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Thanks to Isik for translating this into English for us. He wasn't sure of the date of the aritcle but thought it was in 2000. Please keep in mind when you are reading an article translated from another language there is room for interpretation so it may not be word for word.
POPULAR, BUT ALTERNATIVE
Their debut album in 1997 was a worldwide event. They had 5 successful singles such as, Truly Madly Deeply, Break Me Shake Me (i dont know why but they have a little crush on that song:) ) Savage Garden is back with their second album "Affirmation",so we had a little (!) chat with Darren. One more of my dreams has been fulfilled :)
-There are loads of bands out there but duos like yourselves are quite uncommon. How did you come up with this?
I met Daniel 8 years ago, in Australia...of course :) He was playing the guitar in a band, we didnt know each other then. As we got to know each other we became better friends. Then we started making music together, we went to France for a while. Finally we sent our demos to some record companies and here we are, interviewing with Turkey.
-Wasn't it hard for two young Australians to enter the worldwide music arena?
I know it sounds cliché but we believed in ourselves. I cant say we had a hard time, we had big dreams and the courage to reach them. I dont think it has anything to do with luck. I mean, we were successful not because we were lucky, but because we deserved it. Though success has loads of criteria who differs from person to person, i think we were successful.
-Did you have any musical training?
Not really, nothing special. You know,i only had the general music knowledge given in schools.
-Is there anyone in your family who is into music?
I dont, though Daniels family is quite into music. His brother is a songwriter, his cousins can play loads of insturments. Im not that lucky in that sense.
-What were you upto before you took up music as a career?
I was in university before i met Daniel. You know, if i was to graduate from that school and we didnt stick together with Daniel, id be teaching in a Catholic school. Apart from that, i worked in a video retail shop when i was a student. Before that, i was selling pop corn in the front door of a cinema! Now i look back and say "those were damn good days" :)
-Your style is actually pop music. But you like to use tunes like rock and techno as well. Do you think Savage Garden is an alternative name among the pop bands?
We dont really have such a claim. We are especially said to be alternative to what is 'mainstream'. The main thing is music. What i lived that day, that moment, they suddenly become lyrics for a beautiful song.
-What kind of music are you doing then?
Generally we are doing popular music. Not in the sense of following them, though, i appreciate Eurythmics quite much.
-Your first album sold 11 million worldwide and it had 5 great singles. How does the sales of 'Affirmation' go?
It hasn't been long since its out, though I hear its around 5 million. Truth is im not really interested in it so much. We made this album after a long and fun period. I think we accomplished what we had in mind.
-I, too, think your last album was really good. But I couldnt see a song like "Break Me Shake Me", with such a progressive sound in 'Affirmation'. Are you getting closer to the classic pop sound?
I cant say so. Compared to our first album, 'Affirmation' is more emotional, it reflects more of our inner worlds. Thats probably why the sound is softer that the first one. It a little about the term you are going through actually. Everything in the album reflects the things that you are going through naturally.
-Where was the album recorded by the way?
The songs were written in NY and Australia. The recording was mostly in San Francisco.
-You worked with Grammy winning producer Walter Afanasieff on this album. He is known to be a very disciplined person. How did you do?
Walter works really seriously and concentrated, but i guess thats the key to his success. We didn't have any problems because we sticked with the schedule and we wanted this album to be perfect, so did he. I hope to work with him in the future.
-Which song is your favorite in the album.
Crash and Burn. Absolutely. This song is going to be the second single after 'I Knew I Loved You', we are just finished with the video.
-Kevin Bray shot your first single. Is it him again?
No, a young Israeli director shot this one.
-What is your inspration by the way?
I guess Daniel and i have different inspirations. I'm obsessed with 80's pop. Daniel is obsessed with radio channels, hahaha
-How is music industry in your homeland lately?
I've been away from Australia for two years now. But i can say that Australia has a potential in music. Loads of talented young musicians live there and these people don't want to waste this talent. Though, if you want to do something big, you have to leave Australia.
-You did so by moving to Manhattan. Do you still live there?
No, I live in San Francisco and god I love this city.
-Animal song was in the soundtrack album of "The Other Sister". Do you have any plans for another soundtrack?
No, nothing i know of. There is a huge difference between making music for someone else and doing your own thing. We are not firm on it though its not really attractive either.
-When do you start working for the third album?
We are beginning to work on the third one on april, in Japan. I think it will over by October. We shall wait and see what time has to bring.
-What do you usually do apart from music?
I love to cook, especially for my friends. Apart from that i have simple hobbies like watching video or going to cinema. We have enough of excitement in our lives because of our job. We travel a lot and we are usually tired :) Because of that i rather do simple things in my free time.
-Its obvious that you give a lot of importance to lyrics. Lyrics are really deep, only someone living the life to its fullest could write such stuff.
Yes i really try to live my life. I try to appreciate every moment, even a simple lunch :) Did you watch "American Beauty"?
-Yes and i should say i loved it.
See, i feel like that guy. Im always close to an emotional 'bang'. And im quite happy to be so :)
-Thanks Darren, say hi to Daniel for us :)
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