Crave Magazine (USA)
July, 2007 Issue
Interview with Darren Hayes
By Stephanie Nolasco

Crave: Many people here in the United States recognize your singing pipes from your Savage Garden years. What has life been like, both personally and artistically, since then?
DH: Gosh, it's more than a sound bite! It's been a journey! I sold millions of records on one of the worlds biggest labels and I'm now indie and married to a man. My life has been constantly amazing if not dramatic.

Crave: Speaking of your past, have you seen American Idol contestant Clay Aiken's version of "When You Say You Love Me?" Any thoughts?
DH: It paid the bills. Not a huge fan to be honest, but it was nice to have a song that I wrote as a B Side pay my rent for a year. That was nice.

Crave: In your past solo albums, you've often experimented with different musical genres, such as R&B and electronica. What should be expected, music-wise, from This Delicate Thing We've Made? What is the album?
DH: It's still heavily electronic but this one is more cinematic and theatrical. It almost sounds like a musical in parts. I am happy with how textured and multi layered it ended up.

Crave: Why did you choose to make a double-disk album now?
DH: Same reason I do anything. I was compelled to. I'd been listening to Kate Bush a lot and loved her record 'Hounds of Love' which was essentially a concept record on one side. I became fascinated with the opportunity that a double disc could give me to create an Opus of sorts. Truly stretch my wings and do the opposite of what people might expect. I love that on Vinyl records there was the option to listen to one half and come back later. So I worked that into my set.

Crave: Of all people to participate in this album, why was Robert Conley and Justin Shave involved?
DH: Because they are brave and raw. The worst thing about working with the big pop producers is there is a danger of sounding like everyone else on the radio. I'm super Pop anyway and I love that these guys were in some ways the complete opposite of me. Robert is a huge fan of dark electronica and heavy beats and Justin is a house music remixer with the ability to arrange orchestras. What an amazing combination!

Crave: When did Willie Williams become involved in designing your theatre tour and what should fans expect? When will you begin touring?
DH: Willie received a fan letter of sorts from me back in 1999 and we've been working together ever since. Audiences can expect the complete opposite of the modern show today. Lots of gorgeous sets and design and a 7 piece band. This is not a typical pop show in that there is no massive video screen with footage of me shirtless. It takes it's inspiration from London experimental theatre rather than Justin Timberlake.

Crave: It's been nearly a year since you parted ways with Columbia Records. How has the transition been like from Columbia Records to your own label, Powdered Sugar?
DH: Traumatic at first. But then amazingly liberating. I still have days where I wake up in a cold sweat with panic over how much pressure I'm under financially. But the possible rewards are endless.

Crave: What has been going through your mind regarding the fact that after all these years in the music business, you're still able to sell out tickets in under 10 minutes?
DH: Complete gratitude. Honestly, I cried when I heard that. I was so touched that my U.S fans remembered me!

Crave: Has London been providing any inspiration?
DH: The whole album is set in London and imagery of Victorian Science Fiction as a metaphor for regret and the passing of time. London and my marriage have become a huge part of my happiness.

Crave: In your Myspace page, listeners are able to get a peek of your new album with the track, "Who Would Have Thought," which also includes animation made by your partner Richard Cullen. What has the process of collaborating with him been like?
DH: He's an ex theatre director and University Lectured in Cinema. Now he's a world class animator who works for Willie Williams. I was worried we'd compete at first! But it's actually been an absolute joy and a rare treat to have him so much a part of my baby steps forward.

Crave: Your first single, "On The Verge Of Something Wonderful" seems to describe the direction you've taken with this album, don't you agree? Why was this the first single chosen?
DH: I think it describes my optimism at the moment, for sure. But it was chosen because it is just instantly likeable. You can't listen to this song without at least doing a bad air guitar or imaginary drum solo. They are the types of rigorous tests we used to determine the first radio single. Hehe.

Crave: What do you ultimately hope to achieve with This Delicate Thing We've Made?
DH: I hope to establish a niche for myself as a respected songwriter and vocalist. I hope that this record gives me permission to make another.

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