<Dish_Diva> Welcome to tonight's chat with Darren Hayes of Savage Garden. Darren's new CD "Affirmation" premieres next month. 

<Dish_Diva> Darren, welcome to MSN! Congratulations on your new single! It's fabulous! Well, there are a lot of fans here, so let's get started! 

<Darren_Hayes> I'm thrilled out of my brain to be here.. I'm more excited than you are! 

<Dish_Diva> Cosette says: I'd like to ask if the worldwide release of Affirmation will be Enhanced or have an interview disk. Thanks! 

<Darren_Hayes> Cosette: Its only the Australian version that has CD Rom component and an extra track. 

<Darren_Hayes> n Japan there is a small commponent... plus a bonus track, but it's different than Australia. 

<Dish_Diva> heather3 saysa: Can you tell us the mood of "Affirmations"? I LOVE YOU! 

<Darren_Hayes> heather, Thank you, I love you too. Affirmation is beautifully sad, It is about relationships,it is very personal. It's an album about accepting that life presents you with struggles.. 

<Darren_Hayes> sometimes we fall down but we get back up again and we're stronger for it. 

<Dish_Diva> BJ says: When is "Affirmation" coming out? 

<Darren_Hayes> BJ, November 9 in the U.S. and October 25 I think in the rest of the world. It's all on the website. I just make the art guys. 

<Dish_Diva> mag4daz says: How do u feel like when you are on the stage and you see all these people in front of you who love you so much? 

<Darren_Hayes> mag4daz, you know the first time around I didn't open my eyes alot.. 

<Darren_Hayes> and I was very shocked to see the support and the love... 

<Darren_Hayes> the last couple of years have amazing... 

<Darren_Hayes> its been a bit tough personally... but fan letters and support and interest on the Internet has been such a warm relief for me... 

<Darren_Hayes> I feel touched and honored.. and this time I'm making an effort to open my eyes and take it all in. 

<Dish_Diva> violetfly says: When discussing the debut album, you said that you felt your sound would follow in the vein of "Carry On Dancing" and "Mine"; do you think Affirmation has done that? 

<Darren_Hayes> violetfly: Its very moody and its a bit deceptive because the first songs are quite poppy... 

<Darren_Hayes> I used to listen to the comments made on BBS about I Knew I loved You ..and may were concerned it was aboy band record.. but the reality is I Knew I Loved You is the only song that sounds like that.. 

<Darren_Hayes> its the only happy "up" naive love song.. that goes to a lot of dark places. 

<Darren_Hayes> If you liked "Mine" you'll love "Gunning Down Romance" 

<Dish_Diva> TMD says: Hi Darren! What has been different in writing Affirmation than your first record? 

<Darren_Hayes> TMD: Logistically Daniel and I were in two separate places.. he'd send me disks and I'd record lyrics to instrumentals. Its a more personal record than the first one and we had more money and time to spend which you can hear. 

<Darren_Hayes> IT stil sounds like Savage Garden with a sense of melanocholy and atmospheric. 

<Dish_Diva> Ashley says: On the new album, which song means to most to you personally? 

<Darren_Hayes> Ashley, Thats a tough one, its such a personal record.. I'd say my favorite songs include Affirmation, I Don't Know You Anymore, and The Lover After Me. 

<Dish_Diva> Lil_Princess says: I loved the "Cherry Cola" song, how did you sing so fast? 

<Darren_Hayes> Lil_Princess, Its called studio technology and I learned the hard way when we went on tour for 8 months.. lots of breathing.. do aerobics. 

<Dish_Diva> daBomb says: When are you planning to do a tour of the States and Britian? 

<Darren_Hayes> daBomb: We won't be touring until summer 2000.. we are just about to head out on an endless promotion run which takes us everywehre. We'll have a short break for Christmas.. 

<Darren_Hayes> we plan to tour Australia in March and the rest of the world after. 

<Dish_Diva> rainey says: What TV shows will you be appearing on? 

<Darren_Hayes> rainey, pretty much everyone you can imagine in America. We'll be on MTV TRL ... in November Rosie.. The View.. CNN Live, Top of the Pops in the UK.. Hit Machine in France, Hey Hey it's Saturday... you name it.. we're booked on it. 

<Dish_Diva> Ashley says: Do you read the bulletin board on your website? If so, some of the posts must be quite funny to you :o). 

<Darren_Hayes> Ashley, sometimes I read the bulletin board.s.....I have to be honest guys, it's kind of damaging to my self esteeem sometimes... 

<Darren_Hayes> I respect that its your world and you should be able to say what you want to say... but... 

<Darren_Hayes> if you think you have a hair obsession..... 

<Darren_Hayes> I've been questioning my hair lately! 

<Darren_Hayes> The support on the website blows me away.. I feel undeserving sometimes... and can't wait to go out on tour and thank everyone personally. 

<Dish_Diva> Ultravioletsky says: I can't wait to see SG on Rosie on Nov11 can you tell us which song you're performing and if there will be an interview or not? 

<Darren_Hayes> Ultra, we will be performing "I Knew I Loved You" for Rosie and most likely we will have a small chat.. because we love her and she loves us... 

<Darren_Hayes> I've recorded a Christmas song for Rosies album.. and there's a special with me, Celion Dion, NSYNC, and I think I"m recording that soon.. 

<Darren_Hayes> Its a record for charity.. and its going to help children everywhere.. so you should really check it out. 

<Dish_Diva> davids_lover says: how did you think of the name savage garden? 

<Darren_Hayes> davids lover, this is the oldest question .. I think everybody knows.. CN Rice 

<Dish_Diva> sabraina_93021 says: what is the weirdest thing anyone has ever done to get closer to you or meet you? what was your reaction? I LOVE YOU! 

<Darren_Hayes> sabraina, I think everyone knows.. it was the fan in Singapore who sprayed me in the face with a water pistol... 

<Dish_Diva> Amandabug says: Darren, are you guys booked for Saturday Night Live? 

<Darren_Hayes> Amandabug, Nina, our stylist works for SNL, and I'm obsessed with the show.. so between the two of us I think that's going to happen pretty soon. 

<Dish_Diva> Moon_owl says: Hey Darren! How long have you had your Darth Vader phone? I love it! 

<Darren_Hayes> Moon, Darth Vader was a present from my manager Larry last year.. I've just  bought my first home and I dusted off my phone from the attic and it takes pride and joy in my bedroom wing.. and yes it is a wing, folks! 

<Dish_Diva> karyn says: What's the weirdest thing that has ever been thrown on stage? 

<Darren_Hayes> karyn, I would say the weirdest things are harmful things like empty bottles.. you don't have to be Yoda to figure out a bottle hurts... chuppa chupps... but you have to be careful... or soft toys. 

[<Dish_Diva> Tangodess says: Hi darren how hard has it been leaving Taylor and the rest of your fam for months at a time.How do you survive? 

<Darren_Hayes> Rather than spend money on soft animals or toys.. if you want to make me happy.. donate those to hospitals or throw a Dollar on the stage telling me you've donated $1 charity.. and that would make me h appier than any gift you could give me. 

<Darren_Hayes> I adore her.. and she will always be my soulmate but we're not married anymore. We talk on the phone every other day.. and we have Oola and Obi... we share joint custody of our cocker spaniels.. 

<Darren_Hayes> I go to Brisbane more than you would know.. and I often fly my family out to see me... 

<Darren_Hayes> My sister just left and my brother and sister in law and new baby will be out in November 

<Dish_Diva> Sherry30 says: Darren have you gotten the chance to visit Skywalker Ranch? 

<Darren_Hayes> Sherry, I am constantly six degrees of separation from Madonna, Michael Jackson and Lucas... 

<Darren_Hayes> George Lucas is good friends with Walter .. who produced our album.. 

<Darren_Hayes> My trainer is LUcas's trainer.. and recently Lucas daughter recquested an audience with me. 

<Darren_Hayes> I saw the new Star Wars with Lucas... the first screening.... and I don't want to overstay my welcome. I've been to the ranch a few times.. its about 20 minutes away... possibly why I moved to San Francisco... 

<Darren_Hayes> and George, if you're listening, I do want to audition for the second film. 

<Dish_Diva> Savagebabe_23 says: Darren how could you describe the new album to us in 3
words? 

<Darren_Hayes> Savagebabe, Bittersweet, sad, beautiful. 

<Dish_Diva> Utopia says: What is the voice in I Want you saying? Is it in Latin? 

<Darren_Hayes> Utopia it's in Latin and we have no idea... I suspect it was saying "Buy this record now" 

<Dish_Diva> kitten says: What do you like to do in your spare time when you have any? 

<Darren_Hayes> kitten, simple things I love going to restaurants... 

<Darren_Hayes> just relaxing.. I really enjoy fitness so I go to the gym a lot.. and I'm completely aware I don't look like Brad Pitt... 

<Darren_Hayes> recently I've taken up hiking... 

<Darren_Hayes> I have a friend who takes me hiking in Marin COunty... 

<Darren_Hayes> Also, decorating my house.. I've had fun buying furniture and making my own 

<Dish_Diva> TMD says: Hi Darren! What do you think about the new Star War movie? :) 

<Darren_Hayes> TMD: I loved it. I think like the first trilogy it will get better, but I'm definitely a Jar Jar Binks supporter and I do a mean impression. 

<Dish_Diva> Wendolyn says: Do people recgonize you often in public, Darren? =) 

<Darren_Hayes> Wendolyn, I think around the time of Truly Madly Deeply going to #1 in America.. I got recognized a bit... 

<Darren_Hayes> I have no delusions about my level of celebrity.. I'm not Michael Jackson. 

<Dish_Diva> Anne says: Do you have an idol-? 

<Darren_Hayes> Anne, Colby. 

<Dish_Diva> TMD says: Hi Darren! Are you actively involved on the internet? 

<Darren_Hayes> TMD: I used to be .. no w I just use my laptop for checking email... 

<Darren_Hayes> I have this hell cool Mac Powerbook cola colored keys.. it rocks! 

<Darren_Hayes> Sometimes I lurk on the website.. I don't go to MIRC anymore. 

<Dish_Diva> hayesbabe says: darren are you still vegetarian? 

<Darren_Hayes> hayesbabe, no I was a vegetarian for 7 yrs.. I stopped eating meat because my body needed a break.. but during tour last year I got thin and weak... 

<Darren_Hayes> and when I started this album a trainer suggested I start eating white meat again.... 

<Dish_Diva> mariet says: Did you write your new video yourself? 

<Darren_Hayes> mariet: we worked in conjunction with the Director Kevin Bray, initially, I wanted it to be a romantic piece of film.. 

<Darren_Hayes> and we were looking at people like Kristen Dunst to play the person on the train... 

<Darren_Hayes> it was loosely based on Sliding Doors.. I just love it actually 

<Dish_Diva> chowderhead says: Any advice for future artists and singers out there? 

<Darren_Hayes> chowderhead: I say this all the time.. you have to ask if you really really want it.. because if you do you have to eat, breathe, sleep your dream.... 

<Darren_Hayes> its very competitive .. and its mostly opportunity.. like most things in life.. the reality is different than the dream... 

<Darren_Hayes> its exhaustive.. and I've definitely paid the price. 

<Dish_Diva> Parisa says: What will you be doing on New Year's Eve? 

<Darren_Hayes> Parisa... we were playing in a live concert in Sydney until the cheapskates decided they couldn't afford to pay us what we're worth.. <ha ha joking> 

<Darren_Hayes> I'll probably be at home with my family.. I've never been into New Years Eve anyway... its completely overrated. 

<Darren_Hayes> I also have a minor fear that it might all simultaneously explode. 

<Dish_Diva> Learn more about Savage Garden at http://www.savagegarden.com 

<Dish_Diva> Azrielle says: Hello Darren, if you could pick one favorite character from the Vampire Chronicals, who would it be? 

<Darren_Hayes> Azrielle, Louis, definitely. 

<Darren_Hayes> Although I'm probably Lestat. 

<Dish_Diva> ferretdreams says: Did he see Kirsten in "interview with a vampire"? 

<Dish_Diva> So there was karma on the set? 

<Darren_Hayes> I did but believe it or not I didn't make the connection until she was on the set..... until Kirsten asked me where we got the name of the band.. and I just said "Oh my God you wouldn't believe it" 

<Darren_Hayes> Yes.. definietly and Kirsten and I really connection.. she's the same sign as me... she's a Taurus... her favorite lyric was the same as mine.. 

<Darren_Hayes> it turned out that she agrees with the same spirituality as I do... 

<Darren_Hayes> I was very very nervous because I had to hold her h and and give her a kiss. 

<Dish_Diva> Sparketet says: Hey, Darren what's you favorite cartoon from childhood and now?

Darren_Hayes> Sparketet from childhood it would be G Force which was an animated superhero show.. and ScoopyDoo... 

<Darren_Hayes> Now Ren and Scimpy 

<Dish_Diva> Mommy says: Do you actualy write your own songs? 

<Darren_Hayes> Mommy: Daniel and I write everything 

<Dish_Diva> blackjedi says: If you could choose, which video was the most fun to make? 

<Darren_Hayes> blackjedi, The Animal Song by far 

<Dish_Diva> SavageMelly says: How is Daniel doing... I haven't head much about him lately??? 

<Darren_Hayes> Melly he's great.. I have to thank everybody for being very understanding
about the way he and I have shifted our roles slightly... 

<Darren_Hayes> the truth is.. its always been like this .. I'm more comfortable being a public figure ... 

<Darren_Hayes> the two of us want to make music for you.. and this is our way of doing that. 

<Dish_Diva> kristina says: I can't wait to see you on TRL tomorrow..Will you be premiering IKILY? 

<Darren_Hayes> kristina, I wish.. no we're just rocking on out to say h ello to you guys and play the video.. it'll be the first time MTV plays it 

<Dish_Diva> aliendave says: Darren, are you into video games at all? 

<Darren_Hayes> aliendave: I have to confess I have really bad hand to eye coordination so I'm hideous at things like tennis and video games.. but I do own every Star Wars video game produced.. and yes, I'm shocking at them. 

<Dish_Diva> Maya14 says: Hi Darren, My Name is Maya and i'm from Israel. I woke up at 15:00am just to chat with you... I have one question please. When are you gonna come to Israel? you have a lot of fan here, who are waiting for a concert. I can't wait for the new albom!GoodNight 

<Darren_Hayes> Maya, I would love to come to Israel for historical and religious reasons. Theres so many places I haven't been to y et.. I'd love to go to Africa, parts of Europe I haven't been to and the MIddle East fascinates me... 

<Darren_Hayes> a lot of it doesn't depend on us.. its dollar and cents.. our last tour we spent a lot of money.... but we didn't care.. we wanted to say thanks to all of our fans.. but be patient... and thanks. 

<Darren_Hayes> We're pretty much coming everywhere in the next 12 months. 

<Darren_Hayes> We've never really visited Latin America and we'll spend some time there. 

<Darren_Hayes> I'm obsessed with Brazil.. IT'S ALL ABOUT BRAZIL!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

<Dish_Diva> Lianne says: What is your fave Savage Garden song, and your fave non-Savage Garden song? 

<Darren_Hayes> Lianne, my favorite Savage song would "Gunning Down Romance".. my favorite non-Savage song .. gosh.. thats a hard one.. probably "This Woman's Work" by Kate Bush 

<Dish_Diva> Girlegirl says: Hi Darren, I think you guys rock! What was the song "to the moon and back" all about? 

<Darren_Hayes> Girlegirl, it was about divorce.. about a dear friend of mine who had a bad experience and blamed himself for his parents divorce.. teenage angst.. everyone has felt unattractive and felt they didn't fit in... 

<Dish_Diva> chicacherrycola2 says: Darren, do you miss living in Australia? 

<Darren_Hayes> chica: I don't really I just miss my family. I"m 27 and I've always lived fairly close to my family and being out of the country has given me more privacy and its let me work myself out.. I've enjoyed my time. I get lonely sometimes. 

<Darren_Hayes> I am so single and so happy about that. I was terrified to be single, I'd been in a relationship since I was 17 and never thought I could be alone.. but its not so bad. 

<Dish_Diva> Clemgrrrl says: Hi Darren!!! What is your favorite city you've been in and why? 

<Darren_Hayes> Clemgrrrl: I think New York is definitely up there.. but I love where I live at the moment, its a little town called.... 

<Darren_Hayes> Ha! As if I'd tell. 

<Darren_Hayes> hehehe 

<Dish_Diva> Ami-chan says: What is your favourite possesion? 

<Darren_Hayes> Ami-chan: Wow thats a really good question. I don't think there's a single object that I value that highly. My favorite things in life have been experience of love, family, memories. 

<Dish_Diva> Melena says: Darren who would be your dream woman? 

<Darren_Hayes> Melena, I had the dream woman. 

<Darren_Hayes> There is none higher. 

<Dish_Diva> shesk says: How was the mtv FANatic experience? 

<Darren_Hayes> shesk, actually it was a little disappointing to be honest. Because it was so quick and you didn't really get a chance to really meet the person. 

<Darren_Hayes> I was happy that i had inspired someone and thats why we met that girl... 

<Darren_Hayes> but I have to say we have a lot of sincere fans who aren't necessarily inot us because they want to date us.. 

<Darren_Hayes> they're into us cuz the must effects them.... 

<Darren_Hayes> I've had our music played at funerals, played during chemo therapy when they lose the battle... 

<Darren_Hayes> so its hard to define someone as your biggest fan. 

<Dish_Diva> slurpee_girl says: Darren, has fame changed the way your close friends and family see you? 

<Darren_Hayes> slurpee, sometimes. Fame has changed me too I'm sure. Sometimes I forget that my actions effect those around me.. and I mean me talking about my private life or using private experiences as inspirations for songs.. 

<Darren_Hayes> I realize my family and friends experience that without asking for it... 

<Darren_Hayes> and my family friends sometimes get a hard time.. people expect them to be millionaires... 

<Darren_Hayes> fame to me is a metaphor that God has used to teach me about myself.. I think its an elaborate journey designed to give me life lessons.. and maybe for you to take control of your life.. and learn. 

<Dish_Diva> Tonight's event will be moderated. If you have a question for Darren, of Savage Garden, whisper your question (just once) to a Q-host .Your question will be added to the queue. 

<Dish_Diva> Aussie Dream says: The songs you write are great!! Have you taken very many voice lessons? Your voice is fantastic! 

<Darren_Hayes> Aussie Dream, thank you very much. I n ever used to study voice at all.. I was just a kid who used to sing in the bathroom. 

<Darren_Hayes> About half way through the tour last year I started having problems with my voice... 

<Darren_Hayes> so I started seeing a voice coach.. and she's amazing.... I t hinkyou can hear the differnce... 

<Darren_Hayes> I have to tell you singing has an effect on me.. I feel it in my body its' almost a religious experience.. it's literally joy. 

<Dish_Diva> Kelly2 says: Darren, To the Moon and Back was the only reason I didn't kill myself, I want to say thank you so much for such a beautiful song, and I adore you. 

<Darren_Hayes> Kelly, I have gotten so many letters and had conversations with young girls especially with regards to that song.. and thats why I do these chats... 

<Darren_Hayes> I used to do chats to get comfort and attention.. but now I understand that its an important job to give people 5 minutes of peace in a chaotic world.. and to let you know you're not alone.. 

<Darren_Hayes> I feel the things you feel.. I deal in them in different ways... 

<Darren_Hayes> "Crash and Burn" is a lullaby to myself and reassurance to you.. saying that everybody hits rock bottom and thats okay.. 

<Darren_Hayes> thats what friends are for... 

<Darren_Hayes> you pick yourself and get going... 

<Darren_Hayes> we aren't designed to be happy 100% of gthe time and when you accept that...

<Darren_Hayes> you see highs and lows you put all together and you have memories. 

<Dish_Diva> Sophie says: What did you want to be when you grew up? Did you ever imagine you would be this famous? 

<Darren_Hayes> Sophie, I wanted to be a pop star.. I didn't think of being anything else, Perhaps C3P0.. I used to think I was MIchael Jackson and everybody wanted to be famous.. 

<Darren_Hayes> it stemmed from insecurities and the need to be loved. 

<Dish_Diva> SallySG says: Hi Darren!! first of all I wanna thank you sooo much for doing this chat! and, What's the biggest misconception people have about you? 

<Darren_Hayes> Sally, that I'm really serious and that I'm a complete ego maniac constantly stealing the attention from Daniel. First of all I'm an absolute zany nut case most of the time always impersonating people, things, sometimes, plants.. 

<Darren_Hayes> If I receive more attention its actually by default sometimes.. 

<Darren_Hayes> also, I think sometimes that Daniel and I have tension .. but we adore each other.. 

<Darren_Hayes> he's seriously like my brother, I love him more than you all do.. 

<Darren_Hayes> he's the most calming, insightful, intelligent person you'll ever meet. 

<Dish_Diva> Lindsey says: Could we get a hint as to what Two Beds and a Coffee Machine is about? :) 

<Darren_Hayes> Lindsey its actually a very serious song about domestic violence... 

<Darren_Hayes> cover your ears if you dont' want to hear this part... 

<Darren_Hayes> the lyric is describing a motel room with 2 beds and a coffee machine... 

<Darren_Hayes> I won't explain too much further because I want the story to unfold when you hear the song for the first time 

<Dish_Diva> mrs_daniel_jones says: I want to know what Savage Garden plans on doing later in life,after they leave sg or whatever...what are their future plans in life? 

<Darren_Hayes> I want to be a Dad. 

<Darren_Hayes> I might do a solo record one day... and I'm interested in s tudying more.. psychology or 

<Darren_Hayes> maybe write a novel or screenplay.. probably mostly I'd like to be a Dad. 

<Dish_Diva> CarlaM says: I have a question for Darren: Who name's the songs, you or Daniel? 

<Darren_Hayes> Carla, I write the lyrics so I write the names of the songs, Daniel is very generous in that he lets me put my tales all over his beautiful music. 

<Dish_Diva> aliendave says: What would you name your son, and what would you name a daughter? 

<Darren_Hayes> dave, I don't think I'd want to tell the world.. I don't know yet, I think you know when you look your child in the eyes for the first time... 

<Darren_Hayes> I think the last time I told someone a name... they named their dog. Hint: Daniel called his dog Jackson. 

<Dish_Diva> Garanwyn says: Will we be seeing you at the ARIA's? 

<Darren_Hayes> No, we'll be out of the country, unfortunately. But I think its time Australia had one without Savage Garden, even I"m getting bored with their attendance. 

<Dish_Diva> Wendolyn says: When you write a song, about how long does it take you? Is it very sudden - like you're inspired to suddenly create a song, or does it take a lot of thought? 

<Darren_Hayes> Both. Some songs are written in hours, sometimes weeks. 

<Darren_Hayes> I can tell you on this album, some of the songs were brewing for 6 months to a year... and sometimes at the studio literally at the grand piano. It just depends. 

<Dish_Diva> DayDreamer says: What does the title of this album mean to you? 

<Darren_Hayes> That it's all good. That life happens... in the end everything is okay. 

<Darren_Hayes> Its about acceptance and forgiveness, taking responsibility, letting go. 

<Dish_Diva> crichou says: What do you think about the fans on the Internet? 

<Darren_Hayes> crichou, I love them. I love them. 

<Darren_Hayes> I had a really tough year being out of the country and being alone and to come back from that time off to see the support you don't know how amazing that feel to have a complete stranger wish you love.. you have the ability to pick me up and make me feel like the luckiest man in the world... 

<Darren_Hayes> so I keep taking the challenge with music to take you places you don't know you want to go to yet. 

<Dish_Diva> Darren, last question is from Trishabelle who says: seeing that we are approaching the year 2000-what would you put in your time "capsule" as a keepsake from 1999? 

<Darren_Hayes> Wow... I'm very sentimentall I don't know if I could pick one item, my credit card statements. I went on a plane trip from SF to NY recently and I had to go over my spending for the last 12 months... 

<Darren_Hayes> 'every meal.. pair of socks, thumbtack.. .. they were all there. .. the good the bad the indifference. That pretty much summed up the whole year. 

<Darren_Hayes> It was scary because every meal every restaurant every skip of a heartbeat. 

<Dish_Diva> Darren, I know I speak for your fans in here who say thank you so very much for being with us tonight. You are truly a delight. It was a pleasure spending tonight with you. We wish you the best of luck with yoru new CD "Affirmation: which will be released in November. 

<Darren_Hayes> I can't sum it up in one sentence.. but thank you from the bottom of our hearts.. we love you.. you make it all worthwhile... Don't send presents.. spend the money on yourself or donate it to charity. Your support, your love, is priceless. Big Hugs and see you on tour. 

[22:05] Darren_Hayes [sysop_techzess@cpmsnchatb07] has left #StarLoft