The Tension and The Spark Tracklisting
Posted By lssilver on Saturday, July 31 2004 at 5:46 PM
1. Darkness
2. I Like The Way
3. Light
4. Popular
5. Dublin Sky
6. Hero
7. Unlovable
8. Void
9. I Forgive You
10. Feel
11. Love And Attraction
12. Sense of Humor
13. Ego
POP!ULAR Video on Rage
Posted By Lowy on Friday, July 30 2004 at 5:11 PM
News for all Aussies who have not yet seen the video for POP!ULAR. Rage will be showing the video on Saturday Morning 31/07/04 between 9:30 - 10:00am straight after the Top 50.
UK Pop!ular Tracklisting
Posted By lssilver on Friday, July 30 2004 at 5:01 PM
CD1:
1. Popular
2. Popular (almighty mix)
CD2:
1. Popular
2. Popular (Wayne G Heaven Anthem)
3. Zero
x. Popular Video
Source: Unofficialdarrenhayes.com
Couple of Unconfirmed Performances
Posted By lssilver on Wednesday, July 28 2004 at 11:57 AM
This is something for those of you in or able to get to London ...
------
For anyone that doesnt know G-A-Y has become quite a cult club for artists to perform in and some huge acts have performed there promoting their music in recent years.
Posted on Sony by savagegardenboy
Hi all,
This is by no means confirmed information.. however for those of you living in the UK.. London's G-A-Y club @ Astoria is rumored to be having Darren as there guest performer for Sat the 4th of September. I am told he is to be doing a few songs.
Phill
There is also rumoured to be a small set at a club called Heaven which is another very famous club in London.
Source: UnofficialDarrenHayes.com
Editors Note: These performances have now been confirmed.
Darren at Manchester Pride Festival
Posted By lssilver on Saturday, July 24 2004 at 11:25 AM
Wednesday, 21st July 2004
Pride of premier gay festival
Wayne Clews
CAST your mind back to some of those damp squibs of occasions from previous gay pride occasions you may have endured. There's often something so dismal about these occasions that makes you come over all Morrisey-esque.
However, Pride this year have just announced some of the acts that they hope will get the crowds pouring into Clone Zone to buy their tickets for the big weekend.
They may not be top of the bill, but Fierce Girl really ought to be. These two gay Bermondsey council lads return to Manchester to showcase their unique brew of pram-face electro-punk pop music after a recent storming performance at Homoelectric.
Other urban-flavoured acts include Q-Boy, possibly the only gay rapper in the country and Ms Fontaine. Sadly, you couldn't really include the Pearson clan Five Star in the urban category these days, as they attempt to flog some dodgy remix of System Addict this summer and, apparently, Steadman is performing solo.
The Scissor Sisters were unable to perform due to other commitments so one of the headline acts is Darren Hayes, former member of Savage Garden, who has done the unthinkable and produced (shock horror) quite a good album, Popular.
But, before you get too star-struck, there's still enough old troopers pencilled in (Hazell Dean, Robin S, Angie Brown - well, what else would they be doing when there's the faintest whiff of a gay festival in the air?).
Sadly it seems that the rumours of an appearance by Stoke's finest, Robbie Williams, are untrue, but you can enjoy the unique talents of his old dad - stage-name Pete Conway.
Other bookings so far include Kelly Llorenna and Jarrod Batchelor (that Mr Gay UK bloke who was on Channel 4's The Games) but what I want to know is where is Deen?
The super-camp Bosnian entry for this year's Eurovision simply must be booked for a stirring rendition of his anthemic In the Disco. Anyone got his number?
Manchester Pride takes place from August 20 to 30. For more information, see their website below.
The website address for more information on Manchester Pride is: http://www.manchesterpride.com/whatson.asp?ID=r
Source: Manchester Online
Popular on iTunes UK
Posted By lssilver on Saturday, July 24 2004 at 11:21 AM
Popular is available to buy from Apple's iTunes Music Store for UK residents. The tracks available are both the album and radio versions of Popular as well as an edited version the Funkrock Club Mix by Jason Nevins. This is a great opportunity to legally get your hands on the tracks before the single is available in stores in approximately a month!
To view the details or purchase the tracks click here.
Darren Hayes Confirmed For Fox FM Party In The Park
Posted By lssilver on Wednesday, July 21 2004 at 4:01 PM
Darren Hayes was announced this morning as confirmed to appear at Fox Fms Party In The Park on August 1st. For more information visit the Fox FM Website.
Source: unofficialdarrenhayes.com
Popular Video on Sony Site
Posted By lssilver on Wednesday, July 21 2004 at 12:55 PM
Check out http://www.sonymusic.co.uk/darrenhayes/popularvideo/ for your chance to see the Popular video clip!
Popular Remixes
Posted By lssilver on Wednesday, July 21 2004 at 12:04 PM
The following are the known Popular remixes:
* Almighty Remix
* DP Rich Bitch Mix
* Peter Presta Apple Jaxx Remix
* Jason's Funkrock Club Remix
* Jason's Global Club Mix
* Guido Osorio Club Mix
* Johnny Budz Mix 2
It is not known whether all of these remixes will appear on the commercial releases. We will keep you updated as soon as we get more info!
Darren to Perform at GWR FM Free Concert
Posted By lssilver on Saturday, July 17 2004 at 4:29 PM
GWR FM's Free Music Concert with IKEA Bristol has become one of the main highlights of the IKEA Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.
This year's main concert takes place on Thursday 12th August between 2 and 9pm, but from 12 noon you'll be able to see a DVD of last year's concert and hear a local band.
We're now announcing the acts, and we're delighted to tell you that the first two headline acts will be the Sugababes and Darren Hayes. We'll bring you more details of the line-up very soon, on this page and on Bristol's GWR FM - come back to check them out.
You can also subscribe to the GWR FM free music concert SMS infoline with IKEA Bristol for details on the line-up, the artists and radio presenters.
Text "Balloon" to 07870 150 155 between Monday 19th July and Wednesday 10th August to sign up.
Source: Sony BBS. Originally posted at http://gwrfmbristol.musicradio.com/homepage.jsp
Darren Hayes reveals his tension & spark
Posted By lssilver on Friday, July 16 2004 at 9:11 PM
From AccessAllAreas.net.au:
Ex Savage Garden boy, Darren Hayes is set to get back on to his rollercoaster ride as a popstar with the release of his brand new single and album.
Hayes performed some of his new material for the first time at Party In The Park in the UK in front of over 100,000 people.
The new album, 'The Tension & The Spark' is extremely different to his past solo efforts giving more of an electronic edge - something Darren has written and produced entirely himself.
The first single to be lifted from the album is titled 'Pop!ular' and is already getting mad radio play around the country even before it's official radio release.
Nova radio stations have quickly snapped up the song and raving over the new material with Nova 100 in Melbourne saying "if this song is anything to go by will be hearing a lot more of him in days to come".
'Pop!ular' is a satire on the music industry and being famous. The video for the single was shot entirely in London and actually created headlines around the world earlier in the month. The shoot took place at various locations throughout London including Madame Tussauds, Oxford Street and Lords Cricket ground and had literally stopped traffic whilst dancing with bikini-clad models, film crew and boom box and pretty much filming whatever happened.
"it’s fun and I can’t stop you know, shaking my foot or anything that I can shake I’ll shake it. I’m shaking something right now" Hayes describes the song as.
"You know it’s a very… I’m proud of this record. It’s very experimental. We literally sat down and designed every sound that you hear on the record. You can’t go to a music store and buy the keyboard that we made these sounds with", Darren told Capital FM in London.
"the last record I made was uh.. it was just fun. It was a pop record and I enjoyed it but I knew there was a whole other side to me and layer to me that I wasn’t really sharing and I think I kinda underestimated that people would want that from me and I guess people do. I think with Savage Garden really appreciated my honesty and so I just kinda really reached deep inside on this record and gave it my all", he continued.
"I actually see this record as a really positive record. It’s really a story about me kinda analysing myself and really looking at a time in my life where I uh… was really challenged and then finding my feet again and really finding like, a light at the end of the tunnel. So, ‘the tension and the spark’ is a lyric that comes from one of the songs and it’s about that friction and that kind of uh.. it could be when someone when walks into a room and there’s that energy"
Pop!ular is instores August 23
'The Tension And The Spark' will hit stores September 13.
Delta and Daz's big night
Posted By lssilver on Friday, July 16 2004 at 9:05 PM
15jul04
FORMER Savage Garden front man Darren Hayes will hit the promo circuit soon with a new album and single.
The album, called The Tension and the Spark, will be out soon.
Hayes went to the Spider-Man 2 premiere in London on Tuesday with friend and Sony label-mate Delta Goodrem, but wasn't noticed as all the snappers had their lenses trained on Delta.
And it was a big night for her -- not only did the pop princess get to meet the film's stars, Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst, but she also hung out with rock superstar and former Nicole Kidman squeeze Lenny Kravitz.
Goodrem and Hayes are pictured with Kravitz and producer/record label boss Gerry DeVeaux.
DeVeaux -- who has written hits for Kravitz, Kylie Minogue and Chaka Khan -- is working with Jimmy Barnes on his new duets album, due out this year.
The album features duets with Kravitz and Diesel.
Goodrem is working on her second album in London.
Source: Herald Sun
News from the D-Zine
Posted By lssilver on Thursday, July 15 2004 at 11:42 AM
Pop!ular UK CD Cover!!!
The CD cover for Darren's first single 'Pop!ular' have just been confirmed.
You can view it Here
Darren In Jersey
Darren is confirmed to be appearing on the new variety show 'Simply The Best' which is taped out of Jersey. Darren will be taping the program today and it will air on August 14 2004 on ITV.
Darren To Attend King Arthur Premier
Darren is confirmed to be attending the London Premier of 'King Arthur' on July 15 2004. He will be arriving at 6.15pm at the Empire Theatre in Leicester Square, W1
High Resolution Images
Posted By lssilver on Thursday, July 15 2004 at 11:26 AM
Head over to http://www.users.on.net/~harnisch/DH/ to see 2 High Resolution images!
Darren To Attend 'Spiderman 2' Premier
Posted By lssilver on Monday, July 12 2004 at 4:37 PM
Darren will be attending the London Premier of 'Spiderman 2' on July 12 2004 at 7.00pm
The premier will be held at the Odeon Theatre, Leicester Square, W1, in London.
Source: D-Zine
Party In The Park Pictures
Posted By lssilver on Monday, July 12 2004 at 4:35 PM
London: http://www.capitalfm.com/pitp/PhotoWall.asp?id=8952
Capital FM Interview Transcript
Posted By lssilver on Friday, July 9 2004 at 11:21 AM
During this interview Popular was played but also Darren's favourite track from the album 'Unlovable'. There was also a promise to play Darkness on Friday during the show on Capital FM!
-------------
Interview with Darren Hayes - Capital FM London
Thursday July 8, 2004
Originally posted by Strawberry Mundae on the Sony BBS
Edited for Presentation by Darren Hayes Central
SCHOOLY It is now 16 minutes after eight, ladies and gentleman put your hands together for Darren Hayes *cue applauds and whooping in the studio* What’s happening buddy?
DARREN: Mr SCHOOLY:
SCHOOLY: Good to see you
DARREN: Very good to see you
SCHOOLY: *phone beeps* See my… all.. every phone in the building is going off tonight. *Darren laughs* how are you sir?
DARREN: I’m fantastic, I’m having a great year
SCHOOLY: Been a while, two years man, you left it a long while man. You left people hungry, starving
DARREN: I had a lot of weight to lose * both laugh *
SCHOOLY: So listen, we hear you’re spending a lot of time here in the UK, how are you finding that?
DARREN: I’m loving it. I gotta tell you, I um.. never really spent more than what? Ten days at a time in the UK and um… just loving it. Learning how to use the tubes. Um finding the best…
SCHOOLY: *laughing * you actually, you are using the tube in London?!
DARREN: I am yeah! Actually we shot most of the video for my new single, Pop!ular, on the streets of London. On Oxford Street, in the tubes so uh, yeah…
SCHOOLY: Ok, wow.. excellent
DARREN: As well as filming on the tubes I often travel on them
SCHOOLY: So, the question that we have to ask is two years away, you were at PARTY IN THE PARK last year
DARREN: Yeah, I know
SCHOOLY: where you announced Beyonce on stage last year. Now you’re back
DARREN: Yeah, that’s right
SCHOOLY: I remember talking to you backstage, you was like ‘I cannot wait to be back here’
DARREN: Yeah, that’s right
SCHOOLY: So we’re kinda like a few days away, how are you feeling about it?
DARREN: Feel great actually, I spent you know, a good deal of time making this record in my bedroom actually in San Francisco
SCHOOLY: Really?
DARREN: It was a very chilled out experience, and made a really personal record and I think last time you saw me I was more nervous to sort of like, to introduce an artist on stage then I will be tomorrow to sing, or this week to sing because ultimately I think it’s easier to sing then sort of, be on stage and uh.. do what you do
SCHOOLY: Really? *laughs *
DARREN: Yeah, absolutely
SCHOOLY: That’s good…
SCHOOLY: So listen, before we even play another record can you just say hello to all the fans. Did you encounter them on the way in?
DARREN: Yeah, there’s ten, and they’re outside and…. No I’m kidding. I wanna say a huge hello and thank you to all my fans, especially you know, in the UK because they’re the most loyal in the world and incredible and they’re very well dressed at the moment
SCHOOLY: I was gonna come to that *Darren laughs * you have the most loyal fans I know. And we’ve had.. we’ve crashed your website twice because of it
DARREN: Yeah. Really? *laughs *
SCHOOLY: Amazing amount of people
DARREN: No, I love 'em and I can’t say enough great things about these people. They are um.. becoming like family. You know I did some album playback sessions earlier in the year where we invited people in the fan club or people on the Net
SCHOOLY: Yeah?
DARREN: ...who listened to the album. And I got to personally meet so many people who have supported me since Savage Garden and um.. I love ‘em.
SCHOOLY: Wow. Well listen, you’re here for a little while right?
DARREN: Yes, I am
SCHOOLY: You have brought the album
DARREN: I have
SCHOOLY: Can we play a couple of tracks of that?
DARREN: I would love to
SCHOOLY: Is that possible?
DARREN: It is possible
SCHOOLY: I gotta say, the first album I’ve had in about three years that’s actually got a title where the track is not on there
DARREN: *laughs softly *
SCHOOLY: We’ll talk about that in a little while
DARREN: We will
SCHOOLY: Darren Hayes everybody! *clapping in the studio * good to see you. You’re looking slim for real, actually
DARREN: For real! *both laugh *
Plays music
SCHOOLY: Brand new Lou Reed, Satellite of Love. Thursday night at London’s 95.8 Capital FM. Hanging with Darren Hayes tonight, who’s currently taking some time out. Could I just stand up? I’ve been sitting down, a little too chilled out actually
DARREN: Alright, stand up.
SCHOOLY: Now, before we even get into the new single Pop!ular and talk about the whole new package, I just need you to give me your top three acts that you’re looking forward to seeing at PARTY IN THE PARK this year, because we know it’s always, one of those.. one of the times when everybody’s doing their own thing when they’re all backstage
DARREN: I reckon.. let me.. it’s tough for me. I reckon one of them would have to be hmmm… Anastasia, because she’s on my label. No, and I really, really love her new single actually. You were playing it before and I couldn’t stop.. singing it. And I love Nelly Furtado. I’m obsessed with her new record. And ooh, who else? Cuz there’s so many great people. I’m gonna pick one other person that’s probably going to be… Mmmm.. Alanis. Look at that, I picked the girls.
SCHOOLY: Wow *laughs * so they’re Darren Hayes top three. I can’t wait to talk to you about this new album
DARREN: Me too
SCHOOLY: And the single
DARREN: Alright
SCHOOLY: Let’s take a little break and when we come back, it’s all about Darren Hayes on Capital
Plays the year’s most irritating song (in my POV :p)
SCHOOLY: 411 – On my Knees, featuring Ghostface Killer on 95.8 Capital FM. 8:30 (some other blurb). Darren Hayes in the house tonight *clapping * Good to have him back
DARREN: *grunts*
SCHOOLY: Good to have you here. You know what’s good? Is that you come back, second time around, releasing a new album man. I was very grateful when you came over when you brought ‘Spin’ to us. We love that
DARREN: That’s the kinda guy I am
SCHOOLY: It’s kinda nice to kinda like, have the follow up to that
DARREN: Yeah
SCHOOLY: So, Tension and the Spark. First of all, listening to the album, the sound of it is very unique. I don’t think there’s been anything like this
DARREN: You know it’s a very… I’m proud of this record. It’s very experimental. We literally sat down and designed every sound that you hear on the record. You can’t go to a music store and buy the keyboard that we made these sounds with.
SCHOOLY: Wow
DARREN: It was very fun and then to take it to someone like Spike, who basically, if you listen to that Madonna track ‘Musik’ or listen to Mirwais or Massive Attack or the Bjork stuff, he’s a huge part of the sound design of those records. So, for that reason it was a really cool experience.
SCHOOLY: Lyrically, there isn’t much that we don’t know about you now *laughs *
DARREN: I know, it was very confessional, right?
SCHOOLY: VERY confessional. I mean, what…was that a conscious decision?
DARREN: It was. It was a bit of a knee-jerk reaction to the fact that the last record I made was uh.. it was just fun. It was a pop record and I enjoyed it but I knew there was a whole other side to me and layer to me that I wasn’t really sharing and I think I kinda underestimated that people would want that from me and I guess people do. I think with Savage Garden really appreciated my honesty and so I just kinda really reached deep inside on this record and gave it my all
SCHOOLY: If you, for me, if you put the two albums together, ‘spin’ was the fun side of Darren Hayes and this side is a very dark side.
DARREN: It’s intense. It is intense. I mean, the first single is chirpier
SCHOOLY: Laughs
DARREN: You know, It’s a funnier ‘up’ side. You know, this record is broody I think. It’s quite a brooding, interesting, stormy record and I uh.. you know, I .. it’s the first time I’ve made a record that most of my friends really dig
SCHOOLY: Ok
DARREN: You know, which is always a really good sign I think *laugh *
SCHOOLY: What are your favourite tracks off there?
DARREN: My favourite track on the record is a song called ‘Unlovable’
SCHOOLY: Ok
DARREN: And I love a song called ‘Darkness’, and I’m obsessed with ‘Popular’ which is the first single, which is.. it’s fun and I can’t stop you know, shaking my foot or anything that I can shake I’ll shake it. I’m shaking something right now
SCHOOLY: There’s not much left of you to shake man! I gotta say, you’ve been working out. Working.. dieting and stuff ain’t you really?
DARREN: Yeah, I have. You know, I made the record. I think the last time you saw me I was eating a lot of curries
SCHOOLY: *laughs loud *
DARREN: And I had to stop doing that.. So it’s the 'no-curry' diet. No, I just kinda, yeah, I’ve been really healthy really.
SCHOOLY: Has Europe in any way influenced this new album?
DARREN: Totally. I uh.. you know, I was listening to a lot of electronic music and a lot of French music and then working with Maris Devris (sp?) and Mark Stent and uh, you know sort of, coming over here to sort of soak up the music scene. It’s the most competitive, the most interesting music scene in the whole world.
SCHOOLY: Yeah
DARREN: And so I’m really proud that I got to spend a lot of time here and soak that up
SCHOOLY: Now, let’s go back to the fans because I think the fans, for any artist, they’re very appreciative of their fans but you seem to have fans that are just on a higher level. They have you in a place where they compare you to like, family members
DARREN: Yeah
SCHOOLY: And they seem to kind of associate you with the times that they’re going through. A lot of the emails always mention ‘thank you so much for the music’
DARREN: Yeah
SCHOOLY: What… how.. explain the relationship between you and the fans, because it is something really, really special, isn’t it?
DARREN: First of all, I feel I’ve grown up with these people you know? I was what.. 24 I think, when I started. I’m 32, I’ll be 33 next year and I’ve changed so much in my life, so much happened to me and I feel that all happened publicly and musically and so anyone who’s still sticking around today that knows who Darren Hayes is, is a friend of mine. I mean, I just think that these people have grown with me and travelled with me and they’re really brave, you know? I think that to sort of, follow an artist through their career these days.. it’s hard to keep people’s attention.
SCHOOLY: Definitely, definitely
DARREN: So they’re really loyal and really… I think they really listen to the lyrics and they really get into that side of it
SCHOOLY: How do you take the things that they say to you? Because they are very.. the same way you are open lyrically, they are the same way with you as well
DARREN: *laughs * yeah, they’ll tell me if they hate my haircut
SCHOOLY: *Laughs *
DARREN: Definitely. So far I haven’t had any complaints this week. Um.. they’re very needy *laughs *.. but so am I, we have that in common. They’re cool
SCHOOLY: Any of them that you’ve kinda got to know personally?
DARREN: Definitely! Yeah, I mean I know some people’s names and no, I’m not going to mention them in case all the others get jealous *snickers *.. kidding. But no, I do, you tend to sort of be like *enthused voice* ‘Hey!’ and you sort of… sometimes I’ll be in like, the grocery store and I’m thinking ‘do I know you know you or do I know you cuz I saw you at PARTY IN THE PARK?’ plug, plug. Um… yeah, these people are really friendly. I wish I was a little bit more of a celebrity and a pop star and be like *puts on Fagin type voice * ‘You bitches.. leave * but I tend to end up hanging out with them a lot
SCHOOLY: Let’s play the single, Popular shall we?
DARREN: Let’s do it
SCHOOLY: Right now. Darren Hayes tonight at Capital
Plays Popular
SCHOOLY: London’s 95.8 Capital FM. That is the brand new single, brand new sound from Darren Hayes. He’s with us here tonight. Popular everybody, put your hands together for Darren Haaaayes!
DARREN: I’m actually clapping. I’m in the room and I’m clapping for myself
SCHOOLY: That’s what happens when you live in America for too long *laughs *
DARREN: Oh it’s that true? *in camp voice * Let’s talk about me!
SCHOOLY: Let’s talk about .. oh, what are we going to talk about? We got so much to talk about. Loads of requests actually
DARREN: Well, there’s a poster outside that says… show us your… bum.
SCHOOLY: Don’t do it!
DARREN: I was gonna try and do it, but I couldn’t get close enough to the window
SCHOOLY: I know, I know.. you’ll kinda disturb my producer, Becky. She probably won’t be the same.
DARREN: No
SCHOOLY: Couple of requests coming in. Too Close for Comfort
DARREN: Yes?
SCHOOLY: People wanna know are you gonna release that as a DVD?
DARREN: I am. We actually filmed three nights at the Apollo, here in London. And it’s an amazing concert film that probably will come out… one day. Towards the end of the year… I think. I’m still editing and doing all sorts of stuff to it and I guess this brand new album kinda took the focus of everything, but it’s coming.. it’s really cool.
SCHOOLY: Ok. People seem to know a lot about you. Do you kind of.. are you always this open with everything that you do?
DARREN: Yeah, cuz it’s easier with gifts. I think if you tell people what you like now.. I just.. all I want is underwear, Calvin Klein, size 32. You say that and you’ll get sent that. I guarantee I’ll get 20 pairs sent to me.
SCHOOLY: *laughs * Ok
DARREN: Ferrari please. Ferrari
SCHOOLY: Ok, let’s see. X5, 4.4
DARREN: Kylie’s bum
SCHOOLY: Fully kitted, cream interior
DARREN: A great car
SCHOOLY: Let’s see if that can work. If it don’t work, I’m blaming you, you know?
DARREN: Alright *laughs nervously *
SCHOOLY: So, let’s go back to the album ‘Tension & the Spark’
DARREN: Alright
SCHOOLY: Why call it that? That’s a very dark title in itself
DARREN: Uh, yeah it is and it’s kinda positive. I actually see this record as a really positive record. It’s really a story about me kinda analysing myself and really looking at a time in my life where I uh… was really challenged and then finding my feet again and really finding like, a light at the end of the tunnel. So, ‘the tension and the spark’ is a lyric that comes from one of the songs and it’s about that friction and that kind of uh.. it could be when someone when walks into a room and there’s that energy…
SCHOOLY: Yeah.. uh-huh.
DARREN: It could be when dark means light. I mean I’m getting all technical
SCHOOLY: Nah, that’s cool
DARREN: *laughs * it, really does describe the record. It’s a real journey from dark to light
SCHOOLY: A couple of the fans described you as being depressed. Is that word we can use after ‘spin’ came out? Or is this them just being dramatic?
DARREN: *laughs * Oh my God! No! and I have to say no to this now, and I don’t know where this has come from! I think what we’re saying is this record is very self-analytical, you know it really is quite a uh.. you know it’s an examined study of.. anyone really.. and of a man. You have to understand I have had the best things in the world happen to me. I came from a band where I sold twenty million records and travelled round the world then to come from that then find challenges and experiences in your life that can beat that, um.. I think that’s difficult. I think that, for me, with ‘Spin’ I sort of made the record and uh.. came out with this amazing record but I didn’t really have time to think about everything that I’d achieved and all the things that I was grateful for and so, it’s a real.. this record’s really that period after that, like the calm after that storm where I analysed everything that had happened to me and took it in
SCHOOLY: Sounds a bit like therapy doesn’t it? *laughs *
DARREN: *laughs * it probably is! I really am quite fun! I really just make fart jokes if you hang out with me. *laughter in the studio * I’m really not this serious all the time. I’m quite a simple boy.
SCHOOLY: Everybody wants to know.. Obviously, Savage Garden was the beginning for you
DARREN: Yup
SCHOOLY: I… is there gonna be a reunion? Let’s get this kind of sorted right now
DARREN: Oh my goodness.. never say never!
SCHOOLY: Everybody wants to know
DARREN: Goodness me! Probably. No.. who knows? I mean, I love Daniel. He’s..
SCHOOLY: Is this something that you wanna do?
DARREN: Oh what? Oh.. *exhausted sigh* God. I don’t even really think about it to be honest. I love Dan, I love the music that we made together. I’m always gonna play the songs on stage and you know, look.. one day I’d love him to come up and do it with me. We’re just kinda doing things in our lives. He’s getting married soon
SCHOOLY: Ok
DARREN: Has a beautiful wife. Can I give a shout out to someone actually? Sorry..
SCHOOLY: Of course! Take it away…
DARREN: The producer of this record and the guy that I wrote most of the songs with is an amazing person called Robert Conley and he’s listening at home and I wanna say ‘Thanks’.
SCHOOLY: What’s happening Rob?! *claps*
DARREN: Hey Robert
SCHOOLY: Sterling work! Big up! *both laugh *
DARREN: *sighs*
SCHOOLY: So what do you wanna achieve from this album?. Just to say.. going back to something that you mentioned earlier
DARREN: Yup
SCHOOLY: You said you’d love to be like the big kind of, celebrity superstar
DARREN: Nooo.. I’m kidding and that’s the thing about Pop!Ular is really, that song is all the things that I’m not but these days I feel like we’re so obsessed with fame you know
SCHOOLY: Yeah, I know
DARREN: Anyone can be on TV for two seconds and it’s become almost this vocation that we train for and for me, it was kinda like ‘you know what? I’m gonna get on the bandwagon cuz I’ve made, I think the best record of my career and do anything to get you to listen to it’.
SCHOOLY: Right
DARREN: The music video for this single is hilarious. I literally took a ghetto blaster around the streets of London and forced my song upon the poor public and it’s really me just saying ‘you know what? Even I’m this desperate, you know?’
SCHOOLY: yeah
DARREN: Because ultimately for me, my goals have achieved in making this record. I can’t believe my record company’s released it! They’ve been so supportive of me of making this record that I think once you listen to it you’ll see it… it’s my love. It’s the reason why I get out of bed in the morning, to make music. And uh.. so, in some ways I’ve already achieved that, I’ve made the record and I just want it to get out there.
SCHOOLY: And on that note..
DARREN: And sell a zillion copies!
SCHOOLY: Can we play something off the album? Cuz we’ve not played anything anywhere
DARREN: Yeah, we will! I wanna play my favourite song off the record and it’s a song called ‘Unlovable’
Plays ‘Unlovable’
SCHOOLY: *over intro of song* I think we should just say something right now over this, cuz we know that all your fans will be taping this *laughs *
DARREN: *Low, stern voice* If you’re taping this song, I’m gonna come to your house and bang you over the head cuz the album doesn’t come out ‘til September 6th
SCHOOLY: *Laughs*
Continues playing ‘Unlovable’ without interruption!
SCHOOLY: London’s 95.8 Capital FM. A world exclusive tonight, taken from the album ‘The Tension & The Spark’. Thank you very much to Darren Hayes…
DARREN: Hey, it’s been a pleasure. Thank you
SCHOOLY: …for joining us on the show. Really good to see you both. Thank you so much for bringing it. I know, there’s a lot of politics involved with playing albums on radio before they’re released and stuff
DARREN: Yeah, it’s great! I’m really excited. It’s the first time it’s been played radio so thank you.
SCHOOLY: Wow, that is.. that’s a deep track Mr Hayes!
DARREN: Yeah, it’s heavy. I think it’s interesting, a lot of people react to that song.. I think everyone can kinda relate to that issue so…
SCHOOLY: I’d love to play ‘Darkness’ as well, that’s the track which I think we should leave…
DARREN: Whatever you want. Knock yourself out.
SCHOOLY: Can you leave it with us? Can we kinda like, play another track tomorrow?
DARREN: Yeah.. Go for it. Play it to your friends….
SCHOOLY: Bless you man. Bless you. So, we’re a couple of day away from PARTY IN THE PARK.. How many tracks are you gonna be doing
DARREN: I think I’m doing three. I’m gonna do the new single, ‘Pop!Ular’ and a couple of oldies and um..
SCHOOLY: Will you do like a medley thing?
DARREN: No, I’m gonna do.. I don’t wanna give it away but I’m gonna do a fantastic Savage Garden song and then a song from my last album
SCHOOLY: Excellent
DARREN: So, I’m really excited
SCHOOLY: Darren Hayes
DARREN: Thank you for having me!
SCHOOLY: Thank you very much to him
DARREN: God bless ya'
SCHOOLY: It’s been really good to see you, can’t wait to see you perform on Sunday
DARREN: Good to see you to
SCHOOLY: So um.. *laughs* I was gonna say, so your fans outside have got some unbelievable banners
DARREN: Yeah, they said…
SCHOOLY: You wanna kinda just, let everybody at home know what they say?
DARREN: There’s a sign outside that said ‘SHOW US YOU’RE A-R-S-E’ and I don’t know what that means but I’ve just pulled my jeans down and showed them…. Somthin’
SCHOOLY: Ok *laughs * That’s to the fans and next to everybody as well. Darren we’ll catch you on Sunday at PARTY IN THE PARK
DARREN: I’ll be there
SCHOOLY: Take care, mate
New Picture from Sony Poland
Posted By lssilver on Thursday, July 8 2004 at 8:17 PM
The Popular single is mentioned on the Sony Poland Website in the bottom left corner.
Source: http://www.sonymusic.pl/
From The D-Zine
Posted By lssilver on Thursday, July 8 2004 at 2:32 PM
8th July 2004 - Darren to do live interview with Schoolie
Darren will be doing a live interview at Capital fm with Schoolie on July 8 2004. The interview is scheduled for 8.10pm so if any fans are in the London vacinity they may be lucky to get a sneak peak of Darren.
UK Press Release
Posted By lssilver on Wednesday, July 7 2004 at 4:50 PM
Darren Hayes Returns With "The Tension & The Spark"
Darren Hayes is back with his second solo album titled 'The Tension & The Spark'due for release on 13th September 2004. The albums release will follow on from the first single titled 'Popular' on 23rd August.
Darren has enjoyed world-wide success both as one half of Savage Garden and as a solo artist with his debut solo album 'Spin'. In total, Darren has sold a massive 3.5million albums in the UK & an impressive 26.4million albums world-wide.
'The Tension & The Spark' has a very electronic edge to it and Darren has written and produced it in its entirety. It was mixed by Mark Spike Stent who has also worked with the likes of Madonna and Kylie. The album is an incredibly honest and open record, unveiling Darren's inner most feelings and one that has been eagerly awaited by fans worldwide.
The single "Popular" is a satire on the music industry and being famous. The video was shot in London at various locations including Madame Tussauds, Oxford Street and Lords Cricket ground. Other stand out tracks on the album include "Unlovable", "Darkness" and "Void" which is about losing someone you love - something that everyone can relate to.
Look out for 'The Tension & The Spark' in record stores from 13th September 2004.
Source: http://www.gopophits.com/darrenhayes/
Popular Airplay in Australia
Posted By lssilver on Tuesday, July 6 2004 at 8:11 PM
Reports are coming in today that Popular has begun airplay on Australian Radio. So far it has been heard on Nova 96.9FM in Sydney and B105 FM in Brisbane.
If you have heard Popular on your local radio station head to http://forums.darrenhayescentral.com/viewtopic.php?t=3121 and let us know!
Party In The Park on UK TV
Posted By lssilver on Tuesday, July 6 2004 at 8:09 PM
For those of you who cannot make it to Party In The Park, Channel 5 in the UK will be screening it on Sunday at 11.30am.
The Tension and The Spark on HMV Japan
Posted By lssilver on Monday, July 5 2004 at 4:26 PM
Release Date for Japan : Sep. 15th
Item Number: SICP-615 Sony Music International Japan
Price: 2,520yen (including tax) for domestic sales
Track Number: 13 songs + bonus track
Privilege limited stock:
* Color booklet
* Lyrics booklet (English / translated in Japanese)
* 1 sticker (image from album cover)
* CD-extra video
* Obi-strip
http://www.hmv.co.jp/product/detail.asp?sku=1832381
Thanks to Aya for posting the details on the Sony BBS
Spoiler Alert: The HMV Japan link contains the tracklisting of the album. If you do not wish to see the tracklisting do not visit the HMV Japan site.
News from Almighty Records
Posted By lssilver on Saturday, July 3 2004 at 9:46 PM
Darren Is Just So Popular With Almighty
Savage Garden's legendary frontman, Darren Hayes, returns with a great new single 'Popular' and Almighty provide the main club mix too. With a fun, camp but also clever lyric, this song still has an edge of real credibilty and is literally glittering with brilliance. Hayes is certainly a great songwriter and an equally good performer too. 'Popular' is due for release on Sony in early August. Almighty's mix will also appear on the commercial CD here in the UK. It was mailed to DJs today through Eurosolution.
Savage Garden Hits Get An Almighty Update
Almighty have recently remixed 2 classic Savage Garden tracks, 'To The Moon And Back' and 'Affirmation'. Both have been reworked and updated with a classic house style mix on 'To The Moon And Back', as well as 2 totally uplifting pop/trance versions of the same song and with the gorgeous Savage Garden classic 'Affirmation'.
These mixes are to be mailed to DJs early next week. You can, however, order this very limited CD single yourself, through the Almighty Solar Site. See the 'news' page or 'catalogue' for more details.
Source: http://www.almightyrecords.com/remixes/
For more details go to Savage Garden Central.
Win Tickets to See Darren Live at PITP London
Posted By lssilver on Friday, July 2 2004 at 4:19 PM
Head over to http://www.sonymusic.co.uk/darrenhayes/pitp_comp/ to enter a contest to win tickets in the 'Golden Circle' area in front of the stage. These tickets are SOLD OUT and the only way to get them is to win this contest!
Party In The Park Swansea
Posted By lssilver on Friday, July 2 2004 at 4:11 PM
Darren will be appearing at '96.4FM The Wave Party In The Park 2004' in Swansea, South Wales on July 24th!
For more details on the event and to order tickets go to http://www.thewave.co.uk/pitp.htm
Thanks to everyone who emailed this to me.
Popular Remixes
Posted By lssilver on Thursday, July 1 2004 at 2:27 PM
News that a remix of Popular by Almighty Associates is doing the rounds in clubs in the UK. If the remixes done for Savage Garden are anything to go by this is going to be one awesome remix. Hopefully this will be included when the track is released commercially.
Also keep an ear out for Jason Nevins' remix of Popular.
Popular available for Pre-Order
Posted By lssilver on Thursday, July 1 2004 at 12:08 PM
Soundworld are now taking pre-orders for the Australian release of Popular, set for release on August 23rd.
At this stage the tracklisting is not available.
Pre-Order your copy from Soundworld Today!
The price of the single is $4.95 AUD and will count towards the official ARIA singles charts. Ordering from Soundworld will help the song debut higher in the charts!
