Darren Hayes Depot

Darren Hayes is scheduled to perform “Talk, Talk, Talk” and “something from the past” on Australia’s Dancing with the Stars on July 10, 2011.

Interview: Darren Hayes
So Gay Magazine
Gerard
June 30, 2011

In the midst of his Australian promotional tour, singer-songwriter and all-round musical connoisseur Darren Hayes found a few minutes to answer some of our questions regarding his new single, Talk,Talk, Talk and the launch of his fourth solo studio album.

Hayes is evidently quite proud of his new single. ‘It’s just a great introduction to a new era and a new sound. I think it’s probably the most instant song on the record and a great beginning but I think the album in general has many more layers. It’s a cinematic sound and has pretty heavy lyrics, and the fact that this single in particular is wrapped up in Swedish synth pop is a little misleading really. But I love that – because it brings you in’.

When I suggest that Hayes’ last album was ‘quite dark’ he is keen to set the record straight. ‘I think my last album was naive, euphoric and magical actually. My album The Tension and the Spark – now THAT was dark. This new record is a combination of the two really. It’s a collection of songs about how hard it is to stay together in a world where it feels like everyone is breaking up. It’s hopeful and it’s colourful but it’s also really heavy at times. I’m insanely proud of it because it’s taken four years of blood, sweat and tears.’

For his new album Hayes teamed up with Carl Falk, the Swedish composer, producer, songwriter and musician who has been linked to numerous successful acts including Boyzone, Backstreet Boys, Nicole Scherzinger and Westlife. ‘I’ve also collaborated on this album with some other very successful people too,’ Hayes adds, ‘including Robert Orton, who mixed the Lady GaGa ‘Monster’ album, for example, and Steve Robson who’s also worked with Take That. There are also new names like Justin Shave and Robert Conley, writers and producers form Australia who are becoming even more well known. I have never been a name dropper and I don’t necessarily care what someone has done when I’m writing with them. At the end of the day it’s about the songs. I think they’re really sincere and heartfelt and that’s what shines through’.

Hayes’ Time Machine tour, for those that saw it, was an incredible theatrical feast. Hayes promises something special for this tour too. ‘I worked with tour director and show designer Willie Williams (U2) on the Time Machine – in fact all my tours, actually. So you can expect something unique for sure. It won’t be the same scale. I want to start off smaller this time round with some dates in the UK and Australia in October and November, and then expand the tour to something larger for 2012’.

Having fought to maintain a place in the ever-changing music industry has taught Hayes a great deal about himself and his music. He acknowledges that over the last eighteen years he has had to compete with reality TV shows and MTV, who seem to be launching new artists at an incredible pace. ‘I think it’s important to have your own stance and feel confident in your sound without trying to keep up,’ he says. ‘Being relevant is about surviving trends. In some periods of my career I’ve been played on the radio non-stop; other times I’ve had barely any mention. I’ve always maintained a steady course and stayed true. That’s what being a career artist is about for me’.

In June 2006 Hayes married his long-term partner Richard Cullen in London, and the following day came out to his fans via his website. Hayes feels the gay community has been particularly supportive since he opened up to his fans and the world. ‘I’ve had nothing but overwhelming support. I think I am lucky that I got to come to terms with who I was in my private life before announcing it to the world. I found my soul mate and I was happy to let the world in. It’s all beautiful.’

Originally from Brisbane, in the north of Australia, Hayes has lived in London for the last seven years. Despite feeling ‘at home’ here in London, he does still miss his native homeland. ‘I miss Australia a lot – mostly my family. Luckily we travel home a lot and my partner loves Brisbane. England was never in my plans. It, along with love and marriage, happened upon me and I have just gone with the flow. I like to think I live between two amazing countries and I’m lucky I have a job that lets me travel so much between them’.

Darren Hayes’ new single Talk, Talk, Talk is available now via iTunes.

Darren Hayes’ appearance on The 7pm Project in Australia:

Darren Hayes’ appearance on The Today Show in Australia:

“Talk, Talk, Talk,” the first single from Darren Hayes’ upcoming album, Secret Codes and Battleships is available now via iTunes.

Away from the spotlight for 4 years, Darren has emerged with a new sound. The first taste of which is the single co-written with and produced by Carl Falk in Sweden, mixed by Robert Orton in London, and mastered by Bob Ludwig in Vermont. A song that Darren describes as “peace talks between two lovers at war,” “Talk Talk Talk” is a slice of glorious synth-laden modern pop with swirling live strings and heartfelt lyrics.

The single also features a b-side, Darren’s cover version of the classic Madonna song “Angel.” In addition to the digital release, Darren has also produced a limited edition of 1000 hand numbered purple vinyl 7-inch singles in a beautifully designed laser cut cardboard sleeve designed by album artwork artist John Gilsenan. The 7-inch features a vinyl only acoustic version of “Talk Talk Talk (Live in the Attic)” recorded in Darren’s home studio specifically for the vinyl only release. This 7-inch single will be released exclusively via DarrenHayes.com on July 31. It will be available for pre-order to Delicacy Members on July 1 and the general public on July 3.

Darren Hayes’ has revealed the title to his upcoming fourth album: Secret Codes and Battleships.

He wrote on his facebook page:

Thanks to everyone who was playing along with the codes, riddles and puzzles because YOU worked out the title and you’ve revealed it for the rest of us. It’s called ‘Secret Codes And Battleships’ from a lyric on the album that goes like this…

‘And I want to run away from this
but I’d never leave a sinking ship
Without you in it there’s no point to our story.
And I can’t believe it’s come to this
All our secret codes and battleships
Without you in it there’s no point to our story’

It’s an album about how hard it is to hold on to love when the whole world is breaking up.
An album about feeling lost at a crossroads with only your heart to navigate the way.

On Friday the 24th the first single ‘Talk Talk Talk’ will make its way to you.
And it begins.
x

Darren Hayes released the lyrics to “Talk, Talk, Talk” via his Facebook page.

I know you keep your silence.
I know that secret better than you.
Sometimes all the matters of the heart
are the chaos and the cowardice that keep us apart.
I know you want to shut down.
I know you think we’re better alone.
Sometimes all the words are unsaid
but you listen to them argue every night in your head.

Just breathe in and out.
Because all I want to do is just talk talk talk to you.
Please hear me out.
Because all I want to do is just talk talk talk to you.

I know that you’ve been pushed down.
I know you think we’re better as two.
Sometimes well the miracle of love is meaningless
and clumsy like the beating of a heart.

Just breathe in and out.
Because all I want to do is just talk talk talk to you.
Please hear me out.
Because all I want to do is just talk talk talk to you.
Calling out.
Got to hear an echo got to get to you.
When I’m walking out.
All I want to do is just talk talk talk to you.

Well you can hide away your feelings.
And burn your bridges in the dark.
But I know you want to break through.
But we’re worlds apart.

Just breathe in and out.
Because all I want to do is just talk talk talk to you.
Please hear me out.
Because all I want to do is just talk talk talk.
And I’m calling out.
Got to hear an echo got to get to you.
When I’m walking out.
Well all I want to do is just talk talk talk to you yeah.

The first single from Darren Hayes’ forthcoming new album, “Talk, Talk, Talk” will be released on iTunes and all major digital download retailers on June 24, the same day the single will be released to radio and TV.

Darren Hayes wrote and recorded the song in Sweden with producer Carl Falk and it was mixed by Robert Orton and mastered by Bob Ludwig.

On iTunes, Darren Hayes’ cover of Madonna’s ‘Angel’ will be included as a b-side.

Also available at iTunes, is a limited edition hand numbered 7-inch singles on transparent purple vinyl in a laser-cut sleeve designed by the album art designer John Gilsensan.

The b-side to be included on the 7-inch single is an acoustic version of “Talk, Talk, Talk” recorded live in the studio.