By Santi Pintado
"Dolly" Magazine, August 1997

They're the No.1 band in Australia, they're hitting it big overseas and one of them is looking for love! Santi Pintado goes to the moon and back with Darren Hayes and Daniel Jones to find out all about SAVAGE GARDEN...

How did you guys meet?

Darren: Five years ago, Daniel put an ad in a music mag for a singer - I answered it. Daniel has been in bands since he was 14 and this is the first I've been in. I was the last of 20 people to sing at the auditions and needless to say, they were all kind of disappointing. I went in there, sang, and it just sort of happened. We clicked on a personal level more than anything and here we are today.

You both live in Brisbane, but not together, right?

Daniel: Yeah, I read that somewhere too!
Darren: Someone said we lived together in Sydney but I think they meant when we recorded the album, because we shared a flat in Sydney for about eight months.
Daniel: In Brisbane we live as far away as possible from each other. (laughs)

Who's the better dancer?

Daniel: I'd have to say Darren, by far.
Darren: Oh, I would've said you! I don't think either of us are good. I did go through a brief period in the late '80's when I thought I was a better dancer than I actually was. There's an episode of Seinfeld when Elaine goes through this very same crisis. You assume you've possibly the world's greatest dancer, smoking it up on the dance floor, and then you realize when you see your friend's 21st video that you're not quite as good as you thought.

Were you surprised when your first single I WANT YOU took off?

Darren: I'd have to say, no - and that's because when you go for something like this, you put a lot on the line and we both sacrificed a lot, whatever it took to do this. We went broke, so I guess we went into it expecting to succeed and when it does happen, it's pure shock!

Where's the weirdest place you've been recognized?

Darren: There's this place in Brisbane mall and every time I go there, I'm usually eating a big kebab and have falafel coming out of every orifice, and someone goes "You're that guy from that band!" and I'm looking SOOOO attractive!

Would you rather hang out with the "Friends" gang or investigate "The X-Files" with Scully and Mulder?

Daniel: Definitely investigate The X-Files
Darren: I find Scully extremely sexy but I'd have to say hang out with the Friends gang because I'd be closer to Courtney Cox, who's a babe. I like the episode when she's this fitness freak going "We're fit, we're fit."

Out of these hip girls, who would you want as a third member of SAVAGE GARDEN: Alanis Morissette, Gwen Stefani, Whigfield or Madonna?

Darren: OK, can I just say right now, I'd get Whigfield and put her in one of those trash compactors. I hate that song!
Daniel: I'd go for Alanis. I reckon she's got a lot of spunk. She's cool, she's tough and she's got a lot of style.
Darren: I'd go for Madonna. Absolutely, love the Maddy.

Which Spice Girl would you pick?

Daniel: I have no idea which is which.
Darren: Probably the one with Pigs in Space pigtails. No, I'd put them all in the same trash compactor as Whigfield.

What's the worst pick up line a girl has ever used on you?

Daniel: "I lead, you follow." I said "OK" and walked out of the club (laughs)
Darren: "I can't understand a single word you're saying but when you sing I get tingles all over my body."

Do either of you have a girlfriend at the moment?

Daniel: I have lots of girlfriends but I'm always open for more. (laughs)
Darren: Let's just say that there is definitely a woman in my life.

What's the most romantic thing you've done for a girl?

Daniel: Spent a weekend away at a resort with lots of flowers.
Darren: I climbed over a balcony at night and believe me, that's a big feat because I'm not the physical type.

How do you know you're in love?

Darren: When you're willing to sacrifice something that's really important.
Daniel: When you seem disillusioned and your heart kicks in, your mind takes a back seat, and you do stupid things and no-one can work out why you love her.

What's one thing you'll never understand about the female sex?

Daniel: Why they get moody every month. (laughs) No, let's not go there!
Darren: I think it's the fact that they're usually right about everything. And as much as I'm killing my male reputation here, they do come up with the goods.

Ho much do you guys argue?

Daniel: Not a lot. About three times in the last five years. That's not too bad.
Darren: We work so intensely together, we have a survival mechanism where we really don't spend a lot of time together outside work.

Do you have to be in a certain mood to write a song?

Daniel: I've got to be left alone for at least a couple of hours before a idea comes. So it's going to be scary writing the second album - the phone just doesn't stop ringing!