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In Full Bloom
(Lime Magazine, February 2002)
The now-solo DARREN HAYES bares his soul on travelling first-class,
making out to his new music and that devastating split with ex-Savage Garden mate Daniel
Jones.
Robbie Williams has done it. So has Ronan Keating. Now Darren Hayes wants to do it too.
We're talking about superstars whpse solo success has transcended their boyband past. For
the last either years, Darren was better known as the lead vocalist of Savage Garden, the
Australian duo behind US No 1 singles 'Truly Madly Deeply' and 'I Knew I Loved You', and
chart-blazers such as 'To The Moon And Back' and 'The Animal Song'. While the outspoken
performer had often indicated he would strike it out on his own after three or four
albums, the split came sooner than expected. After releasing just two albums (the
20-million shifting Savage Garden and Affirmation), the duo decided to go their separate
ways. "It wasn't that I left the band. The band left me," commented Darren.
In fact, is reticent other half Daniel Jones had his way, Affirmation would never have
seen the light of day. "Daniel told me he didn't want to do it anymore...he was
really unhappy and that broke my heart. But when he actually said he didn't want to be in
a band anymore, it came as a huge surprise," disclosed Darren. As fans grappled with
the shock split, cynics remained unfazed; after all, wasn't it just last year that the
pair had announced they were taking a hiatus - while Darren was readying his solo record?
And so Darren the lone artist is now a man on a mission. On a special stoppver in Hong
Kong to meet the regional press ("I'm leaving in an hour's time for London," he
reminds us), the flamboyant fashionista already has everyone in a flap over his image
makeover. He has traded in the slick jet-black mane for tousled golden curls - blonde,
incidentally, being his real colouring - and exchanged his previous over-styled threads
for a casual pants and jacket ensemble. Eager to plug his upcoming solo debt, Spin, the
popster is polite but firm, open yet private. On his former bandmate, he is quietly
pensive. Start discussing music, however, and the die-hard romantic pours his heart out.
LIME : Your lead single 'Insatiable' is about desire, What can't you get enough of?
DARREN HAYES : I'm very greedy - emotionally. I need a lot of love but I also give a lot
of love. And Swiss chocolate. It's usually removed from my hotel room to prevent me from
asking for more. But I managed to find some in my room last night.
'Insatiable' is also your favourite track on debut album Spin. Why is that so?
Because it came so easily. It's so infectious and passionate, it's really one of those
songs you have to dance to. I wrote it in 10 minutes, and I couldn't stop going 'Thank
you, God!' after that.
Spin is such a romantic record, What's the most romantic thing you've ever done?
The most romantic thing I've done is...very private. But I've done it.
What's your take on love?
I'm an idealist. Happiness is a choice. And I believe it's possible and necessary to find
happiness with another person. I'm a really emotional person. I've been slammed and
celebrated for it. It allows me to express myself and that's why I'm in this business. The
things I feel aren't always happy, but they do give me something to write about.
How does it fell knowng that somewhere,someone is making out to your music?
(Laughs) It's erotic, itsn't it? It's the first time I made an album I'd buy. I don't mean
to insult anything I've done with Savage Garden, but I went through a very conscious
process during the production this time. Apart from choosing the songs and getting the
soung, I also had to pay attention to the records I was listening to, to inject my
personality into the music. You know what, I'd probably make out to my music before anyone
else does.
Speaking of Savage Garden, when was the last time you spoke to Daniel?
I haven't spoken to him in a while. The split wasn't like what the media made it out to
be. Our friendship was based on creative collaboration but we led very separate lives. I
think that was necessary to keep the musical connection alive.
Some people will compare Spin to your Savage Garden stuff...
And they should. I don't want to dismiss Savage Garden. The voice is the same, except I
now have a set of collaborators who react to it differently. In fact, who knows how the
third Savage Garden album would have sounded like?
You've been in the business for 10 years. What's one pop-star perk that still excites you?
I still get excited about travelling first-class. It amazed me that my job puts me in
airplanes. When I was in Japan, the record company sent 15 representatives to my hotel to
greet me for two full minutes. You just can't buy that kind of support. It's an incredible
thing. And I make sure I deserve and live up to the expectations.
Listen out for 'Insatiable'.
Spin will be in stores next month.
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