12th October 2004 - Darren to visit Russia
Darren is back in London this week after spending the last two weeks in New York. The video for "Darkness" has been filmed and should be ready for us to see in the next fortnight!

Darren is off to Russia at the end of this week for four days. The main aim for his trip is to be a presenter at the MTV Russia Awards. The ceremony will be held at the Kremlin on October 16 2004.

While in Russia, Darren is expected to perform "Pop!ular" on MTV's TRL and interviews with Neon, Bravo, Hello, Play and Europa Plus. So keep an ear and an eye out for those.

NY Video Shoot
Darren is in New York today shooting the ‘Darkness’ video at an undisclosed location. While we can’t give out the location, we can say that the elements from the photo shoot that were used for the album packaging are being incorporated. Stay tuned for more information!
Posted on 07-10-04

Canadian Promo Tour Postponed
We have just been told that Darren's Promo tour to Canada next week has been postponed due to scheduling problems.

Darren is currently in New York and about to film the video for "Darkness" We will let you know when we have more news about the Canadian Promo Tour.
Posted on 10-02-04

New T-shirts available in the shop section!
Exciting News!!
We have some new POP!ular T-shirts available in our shop section. You can get them in a Classic T or Baby Doll Style.

Don't forget Members get a 25% Discount!

Check them out [Here]
Posted on 09-30-04

 

29th September 2004 - Darren In Mexico

Darren is in Mexico this week for some promotion.

During his time there he will be doing interviews with:

Best FM - Guadalajara
Best FM - Monterrey
D99 - Monterrey
Maxima FM - Guadalajara
Notimex
MTV
Alfa 91.3
Reforma

Keep an eye and ear out for these pre recorded interviews Darren will be doing while he is there!!


He is also doing the Alfa 91.3 18th Birthday Showcase on the 28th of September at 8.30pm

 

31st August 2004 - The Pulse PITP

Darren is will be performing in Bradford for "The Pulse" Party In The Park on Sunday September 5 at Myrtle Park in Bingley.
We can confirm that Darren is scheduled to appear onstage at 4.45pm
You can get ticketing information [Here]

22nd August 2004 - 'Pop!ular' debuts @ Number 3

Darren's first single 'Pop!ular' from his upcoming album 'The Tension And The Spark' has debuted on the ARIA charts in Australia at Number 3!
It also debuted at Number 1 on the dance charts.

Congratulations Darren.

18th August 2004 - Darren on 'Kyle and Jackie O'

Darren will be on the 'Kyle and Jackie O" program this afternoon on the Austereo network from 4pm.
The show is syndicated to these stations in Australia.

b105
2day fm
fox fm
SA fm
nx fm
Unfortunately none of these stations seem to stream online so only fans who live in the cities the show is being broadcast will be able to listen live.

17th August 2004 - Observer Music Monthly

DARREN HAYES
THE TENSION AND THE SPARK

You know Darren Hayes. He was in Savage Garden. No, wait! Come back! Because, quite unexpectedly, after 2002's underwhelming solo debut, Spin, Hayes’s second solo project is lyrically breathtaking and musically brilliant.

Lead single 'Popular' sets things up perfectly: it takes a sideways
glance at M's ‘Pop Muzik’ and throws up a sharp, funny and aggressive satire
on the pop industry. (I’m willing to sleep my way to the top/ I want to be pop! ...ular/ I don’t want to keep my feet on the ground’). Elsewhere we find songs like 'Hero' & 'Darkness' (‘So much time underground/ I guess my eyes adjusted to the lack of light’) seeming to address, quite bluntly, Darren’s experiences either of fame, or of love, or of both at once, with a voice quite unlike that of Hayes’ singer/songwriter peers.

And while the lyrics may suggest an unusual departure for the man whose
key role in the global pop pantheon is most often linked with the
schmaltz of Savage Garden hits like 'Truly Madly Deeply', even more
unexpected is how this album sounds. Written and produced by Hayes,
‘The Tension and the Spark’ is a brave foray into subtle, mellow
electronica. Even the ballads sound interesting. Parts of the
production hint at Fischerspooner and Kylie’s 'Slow', which may strike
those familiar with Hayes’s existing fanbase as being a foolhardy
leap. And yet, the melodies remain. Indeed this album is no folly and succeeds, often to the point of all out triumph, on its own terms.

***
Peter Robinson
OBSERVER MUSIC MONTHLY
15.08.04

 

17th August 2004 - HMV UK Review

HMV UK WEBSITE - REVIEW OF DARREN HAYES - THE TENSION AND THE SPARK

The former Savage Garden frontman hit the big time with his fantastic debut album ‘Spin’. With its mix of tenderness and rough edges it marked Darren out as a major new star, head and shoulders above the rest of the pop dross doing the rounds.

Darren’s been away for a while writing and recording his sophomore effort, but the wait is certainly worth it. ‘The Tension And The Spark’ is a far more mature piece of work which, at times, suggests that Hayes may well become the new George Michael. One listen to new single ‘Pop!ular’ proves the point. A funky track that features thought provoking lyrics on the nature of fame, it is one of the pop moments of 2004.

Elsewhere Darren has created an album that pulsates with sexy rhythms (‘I Like The Way’), majestic ballads (‘Dublin Sky’) and awe-inspiring experimentation (‘Void’), and never once disappoints.

Hayes is fast becoming one of the most interesting characters in music. His ability to adapt to numerous styles and create music way beyond the realms of most of his peers is quite an achievement and makes ‘The Tension And The Spark’ one of the most exciting pop albums of the year.

 

12th August 2004 - Darren in Denmark and Norway Next Week

Darren will be in Denmark and Norway next week. During the three day trip He will be performing live in Copenhagen for 'The Voice' radio's 20th Birthday Party, PARTY På PLÆNEN, on August 16th 2004 at Tivoli Gardens. Darren is scheduled to be onstage at 10.50pm.
More info can be found [Here]

The event is going to be filmed and broadcast at a later date in Sweden and Norway.

Darren will also be doing interviews in Copenhagen and Oslo for :
Rundfunk Magazine
Vi Unge
Ekstra Bladet
12-17
Sky Radio
Soren McGuire for P3
Radio Viborg
Radio ABC
Skala FM
Topp Magazine
VG

 

10th August 2004 - Album Release Date For UK

We have just received confirmation that the UK album release date for 'The Tension And The Spark' has been moved back one week.

The official release date for the UK is now September 13 2004

 

10th August 2004 - 'The Tension And The Spark' Album Cover

Fantastic News!! We have just received "The Tension And The Spark" album cover.
You can check it out [Here]´

10th August 2004 - GWR Balloon Festival Performance Time

Darren will be appearing at the GWR Balloon Festival in Bristol on the 12th of August 2004. We can confirm Darren will be onstage at 7.30pm and will sing three songs.

7th August 2004 - Simply The Best

Darren will be appearing on 'Simply The Best' on ITV1 in the UK on August 14 at 7.35pm
'Simply The Best' is a two hour prime time entertainment show presented by Phil Tufnell and Kristy Gallacher.
ITV1 Programming can be found [Here]

 

7th August 2004 - Sunglasses In 'Pop!ular'

We have had many requests for information about the type of sunglasses Darren is wearing in the 'Pop!ular' video that we just had to do some investigating and find out for you.

They are made by 55DSL, the model is called 'Cobretti'

You can check them out [Here]

 

6th August 2004 - GWR Acoustic peformances.

GWR 96.3fm will be broadcasting Darren doing his acoustic performances on August 11 at 10pm on 'Late Night Love'
These performances are amazing and a must for Darren fans.
You can find GWR [Here]

6th August 2004 - GWR interview with Darren

GWR 96.3 fm will be interviewing Darren on the breakfast show with Bush and Troy on August 9.

 

5th August 2004 - Pop!ular Number One!

We have just received the news that 'Pop!ular' has just climbed to the Number 1 position on 'Music Weeks' Commercial Club charts this week!

Other charts this week are:
MW Club Chart #3
DMC Club Chart #5
DMC Mainstream Chart #3

 

5th August 2004 - Pop!ular release date set back for UK

We have just received confirmation that 'Pop!ular' will be released in the UK on the 30th of August now.

 

2nd August 2004 - Vote For Darren

Fox FM are running a poll to see who was the favourite performances from the PITP this weekend. If you saw or heard the performance and would like to vote you can do so [Here]

 

2nd August 2004 - Australian 'Pop!ular' Single Released Week Early

We have just received confirmation that the Australian retail release of 'Pop!ular' is now going to be August 16 2004. This is one week ahead of the original release date.
Great news for Australian Fans!

 

1st August 2004 - Darren Is Fine

To Clarify rumours, Darren is fine and well.

He was indeed burned from boiling water from his VOCAL steamer,
which is a device he and most singers use to hydrate the voice
before performances.

The unit tipped over accidentally and Darren was treated for first
degree burns to his chest.

He is absolutely fine and will continue on his promotion schedule.
He extends his many thanks to the Glasgow Western and the Ambulance crewfor their assistance.

 

25th July 2004 - Pop!ular Ripe on Channel V

Pop!ular has been added as the "Ripe" clip of the week at Channel V in Australia!

 

25th July 2004 - Vote For Darren

Red Dragon are running a poll to see who your favourite artist was for the Red Dragon PITP in Cardiff on July 24 2004.
You can cast your vote for Darren [Here]

 

14th July 2004 - Pop!ular UK CD Cover!!! The CD cover for Darren's first single 'Pop!ular' have just been confirmed. You can view it [Here]

14th July 2004 - 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.

14th July 2004 - 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

 

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.

 

 

8th July 2004 - Darren To Attend 'Spiderman 2' Premier

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.

 

4th July 2004 - Review from almightyrecords.com


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
credibility 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.
www.almightyrecords.com [Here]

 

18th June 2004 - Online Chat Planned Soon!

We are in the process of planning a Fanclub chat with Darren very soon. When we have a confirmed date and time we will let you know. With the new single being released shortly and the album to follow, we are sure you have many questions you would love to ask Darren. We intend to schedule the chat to run for 45 minutes. Each full Member will be able to submit a question for Darren, and he will try and answer as many as possible in the time allocated.
Stay tuned for further information.

 

12th June 2004 - Release Date For "Popular"

We can now confirm that the first single from Darren's much anticipated solo Album "The Tension And The Spark" will be "Popular"
The following dates have been confirmed to us:

Popular to radio: 12th July.

Popular commercially released: 23rd August.

Album released: 6th September.

 

 

11th June 2004 - Darren Confirmed for BRMB Party In The Park

Darren has now been confirmed for the 94.5 BRMB FM Birmingham Party In The Park on Saturday 10th July at Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham. You can buy tickets via the BRMB website here

 

8th June 2004 - Album Photo Shoot

Darren has just completed the "Tension And The Spark" photo shoot in New York. The photos were taken on June 2 in New York's Peninsula Hotel with photographer Jeff Riedel. Jeff is an amazing photographer who has shot for Vogue and recently did Missy Elliott's "Under Construction" Cover. We are told that the images are incredible.

 

27th April 2004 - Darren to attend UK sessions

We are sorry this has taken so long to announce. Darren's schedule has just been finalised for May and we can confirm he will be attending the UK sessions for the listening parties.
We are sorry that the Aussies will be missing out, but we are sure you understand he cant be in two places at once.

 

24th April 2004 - London Venue Confirmed

London Listening Party Venue
This information applies to all venues:

PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE STUDIO AS THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY INFORMATION
ABOUT THE SESSIONS if you require any information please email myself or
the fanclub as ONLY we will be able to help you.

Entry from 11.30am with a view to starting at 12:00pm.
The Fan Session will be at 5.00pm.

Bags and coats must be left at the door and they can retrieved upon
departure.

ABSOLUTELY NO recording equipment/video equipment will be allowed.

CAMERAS will be allowed but digital cameras must not be used to film or
record the event only to take photographs.

London Party Venue

Whitfield Street Recording Studios
31-37 Whitfield Street,
London,
W1.

The nearest tube station is Goodge Street on the Northern Line which is
literally two minutes walk (right out of the station, first right on to
Goodge Street then right again on to Whitfield Street, the studio is
across the street).

 

22nd April 2004 - Manchester Venue Confirmed

We can now confirm the Venue for the Manchester Listening Parties.

Blueprint-Studios
39 Queen Street
Salford
Manchester
Lancs
M37DQ


PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE STUDIO TO ASK TO BE PUT ON THE GUEST LIST AS THEY WILL BE UNABLE TO HELP YOU.


http://www.blueprint-studios.com

Directions to Blueprint Studios by Rail & Foot
Travelling By Rail
Blueprint Studios is close to 3 main Manchester railway stations;

Piccadilly, Victoria and Salford Central.

From Piccadilly

Walk to Market Street in the centre of town and then follow the By Foot
directions below. From Victoria

Exit Victoria Station onto Deansgate/Chapel Street. Follow Chapel Street
to Blackfriars Road. Turn right onto Blackfriars Road continue upto the
Smart car showroom. Turn right onto Queen Street immediately after the
Smart car garage From Salford Central

Turn left out of the station onto New Bailey Street
At the traffic lights go right onto Chapel Street
At the next traffic lights turn left onto Blackfriars Road
Turn right onto Queen Street immediately after the Smart car garage
Blueprint Studios will be on your right hand side.


Travelling by Foot
From Market Street in Manchester City Centre:

Follow Market Street down to Deansgate, this should lead you past Marks
& Spencer on your right. When you get to Deansgate you should be in
front of the Renaissance Hotel (on the corner of Deansgate and
Blackfriars Road) Follow Blackfriars Road down past a set of traffic
lights until you see the Smart car showroom. Turn right onto Queen
Street immediately after the Smart car garage

For directions to the studio go here:

http://www.blueprint-studios.com/bps_contactus_map.ikml

 

22nd April 2004 - Sydney Venue Confirmed

We have now confirmed the Venue for the Sydney Listening parties.

Studios 301

2 Mitchell Road,
Alexandria,
Sydney

http://www.301.com.au/301sydney/data/welcome.php
PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE STUDIO TO ASK TO BE PUT ON THE GUEST LIST AS THEY WILL BE UNABLE TO HELP YOU.

Public Transport Directions can be found at:
http://www.131500.info/newJourney.asp

 

21st April 2004 - LP Photos

If anyone has any Listening Party pictures they would like to put up in the public section of our site, please email them to us and we will pop them up for you. Please include the City they are from.
fanmail@darrenhayesmusic.com

 

 

13th April 2004 - New York Venue Confirmed

The New York Venue for the Listening Party has now been confirmed.

Chung King Studios
170 Varick Street
New York NY 10013

Please DO NOT call the venue, if you have any questions, you can ask as a fanmail@darrenhayesmusic.com

Simple travel instructions can be found at www.mapquest.com

 

 

13th April 2004 - SF Listening Party Review Thanks to Catriona!

This album is entirely unlike ANYTHING you've heard before, not only from Darren, but from anybody! I was wracking my brain to come up with any sort of comparison to anything else...and I cannot! Overwhelmingly, painfully personal! And I do mean pain. There were a few tracks I found extremely difficult to listen to, not because of any unpleasant sound, but because of the terrible intimacy and closeness of the lyric content... There are some stories here, let me tell you. This man has been through a kind of personal emotional hell and he's translated it all here for us just as if we had been right there along with him. And that's what it feels like.

If you've been expecting a reworking of SG..... no. If you ever anticipated a reprise on SPIN... no! This is , in the man's own words... "Gothic"... and melodramatic... it runs an uneasy border between a caress and an assault and sometimes you don't know where one leaves off as the next begins.

I would not call this a "rock" album... although it does rock. I wouldn't deem it an alt album... although there is a place for some of it in alt radio. Admit, I have no idea what to call it!! The first single.... is a hard and deadly accurate edge of irony set against a novel, syncopated staccato lyric; It's about everything you DO NOT want to be in the fame game. It's astonishing.

All the vocals are set front and centre... beautifully executed but not over-done.... absolute honesty and believability is the main feeling you take from it.


It's the morning after...in rather more ways than one... and I have sorted through my mixed bag of thoughts and feelings about yesterday's listening session, and I wanted to share some of them with you. Indulge me a few moments?

This Is a privilege, you have no idea how this helps me...

Nothing you have imagined. That's what this album is. It sounds unlike anything you've heard before. It's the music Darren was always meant to create, in my mind... everything he's done before has conspired to bring him to this place. Which is a place, as far as I can determine, of , if not true happiness, then a kind of acceptance and serenity and yes, forgiveness.

Without actually knowing the events and life changes that led up to it, we can still share in it because of Darren's way of conveying those feelings. We all feel lost... we all have doubts... we all have moments when there is only dark. And with help, with friends, with understanding, we all get through it. Some of the songs will be hard to listen to... some of it is so intensely personal, it feels as if you're looking through a keyhole into another person's soul.

The sound itself? Unexpected. Total revolution. Up is down, back is forward... extraneous sounds come at you out of left field... his voice is better than it's ever been. The melodies are new and haunting and imbed themselves in your mind and don't want to leave. There is an electronic base, but NOT the chilly Euro-tech type of electronica you may be used to, from which the songs build with guitar and acoustic embellishment. And they sound.... like nothing you've ever heard. There are no love songs... even the songs that would appear to be love songs are not, but spiritual allegory. But in the end they're what you choose to take from them... and that has always been his strength. Darren is a communicator. And nowhere is this more apparent than on the new album.

I'm still overwhelmed... I think I'm going to stay that way for the foreseeable future. And you know... I'm fine with that. It's a very pleasant state. This was a most satisfying experience. I really want to say thank you to Leonie and Robert, Sharon, Tracey and Cindy and last but definitely not least... to Darren. For making it all work so wonderfully.

I'll add more as it comes back to me... still turning it over in my head and heart.

 

7th April 2004 - Registrations Are Closed

As mentioned previously, the Listening Parties are now Closed. Please don't contact the venues in a hope to get on the guest lists under any circumstances as they will be unable to help you.

 

6th April 2004 - Darren To Preview Album To Fans First

Darren Hayes new album 'The Tension And The Spark' is now complete and
as he readies himself for the launch of this latest work, he has
decided to preview the record for his fans, well in advance of anyone
else.

Although details of the record have been kept relatively quiet, while
Darren wrote, recorded and mixed the album in San Francisco and London,
playing it first for his fans is something that he's wanted to do from
the inception of the process some 12 months ago.

Starting April 10 in San Francisco, Hayes has organized a series of
listening parties for both fans and members of his street team where he
will personally play the record and take questions about the process
that has resulted in its delivery. The San Francisco event will be the
first of 7 exclusive listening sessions where the album will be played
in its entirety.

"It is ironic to me that the people who support you the most are often
the last in the loop in terms of news and hearing music. This is
something I wanted to do to say thanks to everyone who has stood by me
all these years and is prepared to come down the road and experience
this new twist in the journey of my career'.

Registration for the events was co-ordinated exclusively via the
internet through Darren's official fan club site,
www.darrenhayesmusic.com for his international street team members and
the fan community.

Although registration is now closed, the dates for the subsequent album
playback sessions is as follows:

San Francisco, USA - April 10
Indianapolis, USA - April 17
New York, USA - April 18
London, UK - May 1
Manchester, UK - May 2
Brisbane, Australia - May 1
Sydney, Australia - May 2

 

4th April 2004 - Insatiable Love

Grant Mcsleazy from MTV Europe's MTV Mash has done a really cool remix of Darren's 'Insatiable' mixed with Marilyn Manson's 'Tainted Love'
You can find it at www.mcsleazy.net
Darren absolutely loves it!

 9th March 2004 - Darren Records ELO's "Strange Magic"  

Darren has recorded a cover version of the E.L.O track 'Strange Magic'
for Director Tommy O'Haver's children's film 'Ella Enchanted' starring Anne Hathaway.

O'Haver had previously directed the video for Darren's single 'Strange
Relationship' so, this year Darren returned the favor by providing his voice for an update on the classic E.L.O track.

In North America, the soundtrack is available April 6 and the film
opens April 9

Those eager to get an indication of the direction of Darren's new album
will have to be patient. The track is not featured on his new album and will not be a single.

As Darren commented, "This was really a favor I did for a friend. It's a
children's film and although the music sounds nothing like the material I'm recording today I thought it might be nice to do something that my nieces and nephews”