans, but also the band & crew. You can take people on the road with you, & improve their lives & make them feel part of something huge. And you can pay off your parent's mortgage or help out your brother. Walk into a kids' hospital with children dying of cancer, & you walk in there & they smile. That's far more important to me than getting my picture taken with Puffy & Jennifer.
You're always on the go. So how do you relax?
My house is my haven; I love being there and cooking for friends. We travel so much and it's hard to make friends so I really cherish the people in my life. Fitness is also a big thing for me, not just to look good, but spiritually as well. Whether we are going to the gym or meditating, it makes me shut off. And, I don't think about work 'coz I can't get to a phone when I'm in a gym.
How often you meditate?
As often as possible. It gets me away from everything. There are times when I need to disappear and hide, but it's impossible if you're on tour and constantly surrounded by people. Meditating is a great way of having your own even when things are hectic. I'm learning yoga too; 1t's amazing I woke up this morning and was so excited because I could touch my toes. I'm getting very supple!
Does songwriting relax you?
Kind of. I really express myself through my songs, and I'm very outwardly emotional through the lyrics, so I have to be feeling pretty creative and really want to contain that when I'm writing. It's not a process I can rush and I can't think 'Ooh, I've got an hour. I'll write a song.' Sometimes, it can take me five months, but other times it can take me five minutes. It's something I have to have space to do.
Describe your ideal night in?
I would stay in with a fantastic DVD and take the phone off the hook. I've got this little nook in my lounge, which has a couch in it, and it's the comfiest couch In the whole world -I swear the couch is made from feathers hand plucked from a royal duck's bottom. I'd get a really cool movie like 'Raiders Of The Lost Ark', 'Star Wars' or ET something that reminds me of being a kid; I'd also get a big tub of really fattening ice cream, like triple-hot fudge death by chocolate-type stuff. Perfect.
Who would you invite to your fantasy dinner party?
Joey 'N Sync, 'coz he's such a fun guy. Gwyneth Paltrow 'coz she's really Intelligent. Christopher Ciccone (Madonna's brother, dontcha know) 'coz he's just a sweetheart.
Kevin Backstreet 'coz he's great. Britney 'coz I like her a lot. Madonna. Actually, scrap the rest. I'd just have Madonna 'coz she's so incredible.
Then again, part of me doesn't want to meet her in case it spoils the illusion. I like being voyeuristic where Madonna is concerned I'm not sure how I'd feel about meeting her because I've got her on a pedestal.
Where do you go out partying?
I don't really go out partying much. I rarely drink and I'm not really into the club scene. I'm a simple guy so if I have time off I like to the movies or dinner, or stay at home and cook. But if I go out I like somewhere that plays disco, not full- on house. I love to dance, so I love going anywhere I can have a boogie.
What's the best party you've ever been to?
There are a lot of disappointing parties in places like Hollywood, and in this business. You could be forgiven thinking a lot of parties are movies cast by morons, and the people there are just actors and cartoon characters. There are so many parties full of hangers-on. The more personal parties are the best. I have some great parties on my tour bus. And my record company threw a nice party after an Awards show in Australia. Some of my friends were there, and my parents, and it was lovely. Much better than hanging out with boring luvvies!
Savage Garden burst onto the scene in 1998 when the huge success of their single Truly Madly Deeply led in turn to their self-titled debut album selling 11 million copies across the globe. The Brisbane duo of Darren Hayes (singer/songwriter) and Daniel Jones (keyboard/synthesisers) has seen the follow-up Affirmation hit the top spot in America. They are set to consolidate their astonishing run of success with their new single Crash & Burn. Darren took time out from the group's extremely hectic schedule to speak to OK!
What was the Inspiration behind the new single Crash & Burn?
Darren: It's actually a pretty positive song. We wanted the song to be for young people - reaching out and communicating with them. It's just a beautiful message - everybody hurts.
The prevailing themes of Affirmation are love, heartbreak, despair and hope. Do you tend to channel your emotions into your songs?
Darren: Oh yeah, definitely. It's completely personal, for a long time pop was completely devoid of any sincerity. This is me, from first hand experience, saying there is always hope - life is a search and I try to put that across in what I do. I generally write about human relationships and things that every person on the street can relate to.
You're absolutely huge In the States - I Knew I Loved You knocked Christina Aguilera off the top spot. Are you expecting the new single to do as well?
Darren: I don't really care about chart positions to be honest. I want Crash & Burn to be a friend to someone in need - a message to young people, but it does have potential and could be our biggest song.
Daniel and you seem to be very private people, were you overwhelmed by the success of your first really big hit 'Truly Madly Deeply'?
Darren: I don't give away my private life - recognition hasn't encroached on my life. I do what is necessary for the group. Thankfully the tabloid press isn't really interested in me and so I'm able to live my life without getting involved in any of that, which is the way I like it.
Daniel says he's not really comfortable with the whole fame thing. Could the same be said of you?
Darren: Yeah, I'm living in New York right now, which as you know is the entertainment capital of the world, and I find it both a blessing and a curse. But I'm not exactly hounded by a pack of photographers every time I get off a plane like a lot of other bands.
What do you think about all the attention bands like Oasis get?
Darren: I've got a lot of compassion for them. Publicity is a double-edged sword, it can be a friend or an enemy and for a band like Oasis it's a monster because everything you do is recorded and it only takes one slip-up. I do dig Oasis, they love what they do and their new album is passionate. They are a band that has just gone for it and the media have been brutal to them. I have an obscure life in comparison. I realize that the media are doing me a favour but at the same time they do not need me.
How did Savage Garden originally get together?
Darren: Daniel was in a band called Red Edge in Brisbane, they had a lot of interest from a record company but they were looking for a new singer. I saw their advert in the Aussie NME saying 'Serious singer wanted.' We spent one-year together writing songs in the studio and from that project the band evolved into what it is today.
What were you doing before you met Daniel and formed the band?
Darren: While I was at university I did a lot of moonlighting in theatre productions and different plays. I was expected to be a doctor or lawyer but I left university one month before the end of my course. My parents were livid, my father thought that I was completely mad, but now he's our biggest fan.
You seem to work really well together as a team - are you still really good mates as well?
Darren: We are both different people yet we are like brothers. The musical partnership is so intense so we have to give each other space - we have a weird respect for each other.
Who are your Influences?
Darren: When I was growing up I was really influenced by Motown and soul singers - Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. I also liked Eighties pop - George Michael, Eurythmics, U2, Peter Gabriel, Madonna and Prince.
What's next for Savage Garden?
Darren: We are going to be on tour soon, which we're looking forward to. We love performing, designing the show and making videos. The video for Crash & Burn has amazing special effects. After this tour I think Daniel would like to produce for other artists and I'm thinking about the possibility of a solo career or going back to my theatrical roots.
