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Hi everyone,
So, here I am, sitting on a plane bound for New York City.. bored out
of my brain. I've read every magazine there is to read and they have just
started screening DEEP END OF THE OCEAN.. the worst film I have ever seen
(am I allowed to say that????). Darren is sitting beside me, completely
ignoring me, and utterly immersed in the cd he is listening to on his
monstrous earphones. They're as large as the hairstyles the leading ladies
of Star Wars seemed to favor. I am told that they produce a much better
sound than the pre 1970 earplugs I still have on my walkman. One can only
assume that pop stars know a lot more about these things than we do.
Anyway, we've been flying for about three hours now and
I have tried countless ways to convince Darren that I am more interesting
than any cd he could POSSIBLY be listening to! I have given him every
face imaginable (eg. the, you are hurting my feelings because you are
ignoring me face; the, I have so much to talk to you about and you are
ignoring me face; the, turn the frickin cd player off I'm bored face,
and my particular favourite.. the, if you stop playing music and talk
to me we can go through your credit card statements face). All to no avail!!
FINALLY, I realized that he was listening to AFFIRMATION!!! He received
a copy of it just before we left Wallyworld studios for the airport. Our
favorite engineer Kent had stayed up all night to ensure that he had a
listening copy of the album for the flight. Today is the first time that
he has heard all of the songs, fully mixed, and in the sequence they will
appear on the album. He is smiling, which I'm deducing is a good sign.
Anyway, luckily for you this respite in the conversation
has afforded me the opportunity to get this weeks update to you on time
(hey.. it may even be ahead of schedule!).
Last week was a bittersweet one as it was the very very last week of the
album recording. I noticed that towards the end of the week Darren was
getting a little quieter, and a lot more thoughtful. He had already started
reflecting on the experience that he had just been through, the wonderful
people that he met and the album that he and Daniel, with the help of
Walter and a plethora of talented individuals, have created.
On Thursday night, Darren (and Daniel.. in spirit, even
though he wasn't there in person) took all of the studio staff and their
partners out for dinner to a lovely restaurant in Larkspur, called the
Lark Creek Inn. It was a beautiful night and a chance for the guys to
thank everyone for their hard work and for the extremely long hours they
put in at the studio (it also served as an apology to their, often at
home alone, partners for the very same reasons!) Darren made a speech,
as did Walter... who said that producing AFFIRMATION has been the professional
highlight of his career.. which is quite a statement considering the career
he has enjoyed!
You will notice, that even though we had no digital cameras
of our own to use due to the fire (which from here on in shall be referred
to as the 'I've Melted Two Expensive Digital Cameras And I Can't Believe
I Still Have A Job Tragedy'), we managed to beg, borrow and steal the
use of one to bring you this weeks photos. I have included photos from
the dinner.. so you can all feel like you were also there!
Meanwhile.. on the OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD.. Daniel is doing what he loves
best.. rehearsing the BAND!! And, I am extremely proud to say, that he
even managed to send me some photos of himself and the guys for this weeks
update. You have NO IDEA what a result that is! You will see by the pics
that Lee, Ben and Karl are all back for another leg of the Savage Garden
journey... As Darren is now based in the U.S he will be working with vocalists
from America. Anna will return singing backing vocals (she now lives in
Los Angeles...) and auditions are taking place for another local singer
and keyboard player. We'll keep you posted.
When I spoke with Daniel yesterday he told me that the band are sounding
great, and that they have picked up the new songs extremely quickly. He
also told me (and I'm sure you are all dying to know).. that he had a
great time on his birthday and managed to spend it with friends and family
that he had not seen for awhile. Actually, this was the first birthday
Daniel had celebrated in Australia in four years.. so needless to say
the celebrations were long overdue.
So.. what are we going to do in New York you ask?
Darren is starting to do some long lead press for the international media.
Although the album is not released yet...he is doing interviews for magazines
that need 1 to 3 months preparation time to get stories to print. So this
often involves meeting the press much earlier than normal. He'll play
journalists tracks from the album..do some t.v interviews and attend a
few public events (it's male fashion week in NYC..., plus we get to go
to a movie premiere or two, which of course makes me feel very fabulous
and sooo Manhattan!)
It's probably a good time to start explaining to you the changing roles
of Savage Garden. You'll notice Daniel is hard at work rehearsing the
band in Australia...and Darren is on his way to meet the media alone in
NYC. The guys have decided to split their duties a little more rigidly
on this album. The truth of the matter is...Daniel is more comfortable
in the studio and on stage..and would rather have Darren be the more public
face of the band. Daniel will obviously appear in videos and tour with
the band...but for AFFIRMATION you'll see a lot more of Darren when it
comes to discussions with the press. It has taken a lot of pressure off
the band as it is allowing the guys to do what they do best. As you can
imagine....Darren has very little patience for sitting in dark rooms...fiddling
with computers and arranging the band...and likewise...Daniel would just
as soon write a new piece of music than explain the details of his life
to a journalist. They both understand that there is a natural interest
in all things Savage Garden by those of you who enjoy the music..so this
is their solution.
We're telling you this now...because when you start seeing solo pictures
of Darren...doing press and being more public...we don't want you to go
running and screaming to the bulletin board with rumors of a band break
up...or worse!!...claiming that Darren has become an egomaniac!!! This
is definitely a band decision. The guys ask that you understand this is
the best way for them to remain sane..happy and charged up, ready to give
you what you ultimately ask for....THE MUSIC.
Darren was a little concerned that it might appear he is hogging the limelight..but
rest assured..it's been a band joke for a long time now that Darren doesn't
take a step forward in front of Daniel...often... Daniel chooses to take
a step back. The guys are very close and have decided to be more honest
about their roles so that you understand.
I know what you are REALLY wondering at this point..... DON'T WORRY ABOUT
DARREN AND DANIELS ROLES!!! The question on our lips is.... 'Will Leonie's
role as the PA from hell be any different?". Calm down ..... it will
(thankfully) remain unchanged. And, in fact, if Daniel ever so desires...I'm
more than happy to take on his responsibilities as media superstar!
And in saying all of this, I think now is a good time to try and cajole
Darren onto this update so that he can say hello to you. TRUST ME.. it
is only when I have him in a confined space, such as an airplane, that
I can make him sit still for long enough to do anything I ask (plus he
knows that when I have finished this I will be back onto the credit card
statements.. so he is happy to put THAT off for as long as possible).
Anyway.. I'm going to hand you over to Mr Hayes now......
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"Hello! Isn't she funny? I spend all my spare time laughing at/with/about
Leonie! Hahha.. No seriously...although this will dispel some of the magic...I
have to tell you that Leo is MUCH more dramatic than any situation actually
demands. She hasn't ONCE been in danger of losing her job. I'm going to
get all mushy here and tell you that she is one of Daniel's and my dearest
friends..she's been the most enthusiastic and loyal person we ever worked
with...and we just insist on dragging her around the world, sucking up
her talent and energy and basically having her entertain us all. She's
much more capable than she'll admit...I think the drama just makes her
appear even MORE interesting!!!
Anyway...she just hit me and said..:"Talk about the album.."
So I will briefly. I just love it. For really personal reasons...it has
just been the most wonderful experience to make. I have become great friends
with Walter and his staff..fallen in love with the city and basically
refreshed my soul. At the moment the album is so new to me that I'm actually
enjoying listening to it...getting to know it like a new friend. I'm glad
Leonie mentioned the whole Darren and Daniel media thing because sometimes
I feel people think I purposely seek more attention than Dan...but it's
so not like that. We both understand that there are jobs to be done apart
from making the music. I just find this part easier. If you all love Dan,
like I do, you'll support him in his decision to concentrate more on the
mechanics of getting our music up and running... He'll always be there...on
tour..in vids etc...just not in your faces every five minutes.
Um...I'm really dying to talk about the specifics of each song...to talk
about the sounds...the meanings...the journey...but It's WAY too early.
I just hope you like the single...and we'll take it from there. Thanks
for being so amazingly supportive...and not digging too deeply into the
whole gossipy sleazy tabloid world of most other bulletin boards. This
has been as exciting for us to talk about it all as it has been for you
to listen. Let's keep it that way! I better go. They're serving cookies!
xxxDarren
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Hi.. I'm back.. but just briefly. I can feel that the plane is on the
descent into New York and I don't want my laptop to interfere with the
electronics... we don't want Darren to end up in Alaska... (personally,
I wouldn't mind too much.. but I'm not sure how fabulous you can be in
Alaska!).
Plus, and I'm sorry to make you jealous... Darren has just handed me the
headphones so that I can listen to the last song he recorded.
Hmmmm.... it really does sound better through these Princess Amidala headphones.....
Until next week.
Leonie
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