MX City Beat (AU)
(a free newspaper given out around the Melbourne and Sydney CBD for commuters put out by the same group that does the Herald Sun)
Moving On
November 2, 2006

(Thanks to Naffi for the scan and the info about MX!)

MX City Beat
Moving On
Darren Hayes Finally Feels Comfortable Being Himself
November 2, 2006

Ten years is a long time in the music industry, but for Darren Hayes, it's been a time for rebirth and reinvention.

The decade saw his spectacular rise and equally spectacular fall, and despite never quite losing the Savage Garden tag, Hayes is officially over it.

"I really am. I can tell you 100% I am over it," he said from his London home.

I love what Savage Garden gave me, it was an incredible experience and I still love the songs, but I definitely drew a line in the sand this year."

In the four years since the band's split, Hayes has tried to reposition himself as a solo artist and shake the hype of the band, with limited success.

However, a new DVD Too Close For Comfort which is half concert and half bio-doco, might finally help him achieve it.

Shot in three stages the DVD features his 2002 Russian tour promoting Spin, commentary from Hayes in 2004, and even more commentary from an older and wiser Hayes from this year.

The result is a reflective video diary-style illustration of Hayes' turmoil as he struggles to redefine his ideas about career success.

Hayes' insecurities are laid completely bare, from diva paranoia about hugging his fans and losing his voice, to a spectacular dummy spit after incorrectly tipping a Russian waitress.

Whatever you think of Hayes' behavior in the early days, you have to admire his bravery in letting the younger insolence be shown to the public.

"There's moments when I cringe and I think 'I can't believe I acted that way', but I guess I have quite a lot of sympathy for the person I was back then", he said.

A lot of the time I was really quite depressed. I was at the crossroads of my life on every aspect, not just personally but professionally and emotionally.

I was coming down from a big high which was this phenomenally successful band, and I was really, for the first time ever, dealing with my sexuality.

I would encourage anybody who feels a little bit messed up to try to become famous because it's really an interesting distraction and for five or six years it did the trick," he reflects.

In the midst of recording his third solo album - an indulgent epic double album he describes as "the most ambitious thing I've ever tried to do" - Hayes, 35, says failure and love helped him grow up.

After years of 'is he or isn't he' speculation, Hayes married his English boyfriend of two years, Richard Cullen on June 19.

"Love, Richard and our relationship have definitely mellowed me out," Hayes said.

He is my soul mate and our relationship has given me a newfound sense of bravery when it comes to being an artist."

Hayes decided to live in England before meeting Cullen, but says he would love to take him home to Australia to live one day.

But he admits, he is scared about any future outside the UK, where same sex marriages laws are much stricter, or non-existant.

"It's a scary thought because if we were together in Australia, Richard would have to apply for residence and I don't know if he would be granted it," he said.

I'd love to come home and I'd love to bring him home. I just have to have faith that government will do the right thing eventually.

The Too Close For Comfort DVD (Roadshow Video) is out now.

Return to Articles Menu Page

Return to Darren Hayes Fans Homepage