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Is there life after SG? You bet! Solo
life is working out well for singer Darren Hayes, who’s just released the album Spin.
I – How’s the transition been from band member to solo performer?
D – Really natural. Savage Garden was 2 albums in a career and this is a third. But
business things are different. I have to deal with the accountant and all that stuff I
hate. That’s been the biggest change, realising that Daniel dealt with all of the
business side for us.
I – Have you wanted this all along?
D – I want to write songs, I want to perform. But in terms of designing my
‘solo’ career, it wasn’t ever my evil plan to take over the world then be
alone – its just the way it is.
I – Has Daniel heard Spin?
D – Yes. He said the first time he heard Insatiable he got chills. He thinks its
pretty cool.
I – Did you have a fear of failure?
D – Not at the time, but maybe a few weeks ago when the album came out! But it went
gold in it first week, so I was happy. All you can do is make music and do it well. The
rest of it is just fashion, and people are fickle, radio’s fickle – you’ve
just got to let that go because it would drive you insane.
I – You say that Spin is a ‘sexy’ record – is that where your life is
at now?
D – I keep using the word ‘fun’ – I’m up for a bit of fun. I
didn’t have that crazy period from 18 on to party, I became part of the industry very
quickly and I was working so hard. This was my first vacation, so I wanted the music to
reflect that. I wanted a romantic, sexy record. But musicians take themselves way to
seriously. I’m not curing cancer – I’m just the court jester, a clown.
I – So much has been written about your hair – you’ve had it chopped and
its back to its natural colour. Did it surprise you that people care?
D – I think its hilarious. I’m having fun with it – I’m going to lie
about it. I am going to say that I’m changing my hair all the time because of my
roles in the new Matrix and Star Wars films. But I’m not Madonna! The reality is, I
just get bored.
I – There’s a big 80’s influence on the album. What was your worst 1980s
fashion nightmare?
D – There were so many! Probably a certain ARIA outfit I wore in the 1990’s was
my worst 80’s fashion nightmare!
I – You turn 30 next month. Does that scare you?
D – No, I cant wait! I feel like I’ve been 30 for 10 years. I exchanged my
adolescence for this career and surrounded myself with people who were older and wiser.
Now I feel I’m fitting my skin. In terms of what I look like, I’ve let go of a
lot of stuff. Yoga has helped me with that. I feel like a man now. And I’m happy
there are a few wrinkles.
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