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The former Savage Garden star speaks exclusively to OK! About his solo career.
Two years have passed since the break-up of Savage Garden and now lead singer Darren Hayes is back on the music scene. After moving from his native Australia San Francisco, Darren has been working on his solo career with top producer Walter Afansieff, the talent behind such stars as Mariah Carey, Lionel Ritchie and Celine Dion. Spin is Darren’s solo album and his first single release, insatiable, reached the top ten in the UK.
-Darren, why did Savage Garden split up when the band were doing so well?
I think Daniel [Jones] just got bored. We just wanted to do different things and Daniel didn’t want to be a pop star, simple as that. It was stressful in many ways. I was pulling in one direction and Daniel in the other. Although there were never any fights we both felt as though we were being compromised. I had I had to take on so much of the public persona, workload and promoting the band and I think he felt guilty about that.
-Do you have plans to work together again?
I don’t think so. It took so much courage for me to make this solo album. There were so many hurdles to get over- I was questioning my ability as a producer and my artistry. Once I learned to be in control of my own career, I couldn’t imagine going back.
-It must be liberating being a solo artist…
When you’re in a band, you have to compromise because there are other people to consider. Being on my own, I really got chance to explore the music I was listening to when I was young-I was raised on soul music and my album really reflects this. I think the album’s more fun and I don’t think I take life or my music as seriously anymore.
-In the past you’ve said you became a rock star because you wanted the world to hug you. Do you still feel like that now?
I’m 30 now and I think I said that when I was 17! I think there is a sense of insecurity to begin with for most artists. Everyone is hiding something, I really do believe that. I had a tough time growing up. I came from a poor family in a suburban neighbourhood and it really wasn’t cool to be me. But when I was onstage in high school as the lead singer in a play I became invincible. Being an entertainer is like being Clark Kent-when you’re onstage you become superman.
-How do you feel about your life now?
I’m at a period in my life when I realise I have the greatest job in the world. Complete strangers come up to me and say they love me. I’m the happiest I’ve been in my whole life.
-So do you feel there’s anything missing?
Children. My brother and sister are married with kids and they’re such a huge part of my life. As a man I suppose I have the luxury of waiting without the worry of a biological clock ticking.
-You talk about settling down, so why did you move to San Francisco?
Originally I moved to New York about 5 years ago and rented an apartment over there. It’s a big city and I was very lonely and miserable. Then I met Walter Afansieff, the producer, and we flew to San Francisco and something magical happened. Nobody really knows who I am- I’ll hear my songs on the radio in a store and nobody notices me, not like in Australia. So I get to just hang around in my track pants, do yoga and have a normal life. It’s an even balance.
-What’s the best thing about touring?
The audience. It’s great to finally meet the people who buy my records. I couldn’t’[t do this job-all the interviews and photo shoots- if I didn’t think there would be a stage to go to at the end of the day. Writing songs and performing them onstage is like oxygen to me. I need the crowd and I feed off their energy. Some artists may say ‘That’s a tough crowd’, but I don’t think there are tough crowds. Everyone who buys a ticket with their hard-earned cash is there to be entertained and that’s an artist’s challenge.
-How well do you think British fans have taken to you as a solo artist?
You’ve blown me away! I truly admitted the transition from savage garden to a solo artist to be a struggle. It has been in terms of workload, but the response from British fans has been fantastic!
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