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Meeting Darren Hayes
Three weeks ago, I met up with singer Darren Hayes twice to talk about his forthcoming album and more. The first time we chatted for a minute in his dressing room right after his gig at The Canal Room in New York, and the second meeting was a lot longer and took place in the boardroom of his PR firm somewhere in a Midtown high-rise.
It was nice to hear Darren is a reader of Arjanwrites.com and he even gave me a shout out on his blog. (The feeling is mutual, Darren. Represent!)
Darren and I did a lengthy phone interview in February 2006 in which he talked extensively about his struggle with depression and his upbringing in Australia. At the time of that interview, he chose not to discuss his sexuality.
This time around, we continued where we left things last year. Life has changed quite a bit for Darren since then. He came out as a gay man, got married to the love of his life ("that's an understatement") and worked with a talented bunch of people on a hefty double-disc CD. His upcoming new album "This Delicate Thing We've Made" presents a much happier Darren but also reflects how he is coping with the trauma of his past, including his thoughts about suicide that he discusses on a track called "Conversation With God."
The uber-talented Justin Shave with whom Darren produced part of this new album took part in our interview as well. We ended up chatting lot about the sounds, inspiration and musicial aesthetic of the record, which was was really great. Darren and Justin have great chemistry together that I expect to resonate on the album.
The interview I did with Darren is primarily intended for Bravo TV, but I am considering to post some audio clips of the interview here. I need to check with Darren if he's cool with that. The way he talks about his album is truly compelling and provides great insights in the background of the record. I'll keep you posted.
July 10, 2007 in Arjan | Permalink
Comments
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Darren is an artist of immense compassion towards his audience and his music. His personal touches makes everything he accomplishes seem extra genuine. I look forward to opening up his new double cd and immersing myself in the music for years to come. Can you tell us when/how his interview will be used for Bravo TV? Thank you so much.
Posted by: Chan at Jul 10, 2007 11:52:20 AM
I totally respect Darren as an artist and as a person, I never seen such Artist evolved quickly in a " Test of Time"
Posted by: Marvin at Jul 10, 2007 12:43:37 PM
Darren is my favourite singer. He's a fantastic artist , he writes beautiful songs that speak right to the heart. He's an amazing person.
Posted by: Beatrice at Jul 10, 2007 1:30:15 PM
Great article Arjan. Darren Hayes is such a talented artist and I can't wait to hear the album. Look forward to hearing more about your interview.
Posted by: Caroline at Jul 10, 2007 2:43:33 PM
Darren hasn't failed to surprise me and impress me with his new songs!
I will always admire him as a person and as an artist.
Izx
Posted by: Izzy at Jul 10, 2007 2:51:34 PM
Darren Hayes is heads-above-shoulders my favorite artist of all time. If he is not the most genuine of all artists, but I love how he connects with his fans. He has been through a lot, personally and professoinally, and I hope the rest of his days will be happier and a little more easier! Roll on August 20th!
Posted by: Stephanie E. at Jul 10, 2007 3:23:30 PM
Darren Hayes has always been my favorite performer ever since 10 years now.
He is such an amazing person which you can tell from his records and from the sensitivity he has in his incredible outstanding voice ..
Darren’s biggest fan from Jordan: Amal
Posted by: melo at Jul 10, 2007 4:37:22 PM
I really enjoy reading your blogs and the way you have shown Darren respect over the years is really impressive, I'm looking forward to reading more.
Posted by: Shayne at Jul 10, 2007 5:48:31 PM
Darreb Hayes is the best singer ever seen since AGES !!! I admire him as a person and as an artist !
Don't give up Darren!! I'm your fan forever!!! :)
Your truly madlydeeply and faithful Fan forever !!!!!
mwaaaaaaaah !!!! Your the best !!
Nary from Algeria !! ( Dihya & Leila join me to the this message)! : )
Posted by: Narimene at Jul 10, 2007 6:08:12 PM
Apart from his amazing talent, the best thing about Darren is that he lets the barriers down. His music and actions show his fans and everyone else that he is the same fallible, fragile human being with the same dark thoughts and capacity for evolution that we all have. He is an inspiration because he is not an aloof star, but is very much one of us.
Posted by: ANNAH FITCH AKA PIPPINPINK at Jul 10, 2007 6:24:01 PM
I've never heard an artist who shares so much of himself in his music as Darren Hayes. I had the opportunity to see him live for the first time in June (I've been a huge fan for 10 years!!) and was blow away by how much he loves his audience. He truly is a wonderful person and I hope to hear more of the interview. Thank you for sharing with us.
Posted by: Amber at Jul 10, 2007 8:49:31 PM
I have never heard any celebrity tell his fans so much about his life. Telling us how you once thought about suicide is....well huge. I can't wait to see Darren live for the first time in my life in October.
Posted by: Jarl at Jul 10, 2007 9:53:19 PM
Great article Arjan, Darren Hayes is not just a talented artist, is also a great person!
hope you can post the audio clips.
Posted by: Irene at Jul 10, 2007 10:29:51 PM
Darren is one of the best artists to come around in the last 10 years. so underated, but yet sooooooooo talented. i think ppl are gonna be discovering something weve known for the last 10 years of loving the music and loving Darren as an artist but also as a human being. i finally had the honor and the distinct pleasure in meeting Darren for the 1st time last month in SF after one of his amazing small club shows and he is without a doubt one of the most gracious artists/person ive ever met. it was a rushed meeting, but he was so kind in taking the time to take a picture with me.
the new album is gonna blow ppl away! strap yourselves in for one hell of a ride. u wont know whats hit u. ;)
Posted by: Dazzy at Jul 10, 2007 11:06:57 PM
Darren is simply the best artist around today, his voice can bring me to tears, raise the hair in the back of my neck still and I listen to him every single day and have for the last 7 years. He is kind, caring and compassionate and shares his life with his fans like no other person on the planet! This new album rocks and should be a complete hit
Posted by: lynne at Jul 11, 2007 3:10:47 AM
There are so many things that I want to tell for Darren!He is the only one and best singer who has such a great voice!Noone will ever reach him!He is the inspiration for all of his fans!He can make you travel with his velvet voice and his amazing songs that he writes!God bless him and have him always healthy!
Maria, Greece.
Posted by: Maria_hellas at Jul 11, 2007 6:42:49 AM
I had the pleasure of seeing Darren in concert at his SOLD-OUT Roxy show in Los Angeles. He kept the audience so involved by telling us stories about his life in between some of the songs. I've loved him since the earliest Savage Garden days in the U.S., and I can't wait for him to tour in Southern California again! Keep on rocking, Darren!!!
Posted by: Wendy at Jul 11, 2007 10:34:22 PM
What an awesome piece of work: both the story and Mr. Darren Hayes!!! My daughter & I have both loved him since his first single in Savage Garden!! There has not been another musical artist in a long, long while that can do what Darren Hayes does: He completely entertains you & moves you!! In so many ways!! No matter the age, race, etc., he reaches all genres with style, grace and compassion!! The words, music & voice of his songs simply take you away to places of pure joy!! After seeing him live for the first time at the Lakeshore Theater in Chicago, I was speechless!! I cannot find words to describe all of the emotions running through me!! All of those great words: awesome, fantastic, breath-taking, fabulous, wonderful.... they are just an understatement!! There is no ONE word to describe Darren Hayes or his talent!!! God bless him and Best of everything for him & his continued MAJOR success!! Much hugs and love!
Posted by: Sheryl G. at Jul 13, 2007 10:57:02 PM
just wanted to say i am so excited waiting for your new album! i'm sure i wont be disapointed! your songs never fail to connect to my emotions and move me! so glad to hear you have come through the other side smiling! thank you for always being there with your music hoping to see you in sept in manchester england! sending rainbows from a rainbow princess hugs xxxxx
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