Hayes sheds kilos for album
By Jonathon Moran
Sydney

Date: 17/09/04

Former Savage Garden frontman Darren Hayes shed more than 16 kilos
for the release of his latest solo album.

Hayes, 32, is a self professed food lover and doesn't care much
about his weight.

"In between projects, I love putting on weight," Hayes said in
Sydney, promoting his second solo album - The Tension and the Spark.

"I love eating whatever I want to eat and not going to the gym and
when it comes time to put out a record I get into shape."

It took Hayes eight months to lose those extra kilos put on between
his first solo album - Spin - and the new one.

"I lost 35 pounds (16 kilograms)," he said.

"It wasn't fun (but) I don't think I am someone who has ever had a
weight problem."

Hayes describes The Tension and the Spark as an "electronic pop
record".

It features 13 songs, all co-written and produced by Hayes.

He said he had always been a songwriter but was never really given
much credit for that.

"It is really personal," he said.

"I think it is moody and probably experimental, certainly for a pop
artist or for a pop record."

After five years together, Savage Garden broke up in 2001.

Hayes and other co-founder Daniel Jones had two extremely successful
albums, Savage Garden and Affirmation, selling 20 million copies
worldwide.

Since then, Hayes has pursued his solo career while Jones has been
involved in studio and production work.

"I don't know if it has ever been my agenda to actually take out the
axe and sever that cord," Hayes said.

"I am proud of Savage Garden and let's face it, I will be singing
those songs for the rest of my life."

Savage Gardens biggest hits included Truly Madly Deeply, I Knew I
Loved You, The Animal Song and I Want You.

Hayes' new solo album was recorded, quite literally, in a bedroom in
London.

He said he decided to make the album at home in order to fully
explore a different level of artistic freedom.

"This record reminds me of the first ever Savage Garden record
because, like that, it was recorded in a vacuum, in a bedroom.

"And it was recorded from the position of an underdog. I felt
people's expectations for me on this record weren't that high and
that was a much better creative space to come from."

Hayes, who grew up in Brisbane and has spent much of the past eight
years living overseas, plans on returning home for a national tour
early next year.

"In keeping with everything on this record, it will be low key," he
said.

"It will be smaller venues. It is not a big pop show and involves me
standing there singing."

That's well over 2 stone he's lost!

[img]eek.gif[/img]

Janie xx