Transcript of Darren's interview to MTV-Russia
October 26, 2002

(Thanks to our Russian street team leader, Tonia, for typing this up for us! The comments in brackets "[]" are Tonia's comments)

[Note: I really tryed to do a transcript of what *Darren* actually said, but due to the fact that interview was dubbed, I am only translating their translation back to English]

VJ: Coming soon... Darren Hayes played only one show in Moscow. But WHAT a show!

[show bits of I Miss You video]

VJ: Yes, it had finally happened - that thing which girls of two Russian capitals waited for so long. Guy with angelic voice, Darren Hayes, sang his romatnic songs at his shows in St.Petersburg and Moscow.

[shows bits from the concert - "Creepin Up On You", "Dirty", "Heart Attack", periodically switching to showing Lee, Tina and Andrew; during all interview they will be showing bits of show and videos here and there]

VJ: Last Sunday, there were not many men in State Kremlin Palace. Just imagine: several thousand of perfectly dressed girls on perfect English sang along with ex-Savage Garden member during the whole concert! It seems as Darren was satisfied with Russian part of the tour. So Hayes' "Too Close For Comfort World Tour" is going on, and Darren himself will stay in our hearts... and on video with interview of course!

[Darren was sitting on the sofa in his concert jeans and black t-shirt, with long-sleeved denim shirt above it. The interview was made right after the show, so Darren's hair was a bit wet]

VJ: So... Hi Darren! So how it was? How concerts here in Moscow and in St.Petersburg went?
Darren: Um... Russia in general has been very surrealistic to me. I dreamt to come here for whole my life... St.Petersburg was amazing, it was sold-out 10 000 arena, but... At the same time all those tragic events were happening and people were very sad and depressed. When we were going to fly to Moscow, we didn't even know whether our shows are going to be actually... Tickets stopped selling, because people were not sure about their own safety, and about whether I am arriving after all or not. Actually even half an hour before the performance I was not sure if we will go ahead. But the concert went ahead. And it was truly amazing. The atmosphere... It seemed to me there were electrical impulses of excitement everywhere. Everyone who came to this show are very brave people. And the only thing I can say, besides expressing my condolences [God, you must have seen Darren's face at that moment: he put his hand at his heart and his face was like he suddenly felt awful heartache] about what had happened [big-big eyes], is that I didn't want to cancel this show because I knew how long my fans waited for it. It took me several years to come here, and we were determined to make all those people smile.

VJ: What do you think about this idea: all Russian performers should do a big mixed concert and give their money for it to people who suffered in this tragedy?
Darren: Look... Of course charity is a very important part of our job, and it definitely should follow such events... But it is important not only to think about what had happened, but also just continue living. And the subject of our today's performance I'd say is... What had happened has had a big impact on everyone. But life goes on!

[they play a piece from press conference, when Darren enters the room, followed by Leonie, and sadly smiles for photocameras]
[then they play a bit of "Strange Relationship" video]

VJ: Tell us a couple of words about your album Spin. What are your favourite songs off the album, and which of them got the best response from the audience today?
Darren: [smiles] Well.... I think Strange Relationship was the most recognizable song today. Of course, Savage Garden had alot of hit-songs, which topped US charts, but I wanted to gain a success with my solo material. Spin is my first solo album. We'll see how people will like it.

[show bits of I Miss You video]

Darren: In other words... Now I'm trying to understand who I am as a performer out of the band. It seems that live shows go very well. And regarding my favourite song... It is "Good Enough". It won't be released as a single and probably won't become a hit, but it's still one of my favourite songs.

VJ: You know, I finally met someone who worked with Walter Afanasieff. I've always wanted to ask about him, and now I have this possibility... So tell me: who is Walter Afanasieff?
Darren: [a-ha, it seems that press conference in St.Petersburg was not forgotten! L!] He's genius. He's a true professional. Um... Strange enough... he's American with Russian roots... He was born in San Paulo: can you imagine yourself - his parents were Russian but he was born in San Paulo?! [Darren does funny face and starts to gesticulate lively - before this question he was sitting with all his appearence telling: "I'm so damn tired". He must have realized after St.Petersburg that Russians will keep asking him questions about walter and prepared long and detailed answer LOL]

[they show some photos of Walter]

[show bit's of Michael Jackson's "Bad"]

VJ: Now... Tell me what performers, what musicians influenced on your own music? At press conference you said it was Michael Jackson, but I'm sure there are more.
Darren: Um... I loved Michael as a kid... Yes, his music had a great impact on me, his albums impressed me and literally changed my life.

[while Darren says the names, they show little pieces of those performers' videos]

Darren: But it is also Prince, Eurithmics, U2... Early works of Fleetwood Mac...

VJ: Oh, I see you listen to different music...
Darren: Yeah! It was in childhood, and the same thing is now, I still love pop-music and still listen to Prince... Whoever... But... Um... From Daft Punk to Michael Jackson... Kylie Minouge, Amy Man, Sarah Macklahan (sp?), Stevie Nicks. You know, I love good songs, but I actually never follow... fashionable music... I can be indifferent to the whole musical style - and I would like just one song out of it. For example, when grange just appeared, I loved only one Nirvana's song. And I started to like hip-hop only because of Nelly.

[play bit of "Dilemma" of Nelly & Kelly]

VJ: What can you tell us about great Australians? Like Bee Gee's and AC/DC? Do you know them, have you meet them? They are very popular here it Russia, that's why I'm asking.
Darren: [smiles] Well... Actually I met Bee Gee's once...

VJ: Oh really?..
Darren: Well, it was not very important meeting or whatever...

VJ: Oh... no...?
Darren: No, I mean I like them... They are great but... Oh, by the way, the band which inspired me when I was a child was INXS.

[they show bit of INXS video]

VJ: Can you tell a couple of words for MTV-Russia viewers? Especially for female part of them. You know, they truly love you, adore you... You could make sure it yourself during today's concert!
[Darren does "THE FACE" (which I think basically says: "Oh well, and you too... Adult man, and still asking me about GIRLS. I'm bored"), lookes at his nails and interrupts VJ's ramblings about girls]
Darren: Look... Um... The only thing I can tell is that I loved experience I gained in Russia. I was dreaming about concerts in Russia, and I actually still can't believe we've here. I wish my visit here happened in happier times, but... Anyway, I convinced myself that Russia is amazing, vast, powerful country and I think that we've just touched only the top of iceberg... We've just started to discover your coutry for ourselves... Russian people are really beautiful, amazing and cordial. And I am very thankful for that. Thank you so much.

[they show a bit of "Dirty" live]

Darren: It's a News Block Weekly. Spasibo. ["spasibo" is "thank you" in Russian]

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