Sonic Shocks
Darren Hayes Interview
Dan Balchin
Sonic Shocks recently had the opportunity to catch up with the one and only Darren Hayes. Perhaps best known for his work with Savage Garden, but now stands proud as a truly magnificent solo artist. His new album ‘Secret Codes and Battleships’ will be coming very soon! Check out DarrenHayes.com for more info….
Darren: Dan, its Darren
Sonic Shocks: How are you Darren?
Darren: So sorry we’re late. I’d love to blame somebody else, but it’s just because I won’t shut up. But now I won’t shut up for you (laughs)
Sonic Shocks: To be honest, only the most interesting people ever run over don’t they…
Darren: That’s such a nice thing to say
Sonic Shocks: Had you been on time, I would have been concerned
Darren: (laughs)
Sonic Shocks: Now, I’d like to start chronologically and discuss pre-music careers, is that ok?
Darren: Go for it!
Sonic Shocks: Is it correct that you were a pre-school teacher? And did a bit of journalism?
Darren: True and true, yeah. Truthfully, I was always going to be a signer. I was singing from about the age five. I feel like I was really meant to do this and I went through all those clichés musicians and artists talk about. They always talk about being leads in musicals, I was a theatrical kid and I was directing my own version of Michael Jackson’s Thriller when I was six. I was always that person winning theatre bursaries and got sent off to theatre camps and the such like. My teachers were very supportive and nurturing and said that’s what I would end up doing. My father on the other hand was not very supportive at all and because I did quite well at school and always got good grades, he was mortified when I wanted to go off and get into performance. So, it was kind of one of those things where I went to university to please my old man. In the meantime I was in bands and that was eventually how I met Daniel Jones, the other guy in Savage Garden. But when we did eventually get a record deal, I was still at University studying. I did a semester of journalism and then quit because you had to do a grammar test and I found that pretty dull (laughs). So I auditioned to be an actor and go to this theatre course. Something like six people only could get in, for a year. My father told me that if I did it, I’d end up in the gutter. So, cutting a long story short, I did a teaching course to shut him up.
Sonic Shocks: Right, ok. Then you proved him wrong…
Darren: Well yeah. The thing is, I never really finished that degree because I left to make an album. The trouble was, it sat on the shelf for about a year and I had to crawl back to Brisbane and because I had done three years at University, it qualified me to a substitute teacher. So I did that for a year. I was a kindergarten teacher for a year whilst the album sat on the shelf.
Sonic Shocks: What is really interesting, at least to me, is that I do music journalism, as well as some work as an early year’s teacher. I feel like I’m the next Darren Hayes, what do you think?
Darren: I tell you what; it’s a nice day when you go into work. I had a six month contract and I went into school to see my kids and even though I was more of a musical clown than a teacher, I loved it. I actually quit my job the day all the kids came in and said ‘I saw your music video on TV’. I thought to myself ‘success, success’. I adore kids and I feel pretty passionately about education and that we don’t pay teachers enough money. I think that if you want to change the world, give a child a great start in education and a hero to believe in. All my hero’s were teachers. My music teacher especially, but all of my hero’s were teachers.
Sonic Shocks: Obviously, I may need to knock on your door for a few vocal lessons first if you don’t mind? Of course, I don’t want you to feel that I will be a huge threat to your career.
Darren: (laughs) You’re probably a better teacher though!
Sonic Shocks: You responded to an ad in a local paper for a lead singer to join Savage Garden. Is that still a place where musicians find each other or has the internet taken that aspect away?
Darren: You know what; I think it has just changed. I don’t know what musicians use now, maybe MySpace or Facebook. It’s the public side of music. I do think that if you look at artists like Claire Maguire. She began by promoting herself on MySpace and approaching producers. In some ways I suppose it makes it easier, but you are right, as people now bombard everybody. It all becomes a little bit like a hard sell. Back then it was like putting a message in a bottle. I read this one ‘wanted’ ad and it was like a scene from a movie. It was the first audition I ever went to for a band and truthfully, we were a terrible band. First of all they sort of fibbed to me, as they said they were on the verge of signing a major publishing contract and all they needed was a lead singer. The publishing contract of course never materialised and we became a pretty dodgy covers band called Red Edge. But, Daniel Jones was one of those members and we connected. We had the same ambitions and we formed a bit of a mutiny and left to make our own team, I guess.
Sonic Shocks: I am a firm believer in everything happening for a reason. It all seemed to come together.
Darren: I think you’re right. At that time, it was quite magical for me. It was the same feeling you might have when you propose to somebody. Having your life flash before your eyes (laughs). When I left my first audition, my whole world changed in a nano second. It was terrifying, but I knew.
Sonic Shocks: I must also thank you actually because the song ‘Truly Madly Deeply’ and my ability to recite the lyrics to ‘I Want You’ without reading them secured me my first girlfriend. Presumably fans from all over the world tell you how certain songs have affected them, or indeed saved them from life situations – is that a describable feeling?
Darren: It is an incredible honour and it is very humbling. It is very hard actually to respond to that, because I am a fan, just like you them. It is very difficult to accept that honour without coming off as egotistical. What I try to do instead is take it as a reassurance that I am doing something right. Music has a special place for all of us. It’s one of those things like scent memory, like if you smell a perfume or something cooking in the kitchen, it transports you back to a moment in time. Very few things have that apart from music. Music can make you burst into tears, it can make you stand up for something you believe in, it can release tension and help you get a girlfriend (laughs) or get over a break up. To be invited into people’s lives in that way is truly an incredible honour. I think the only way to understand how to do that is to not try. All of those records that people have a connection to, I had a connection first. I wrote them truthfully, for me. That kind of sincerity is something we should demand from our music. Of course, sometimes I fail miserably, but that is where I start from, for me.
Sonic Shocks: So, during the interim period between Savage Garden and stepping forward as a solo artist, did you used to write music for so called ‘popstars’ coming off of various TV ‘talent’ shows?
Darren: I’ve never tried to do that until recently. I actually did it to get my toe back into the water. I signed a deal with Sony ATV and was introduced to different writers, who I would never have met otherwise. It was actually Simon Cowell’s label Syco who said ‘we really love your song writing. Would you like to write for other people?’ Now, what that process showed me that I am an artist. However, I do find it really difficult to give my songs up adoption. I now know instantly when I write a song, if it is for me, or someone else. I’ve yet to have success with other people having hits with my records actually and I suspect it is because I have such difficulty in letting my songs go. I pour so much of myself into my demos and the feedback I often get is ‘this is such a beautiful song. It sounds like a Darren Hayes song’. Sometimes I hit notes and sing in such a way that not everybody can sing it that way. I don’t think that my songs are the easiest to cover for other people really. They are very uniquely me.
Sonic Shocks: I suppose it is similar to when Movie scripts are written and it’s often suggested that certain parts were perfect for specific actors or actresses. Of course, where music is concerned, I imagine you, as a writer understands the mood, tone and feeling behind the lyrics.
Darren: Yeah, but it was a great process, because I met a lot of people I worked on the album with. I remember calling up my management company and saying (whispers) I’ve written this great pop song, do you think this is my sound? Am I crazy? And they responded by saying ‘We think you’re crazy for doubting it!’ It was a really great confidence booster for me.
Sonic Shocks: Now, you’ve flirted with releases over the past few years, but are you calling ‘Secret Codes and Battleships’ the official ‘return’ to pop music?
Darren: I think everyone is. I haven’t said that myself, because I think that’s a lot of pressure. What I can say is that this is a proper, ambitious pop album. It is me certainly rolling up my sleeves. I started off with the opportunity to write some very accessible records, records that belonged on the radio and made sense. None of it was by design and that was what I was I tended to good at. I had enjoyed make less commercial and more experimental records for various records. But truthfully, I’ve always had a fear of trying to succeed. It’s kind of easy to be strange, because you can break all the rules. Now, with this album it’s different. One thing I can never be accused of is repeating myself. My hair is never the same; my music is never the same. This is like a master class of everything I have learned over the years. It reminds me of the first Savage Garden album, because of the scope and how disciplined I was in writing songs that might have the opportunity to survive one hundred years. If I’ve written on of those in my career, then I’ve won. I think one of those is ‘Truly, Madly, Deeply’ and I think of those might exist on this record.
Sonic Shocks: Yes, I am hopeful that one of those songs can secure me another girlfriend once again.
Darren: (laughs) You know, if I can’t on this record, then the order has been placed. I’ve sent it off to head office and we’ll see what we can do for you.
Sonic Shocks: (laughs)
Sonic Shocks: Being a Star Wars fan, you must surely link some Darren Hayes based Battleship merchandise out of this?
Darren: That is a really good question actually. Wow, you know what I might do. If you look at my website, we’ve just revealed the album cover. It has taken a year to make this cover and it has been inspired by a lot of things, like Fleetwood Mac, Sgt. Peppers, Dangerous by Michael Jackson. It is completely flooded with imagery. I guess I look like a knight in the middle. But, perhaps there is a fan out there who can recreate it with a Star Wars theme?
Sonic Shocks: I think that would be incredible
Darren: (laughs)
Sonic Shocks: How about Darren Hayes written in the Star Wars font, you in some kind of suit. That would be perfect. Maybe even adapt it for a stage show? You can have that one on me, that’s ok.
Darren: (laughs) Any chance I get to stick Star Wars into my career, I’ve done it. If you look at my stage or pictures, they’re always a bit Jedi like. But that’s between you and I, right? (laughs)
Sonic Shocks: I’ll keep this quiet, don’t worry.
Sonic Shocks: You’re doing a ‘secret tour’ in Australia, even though it’s not as secret as the name might suggest. Are you doing anything equally secretive in the UK?
Darren: Yes, there are four dates in the UK this October. London, Liverpool, Birmingham and Glasgow. I’m working once again with Willie Williams – the designer for U2. He’s done all of my tours actually. It’s a small, intimate tour and it’s meant to be a development, to see how the songs sound live and future ideas. Then I’m back off to Australia before coming back to do a New Year’s show in Manchester.
Sonic Shocks: Something a little off-topic, do you believe in being with the one you love on New Years? Will he be there?
Darren: I don’t think it matters to be honest. I am usually doing a show New Years Eve actually. I absolutely hate New Years Eve and the only time I have a good one is when I am doing a show and I’m with my fans. We do it every two years and we have a blast. It’s just a blast. I like to start the New Year fresh faced and not hungover, but I’m not really a fan of New Years. Actually, I’m not really a fan of Valentine’s Day either, or any day that Hallmark tells me I should buy cards for the occasion.
Sonic Shocks: To wrap up what has been a fantastic chat, please explain why you have chosen the UK as your home rather than sunny, cheerful, upbeat, spacious Australia?
Darren: Love. I came here to work on the record in 2004 and then Richard (my partner) and I have just celebrated our fifth anniversary of our civil partnership and along with getting the world’s greatest guy, I also got a British passport. We just hop between Australia and the UK. Obviously I’m based here and our dog is here. Until we depart for heavenly pastures (laughs), I couldn’t even imagine leaving him, my dog I’m talking about. So, yeah, you know what. I’ve always been nomadic and I think Australian’s are nomadic. We are born with a backpack grafted to our backs and we like to explore. I go home so much, I’m lucky. If you look at my skin and you look at the cover of my album, I’m certainly not a bronzed Aussie. Your weather suits me just right.
Sonic Shocks: I am glad you are the only person in the country who loves our weather (laughs)
Darren: You always want what you can’t have. We have two seasons in Australia, hot or not. What is great here, as an artist you just never know what another day might bring. I love it when the leaves turn and when the first chill of Winter comes. I love it when the first flowers of Spring come up. See, I didn’t have any of that as a kid growing up. Perhaps I’m still in the honeymoon phase (laughs). Ask me again in a couple of years and see if I still feel the same.
Sonic Shocks: I think you should apply to read the weather, because with those kinds of phrases, people would be a lot more upbeat listening to it. So, if it doesn’t work out with music, head over to the BBC and secure yourselves a slot.
Darren: (laughs) Maybe I will if it doesn’t pan out!
Sonic Shocks: Darren, it has been a real pleasure and thank you for taking the time to speak with me today.
Darren:Thank you for the smart questions, it really makes or breaks us. You’ve been lovely.
Sonic Shocks: Best of luck with the album. I know it’s going to bring you back and I look forward to seeing you live with some kind of Battleship arrangement.
Darren: (laughs) Just you wait!