As one half of Savage Garden, Darren Hayes created some of the world’s most iconic pop songs. Tracks like “Truly, Madly, Deeply,” “I Knew I Loved You”, and “To The Moon and Back” are the ones that are encouraging people to buy those tickets to his upcoming shows. While those tracks sold truckloads, many of his solo singles failed to chart. However, it’d be a mistake to think Darren’s best music is behind him. In fact, his new single “Poison Blood”, may be his best solo effort. Its stripped-back sound ensures we can hear every intimate lyric and the quality of Darren’s trademark falsetto.
“’Poison Blood’ is a song about choosing to stay when everything else in your life is telling you to leave. I have a family history of depression and suicide and I talk openly about my own diagnosis it in the hope that I might inspire someone who is struggling to seek help, as I have proudly done many times throughout my life,” he explained. “I describe my depression as a blessing, a gift, and a curse all at once. I wouldn’t wish it upon my worst enemy and yet I’m aware I am a deeply sensitive person, and that my unique brain allows me to feel depths of emotions that many people don’t experience. So I have learned to use those moments to channel melodies and stories that I hope are so real and so relatable they might reach someone else who is in pain, like me, and remind them to stay, like I choose to, every single day.”
Darren will play his first Australian shows in more than a decade next year. No doubt the fans will scream for those Savage Garden hits, but I hope this special song gets a warm reception. Tickets are available now for the following shows:
Darren Hayes is coming home to record a brand new album. He will return to next month after signing a new deal with Sony/ATV Publishing, which includes the rights to the entire Savage Garden back catalogue and future solo works.
“When the catalogue was sold to Sony ATV Australia I was assured that the songs had found a great new home and now that I’ve spent time working with the Australian and UK team, I am certain they have,” he explained. “It’s a great period in my life and career and I feel encouraged and flattered that Sony ATV have shown such commitment to my future solo material.”
It’s been a while since we’ve heard a new Darren Hayes, but he certainly hasn’t been sitting idly. Instead, he’s become one with the most sought after songwriters in the UK after working with Universal, Parlophone and Syco (Simon Cowell’s label) on tracks for their artists. Now he’s back doing his own thing, and after songwriting with the the likes of Phil Thornally (Pixie Lott, Natalie Imbruglia), Brian West (Nelly Furtado), and Rami (Britney Spears, Pink) he’s coming home to lay some tracks down.
“I’m so excited that I’ll be able to come home to Australia and record some of my new music there and involve some familiar talent on my record that I haven’t worked with since the debut Savage Garden album. I’m keen to get this new album finished and get out on the road in Australia and say thank you to everyone who has stood by me over the years.”
As one of those early Savage Garden fans, I’m pretty keen to hear it!
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi Oi Oi! It was all about patriotism on Australian Idol tonight as our newest talents paid tribute to our local legends. This week’s guest mentor was one of our finest, ex-Savage Garden frontman Darren Hayes.
Thanh Bui kicked it off with John Farnham’s “You’re the Voice.” I’ve always thought Thanh sounded a lot like Farnsy, and I thought this would be a great track to help him break away from the boy band mould. In the verses I felt like he didn’t quite sing with the authority the song called for, but in the choruses he soared. He’s got so much potential, and I just hope he gets the time on the show to realise all of it.
If they were still handing out touchdowns on Idol, Chrislyn Hamilton would have scored another with her take on Tina Arena’s “Chains.” As everyone else seemed to, I had my reservations about this one. I felt like she just hadn’t lived enough to perform this song effectively. Boy was I wrong. I got chills and a little teary watching her. She committed to this 100% and gave it her all. Wow and double wow.
Tom Williams came out next with Evermore’s “Light Surrounding You.” I will say this: it was better than last week. Having said that, I still hated it. It was just so boring. While there were some nice notes in there, there were also some clangers. I wasn’t engaged in any way, shape, or form. It all just operated on one level and I was glad when it finished so we could get on with the show.
I’m not quite sure what it is about Teale Jakubenko. When he stands behind a microphone I am so engaged, but then he steps away from it and he loses me a bit. Maybe he starts to think too much about performing rather than actually doing it. And I really don’t think the song helped him either. It’s a fantastic song, but one that spends a lot of time operating on one level. Personally I felt dropping to his knees at the end was complete cheese. But like Thanh, he’s really growing and that’s exciting. His voice especially is only getting stronger.
I’ve been saying all week that I really hoped one of our soul girls tackled Renee Geyer’s “Heading in the Right Direction.” I’m glad the one who did was Roshani Priddis. I loved what she did with it, the way she slowed it down and stripped it back and let the lyrics really shine. I was captivated from start to finish and I believed every word she sang.
Wes Carr rocked the pants off The Easybeats’ “Friday on my Mind.” Every week he just delivers a solid, confident performance and it’s a joy to watch. It looks like Wes enjoyed performing this one as much as I enjoyed watching it!
I was going to be disappointed if Luke Dickens didn’t bring out a little Barnesy. I was pleasantly surprised that the number he chose was Cold Chisel’s “Flame Trees.” It’s such a beautiful song, and I think Luke did it justice. To think that he went from being so sick he couldn’t talk to singing this well is phenomenal.
Sophie Paterson is back! I think that having Darren Hayes as a mentor couldn’t have come at a better time because he brought back the vulnerable quirky girl that we all originally fell for. I’m not a fan of “Don’t Hold Back” by The Potbelleez, but I loved this stripped back ballad version. I agree with Darren: if she’d done it up tempo I would have hated it. Instead I was mesmerised from start to finish, for not the first time tonight!
Mark Spano busted out a little more John Farnham: this time “Age of Reason.” In an Australian hit show too much Farnsy is never enough. It was good, but not great and I can’t exactly put my finger on the reason why. He sang well, he performed well, but ultimately it was forgettable. I’m still a fan, but with so many great people in the comp he really needs to lift his game.
Madam Parker closed the show with The Veronicas’ “Hook Me Up.’ It just didn’t work. The vocals were shaky and she just looked a bit lost out there. Even if she had nailed the vocals this isn’t really one of those songs that allows you to show off. It’s all about attitude, and Madam just didn’t bring any. I guess I admire her trying to step out of her comfort zone, but I also wonder whether she just didn’t have enough knowledge of Aussie music to pick the right song.
I’m almost ready to give away picking who’s going because I never seem to get it right! Again, I really think Tom’s time is up but I know to never underestimate the power of those squealing kiddies. Given that I think perhaps Teale or Thanh’s time might be up.
I loved the celebrity guest judges in American Idol a few years back, so I’m thrilled to read Australia’s doing something similar this year. But while America saved the big guns for the top 12, we’re bringing Darren Hayes and Tina Arena in for the auditions. The pop megastars will join Dicko and James Matheson for the upcoming London audition.
“As an Australian entertainer living in London I definitely have a soft spot for Aussies trying to make it overseas,” Darren Hayes told The Daily Telegraph.
“Rather than judging people, I’m going to be looking for that little bit of magic that someone once saw in me. I think potential is a huge criteria for a musical career and hopefully Tina and I can help discover some.”
There are so many Aussies living in London so I can’t wait to see who they unearth over there. And how refreshing to have an audition without nasty judge Kyle Sandilands!
Some of Australia’s top musicians have been recognised as some of the most influential members of the local gay and lesbian community. They are part of the Same Same 25, a list of iconic Australian gays and lesbians.
Darren Hayes made his name as one half of pop group Savage Garden. When the band dissolved in 2001, Darren set upon creating a more honest public persona. He came out in 2006, after marrying his partner Richard Cullen, and since then has spoken openly about his sexuality. He headlined the London Gay Pride event at Trafalgar Square in June.
iOTA began his career as a rock musician, but lately he’s better known for his gender-bending roles in musical theatre. He won a Helpmann award for his starring role in Hedwig and the Angry Inch this year, and will play Dr Frank N Furter in a 2008 production of The Rocky Horror Show.
“I never really ever thought of myself as a role model,” iOTA told Same Same. “Since hearing about this I’ve really sat and wondered why someone would see me as influential. Perhaps it’s because I’ve done good things? I’ve always thought that I was more of a bad influence than anything!”
You may not know his name, but I bet you’ve heard the music of David Page. He’s written pieces for the ABC, SBS, a range of short films, the Bangarra Dance Theatre, The Australian Ballet, the Sydney Olympics, and the Melbourne Commonwealth Games! With such an impressive résumé, you’d expect David to be a role model to many but he’s humble about his inclusion in the Same Same list.
“Well, you don’t usually think of being in that position when you’re just doing what you’re doing,” he told Same Same. “I love my work, I love what I do.”
Members of the public can visit the Same Same website to vote for their favourite members of the top 25.
Darren admitted he argued with a member of staff at the Busaba Eathai restaurant, but denied the row had a racist element.
“I could never think, let alone utter a racist remark,” Darren said on his website.
“As a gay man, I find the notion of discriminating against a human being because of race, gender or sexuality to be abhorrent. It goes against everything I have stood for.”
He added that “any notion of racism had been ruled out” by police, but according to the BBC a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police would not confirm this.
Last week he was sounding off about John Howard’s stance on homosexual rights. This week Darren Hayes’ mouth has found him behind bars. The former Savage Garden frontman was arrested after hurling racist barbs at a waiter in a London Thai restaurant.
“We can confirm that a 35-year-old man was arrested by Westminster police on suspicion of racially abusing a member of staff,” a Scotland Yard spokesman said.
“He was arrested after voluntarily attending a Central London police station by appointment. He has been released on bail pending further enquiries, until the 21st of September.”
However, according to Darren’s solicitor the claims are untrue.
“He is deeply upset at the allegation which he strenuously denies and anyone who knows Darren will recognise that the particular nature of the allegation is totally abhorrent to him and contrary to everything for which he has stood,” reads a post on Darren’s official website.
I must admit, the softly spoken singer spends so much time fighting for equality that racial attacks seem very out of character. Yet the manager of the Busaba Eathai restaurant in Soho is sticking to his story. I guess we’ll just have to wait until the case goes to trial to get to the bottom of it.
After marrying his British beau Richard Cullen last year, former Savage Garden frontman Darren Hayes has a few opinions about gay marriage. He took time out from spruiking his latest solo release to slam Aussie prime minister John Howard’s stance on the issue.
Darren’s annoyed because his partner has to travel to Australia on a tourist visa, which allows him to stay a maximum of three months, as he is ineligible to gain a partner visa.
“It makes me angry and frustrated,” he told The Herald Sun. “I’m Australian and the way the law sits I can’t bring my partner home as my partner. That to me is an infringement of my civil rights – a very un-Australian thing.
“I would never have voted for John Howard and I encourage people not to. I don’t think he speaks for this country in the same way I don’t think George Bush speaks for the US.”
Darren Hayes is set to release his third solo record, This Delicate Thing We’ve Made, in August.
Darren stormed up the international charts as the frontman of power-pop duo Savage Garden. However, his solo career to date has been lacklustre.
Perhaps the new album will fare better, as industry insiders say the new disc features unique electronic pop arrangements, which perfectly showcase his angelic vocals.
Eager fans can make up their own minds and preview film clips for two album tracks, “Who Would Have Thought?” and “Step Into the Light,” at Darren’s official website.
Darren is expected to tour Australia in spring to support the release.
This Delicate Thing We’ve Made will be released in Australia on August 20 through Darren’s Powdered Sugar label.
