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HAYES, DARREN
Hayes, Darren ImageGrateful thanks from the Whammo Editor
by G

Before making the transition from music-television to cyberspace I had seldom directly experienced the fervor of fans. That all changed when, offended by the music-media’s un-justified attacks on the reputation of Darren Hayes, I defended him in a review for the Australian Tour Edition of Spin. The response was simply amazing. Darren’s network of fans communicated faster than I thought possible and my inbox was bombed with warm and grateful responses that charmed me and prompted me to invest more time and energy into the exposure of this fine vocal talent. Many of those original messages – the desperate pleas and heart-felt wishes – have inspired this interview. This exercise in fan-participation has been a huge success and I’d like to thank all of Darren’s fans, regardless of whether their questions or comments were included. You all make up a legendary team of supportive music-lovers and I’m certain Darren is thankful to have such an intelligent and loving fan-base. Of course, I’d also like to thank Darren for interrupting a well-earned rest to devote some time to our humble site. Things certainly have changed since those narrow-minded critics attempted – unsuccessfully – to cast a shadow over Spin; now regarded as one of the most successful international Pop releases of 2002. Please enjoy Whammo’s exclusive interview with Darren hayes…

*To receive regular updates on Darren Hayes, simply sign up for the Darren Hayes newsletter. (click here)

DARREN HAYES INTERVIEW: A WHAMMO EXCLUSIVE!
By Liz Goldberg

Darren Hayes does not want his fans to believe everything printed about him. The truth is, Hayes and former Savage Garden partner Daniel Jones do not hate one another, Hayes does indeed still have a U.S. record deal, and his record company did not toss out the first music video made for his single Insatiable just because they didn’t like his new, natural blond hairdo. It’s also untrue that his debut album, Spin, is a flop. Well less than a year after its release, Spin has long-since gone platinum Down Under and has sold over a million copies, and counting, in the UK. In addition, Hayes was nominated for an ARIA award as Best Male Artist and won the award for Best International Male Artist at the MTV Awards in Beijing. Pretty impressive for an album - supposedly - no one likes, no?

Whammo decided to ignore the tall poppy syndrome plaguing Mr. Hayes and let him set the record straight in his own words. After a well-received tour, which spanned much of the globe during the latter part of last year, Hayes was nice enough to take a break from his much-deserved time off to answer some very creative questions submitted by his loyal fans. Read on for some revealing and amusing information about one of Australia’s most famous celebrities, and then be sure to scroll down to pre-order Hayes’ latest single, I Miss You, released for retail sale 20 Feb…

Becky Brandle: Were you worried about how people would receive your solo CD?
Darren: I was certainly hopeful people would like it but I think that's a pretty natural desire! I really wasn't concerned as far as my effort or the quality of the work but sales, reviews...these are things you really can't control so you kind of have to give up control and just let it be what it will be.
Dianne Swiggs ( D-Zine fanclub member, DHST, Adelaide,Australia): Who says "ready" at the beginning of Crush(1980 me)?
Darren: A machine!
Kaz: What do you mean by 'Right Dead Back On It?'
Darren: I think I'm saying 'you are the shit!
Ashley Larimore: What is the most inspirational event in your life that has encouraged you to write about how you felt?
Darren: Love always inspires me. September 11, I think inspired the entire world. I generally think about human relationships and the chaos within my own world as an endless source of inspiration. I try to write songs that people can relate to.
Liz from the Pennsylvania Street Team: When you write a song, it is obviously very personal and emotional. When you perform the song live, do all of the feelings you had when writing the song come flooding back to you, or are you so wrapped up in the energy of the concert that you don¹t feel them as much?
Darren: You feel them more…and sometimes you feel differently because you have changed since you wrote the song and later the words take on a different meaning…but you feel it all the same. It's very powerful and draining actually.
Cat Blaine: A question that came to me as was reading about the Newcastle concert, regarding the touring experience: It's a nomadic existence on tour...kind of..."if it's Tuesday this must be Latvia...but my luggage is in Bangkok!" Do you miss being grounded; miss your own house, your own bed, a familiar sky? Miss opening your own refrigerator? Or is the stage more "home" than anywhere else could be? Do you create your home and take it with you?
Darren: It's so funny how comfortable I am in a hotel. Recently I checked into a hotel in New York for a mini holiday and my friend commented how at ease i was with the whole thing. Unpacking my stuff…finding my feet within seconds of being in a hotel room. That's because I've spent 7 years living out of them! I certainly do miss my home, my dog, my friends when I'm away though.
Miss Janet Marie Smekar: Do you have any plans for America to tour and/or promote here with a new single scheduled for release?
Darren: I think I'm officially done. People would like me to tour more I'm sure, but it's been two years of solid work for me making and promoting Spin and right now I'm looking forward to some much needed rest. Of course there are a few things up my sleeve that may come to light and I'm sure I'll be working on, from home, on new music eventually but no big plans as yet.
Lisa Maree: Have you enjoyed mixing your new & old music on your tour?
Darren: So much. It made me fall in love with the old songs all over again. I enjoyed putting a 'spin' on the old tunes so they made sense with the new ones.
Wendy Borbidge: Darren, we who were there felt that your show at the Melbourne Forum was just about as good as a concert could ever be. An electrifying performance from you and everyone on stage! How do you feel after a show like that; where you¹ve had such a powerful connection with an audience; where they¹ve sung all the words to your songs and responded so positively?
Darren: It's funny because the first show I lost my voice and it was terrible!!! The second show weeks later was a blast and I loved it so much. The shows in Australia were a bit of a struggle for me health-wise but the audiences were so beautiful to me I didn't care!
Sarah Caldwell: Of the concerts in Australia, which was the best audience? Oh, and also, will you marry me?
Darren: I loved the second Sydney show the best…and I don't know you, so don't you think we should maybe go on a date first before we agree to such a serious commitment as marriage!!
Poli from Bulgaria: We love you so much here! You have a lot of friends in my country. You travel so much all over the world and meet so many people from different cultures. With your wonderful music, you are an incredible influence on them. How do you feel about that? Do you have a mission?
Darren: I feel very grateful to be able to travel the world with music. Do I have a mission? No. I really just love music and I want to bring that enthusiasm to people. It makes my life better so hopefully my job makes your job a little easier, if that makes sense.
Sonya from Brisbane, QLD: We know how proud you are to be an Australian and that you love the time you spend at home. My question is: Besides your family and friends, what are 3 things that you miss most about Australia and do you think you'll ever return to live here permanently?
Darren: I miss the incredible climate and weather. Australia really is the most beautiful place on earth. I miss the Australian sense of humor. I miss Freddo Frogs. Howzatt?
Nicola: A long time ago, you mentioned you would like to write a novel. Do you still want to, and if you do, what genre would it be?
Darren: I love fantasy/horror/sci fi…but ideally I'd like to write a film.
Lou from London: Please can you release a b-side CD of tracks coz we love your music so much and we want more of it! (Ed: this is a reference to the third ConnecteD track, OEWhere You Want To Be¹, which many fans have asked about)
Darren: One day there will be a collection of most of my/Savage Garden music. I'm sure it will include everything. But that day is not today!
Cindy Ho: I'm editing a book called The Darren Hayes Project - Bringing Our World Together Through One Man. I've been keeping your family in touch with the progress, and I was wondering if you were aware of it. It's a book composed of writings and artwork submitted by fans and the proceeds all go to The Matthew Shepard Foundation. I'm curious to know what your reaction is to this project? What do you think of the North American fans who are working so hard to help you over here?
Darren: I think that's a wonderful cause. Because my family run my fan club I'm always kept in the loop with what you guys are up to. What do I think of my North American fans helping and promoting me? Of course I'm grateful but I really don't expect it. I think you can have as little or as much involvement in an artist’s career as you wish - it's a personal choice. I don't think it is the fans’ sole responsibility to 'promote' an artist - I think record companies get enough money and therefore should be able to afford to do that!! But lately the record industry has changed so much that fans really do keep songs in the charts and on the airwaves simply by voicing their enthusiasm. When times are tough, it is always the fans requesting songs and coming along to shows that keeps the ball rolling…and for that I say thank you. Your passion and love for music is the best.

I MISS YOU (4 TRX)
DARREN HAYESDARREN HAYES
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Darren Hayes has proved to everyone he has the staying power and incredible talent for solo success. His concert tour last year proved worthy of good reviews from press and fans alike. Darren begins 2003 with the fourth single from his debut solo album Spin. I Miss You is another power ballad, a niche Darren is famous for. It's had the remix treatment from US producer Dallas Austin - obviously to make the track more ‘radio friendly’ - not that it needs it. Lately it's become the norm, a ballad needs to have the dance mix treatment before radio will touch it- a great shame that radio feels it needs to dictate to how an artist should sound. The main highlight on the single is no doubt the Madonna bootleg mix Crush On Holiday, a constant fixture on radio last year. A pleasant surprise awaits in the final track, an unreleased song Where You Want To Be. While instantly falling in love with this song, I couldn't help but wonder why it was missing off the album; a brilliant track with a gorgeous stirring melody. The track was co written with power producer Rick Nowels. This single is a brilliant package for fans- a ‘must have’ for your Darren Hayes collection. All we need now is a new album from one of Australia's leading male vocalists.
(review by Leo)
SPIN (AUSTRALIAN TOUR EDITION)
DARREN HAYESDARREN HAYES
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2 cd pack

Music-journalists have claimed Darren Hayes' career is dwindling, which is strange because last time I checked, over a million sales normally indicates success. Australia's most obvious victim of 'tall-poppy syndrome' has silenced the critics with a superbly written/produced solo debut. Spin features singles Insatiable and the album opens with the catchy Strange Relationship. Darren's tribute to the 80's, Crush, is currently rotating through radio and video play-lists as the ex-Savage Gardener wraps up a tour his homeland. With plans to continue his world tour and strong sales of the album, Darren Hayes is well placed to ignore the trifling jibes of local media and concentrate on a busy schedule. Whammo have just received the exclusive Australian Tour Edition of Spin; perfect for overseas collectors or Aussie fans looking for a momento of the live shows. A second disc features live versions of Darren's singles and captures the excitement of the recent concerts.
STRANGE RELATIONSHIP (3 TRX)
DARREN HAYESDARREN HAYES
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Insatiable may have impressed pop-lovers with its clever disection of desire but Strange Relationship shows strength in areas of arrangement, production and the clever layering of strings. The second single from Spin shows another dimension and proves Darren's album can provide a journey for listeners. Strange Relationship is a well-crafted, textural tale of impossible love and Darren rightly points out that they are the the most addictive enfatuations. Next time I break up I might listen to this song again, instead of living it! Bravo.
INSATIABLE (6TRX)
DARREN HAYESDARREN HAYES
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Darren's first single as a lone entity clearly defines his intentions with a debut at #3 on the Australian ARIA charts. A richly woven tale of longing, Insatiable provides a detailed insight into passion and lyically steps over the lines drawn by other mainstream pop idols. It shows some courage and self-belief, which is exactly what Darren will need as he leaves the safety of Savage Garden behind.
SUPERSTARS & CANNONBALLS - SAVAGE GARDEN
SAVAGE GARDENSAVAGE GARDEN
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DVD Region:4 Format:PAL

(1hr, 50 mins) "I believe in karma, what you give is what you get returned", sings Savage Garden. And the pop duo's fans know just how true this sentiment is. This DVD features never-before-seen live footage of the band's 2000 tour of Australia, including myriad hits and some lesser-known tracks too. Unforgettable, and essential for all fans of the Garden.

Please note this is a PAL format DVD and restricted for Region 4 play only (Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Central America, Mexico, South America and the Caribbean).

Please check that both your DVD player and television are PAL compatible before ordering as we cannot exchange.
SAVAGE GARDEN: SUPER STARS AND CANNON BALLS
SAVAGE GARDENSAVAGE GARDEN
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(2hrs) Filmed on the Australian leg of their massive world tour, Superstars and Cannonballs. Features the full length documentary, Parallel Lives, followed by the entire 90 minute Live Affirmation Concert filmed in Brisbane, QLD, Australia.

Please note: This video is PAL format, which is suitable for play in Australasia, most of Europe and the UK. If you live in the US, Canada or other country where the NTSC format is used, please purchase the NTSC version of this video which is also available on Whammo.
AFFIRMATION (ENHANCED + BONUS TRACK)
SAVAGE GARDENSAVAGE GARDEN
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ARIA Awards 2000 - Nominee for Album of the Year, Best Pop Release, Best Group, Producer of the Year (Darren Hayes/Daniel Jones) Second album from popularly acclaimed mainstream pop outfit from Brisbane, Affirmation takes the duo's stylised sound to new heights. Darren Hayes and Daniel Jones mesh their individual songwriting smarts for a fresh batch of tracks which run from intimate to radio-smashing. Australia and America are already conquered - next stop, the universe!
SAVAGE GARDEN + FUTURE OF EARTHLY DELITES (AUS TOUR REMIXES CD)
SAVAGE GARDENSAVAGE GARDEN
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2 cd pack


SAVAGE GARDEN (AUS VERSION)
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THE FANS WHO INSPIRED THIS FEATURE:

*Whammo thanks these crazy, lovable Darren Hayes fans, who demanded an interview:

Laura X, Angela D, Anja from Denmark, Annabelle, The Wicked Saturn, Christalla Pavli, Cindy and Nicole Marie Wright.

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