LIME: You've been part of
Savage Garden for such a long time. Now that you're on your own, do you ever miss ex
bandmate Daniel Jones?
DARREN: (laughs) No. I'm really proud of what I'm doing at the moment I want
new challenges. We were very close business-wise and had an amazing musical collaboration.
But it's been no secret that we were very, very different people.LIME: Did being half of Savage Garden make it easier
or harder to strike it out on your own?
Darren: We sold 20 million records, so I'm sure that helped me get a solid deal and made
people pay interest to what I was initially. The reality is that people knew Savage Garden
but not the name, Darren Hayes. I knew it would be like starting over as a new artist.
LIME: Were people’s expectations of
you higher?
DARREN: Yeah, though in some ways the expectations are lower because the song would be on
the radio and the deejay would say my name and add “from Savage Garden”. I think
it allowed me a little more time to do things in my own way.
LIME: Did recording Spin liberate you?
DARREN: Absolutely. I got to access other parts of my voice and make music closer to the
stuff I listen to. For a long time, I was very, very proud of Savage Garden, but I would
often say, you know, would I buy on of these records and I didn’t know. At the
moment, I’m starting to make music that is much more me.
LIME: You didn’t use any live
instruments in Spin but depended on machines. You even said, “it’s a challenge
to inject soul into machines”. In this age where rock bands rule, is this a wise
decision?
DARREN: I don’t know if rock bands rule. There has definitely been a revived interest
in rock ‘n’ roll, but at the same time you will always have artists like Madonna
who, to my knowledge, isn’t making a death metal record. So I always think there will
be a place for pop music. I wanted to make a record that reflected what I listen to, to
experiment, because I am by nature quite organic. So to put me in a situation where I had
to be a little uncomfortable with machines and electronics was a great challenge. Because
it took me out of my safety zone into somewhere I’ll either sink or swim.
LIME: Is the change in hair colour also
part of your new direction?
DARREN: No, I didn’t even think about it, there was no deep psychoanalysis involved
in that. (Dryly) I’m 30, I used to dye my hair black, I don’t
anymore.
LIME: You have a song called ‘Dirty’
that sounds very sexual. Do you think you’re sexy?
DARREN: I think everyone’s sexy. When someone’s truly sexy, it’s when they
feel confident and good about themselves. I’ve never been attracted to whatever a
cliché is – whatever a beauty magazine says is perfect. I find that boring. I think
I’m attracted to flaws or character.
LIME: A critic commented that Spin
corrected a lot of Michael Jackson’s wrongs in Invincible. How does it feel to be compared to your childhood
pop idol?
DARREN: It’s a compliment. He was an influence when I was a child, so was Madonna. It
has less to do with the sound of their music and more about their ambition and energy.
They are very inspiring. You can say what you want about Michael Jackson, but as a soul
singer, he’s incredible.
LIME: Are you a perfectionist?
DARREN: I don’t think so. I’ve said I was in the past, but to say you are a
perfectionist implies self-imprisonment. You don’t want anything to be wrong, but at
the same time you deny some spontaneity. No. I’m ambitious and I definitely have high
standards. But I’m proud of what I do. So if something is my personal best, I’m
fine.
LIME: Are you demanding in love?
DARREN: Yes, I’m sure I am. That’s a loaded question ‘cos if you respect
yourself, you expect a lot. I give a lot and I expect the same.
LIME: On your website, you gushed about
Kylie Minogue being “adorable”. Is she dateable?
DARREN: I don’t see Kylie in that way and she certainly doesn’t see me in that
way. She’s a friend. I hang out with her. to be honest, I actually get nervous around
Kylie. There’s something about her that makes me blush.
LIME: What’s your biggest vice?
DARREN: Carbohydrates. I want to eat too much but I try not to. I always balance it out.
But you know, if I’m gonna be particular about something, it’s never quite
alcohol or anything like that, it’s a doughnut!
LIME: Where are you based now?
DARREN: Right now I’m based in an airplane. But all my stuff is in San Francisco.
LIME: Are you a neat freak or is your
wardrobe on the floor?
DARREN: I throw everything all over the place, even in the hotel. I love walking into the
room and just pish… (imitates
dumping stuff on the floor). I love it
that you can throw your towel down and someone else will pick it up.
LIME: That’s disgusting!
DARREN: (Laughs) I’m helping the community, creating a job.
Spin is in stores |