‘LET’S TRY BEING IN LOVE’
ANNOUNCED AS HEADLINE PERFORMER AT 2022 SYDNEY GAY & LESBIAN MARDI GRAS PARADE.
January 27, 2022
Iconic Australian musician Darren Hayes has today announced his first new music in a decade and the beginning of a brand new chapter of accomplishments. Leading with the effervescent new single ‘Let’s Try Being In Love’, Hayes strikes out strong with a reminder of his natural songwriting talent and charm.
More than a comeback, ‘Let’s Try Being In Love’ is a rebirth.
It signals that Hayes’ most personal music is around the corner. For the first time ever, his new project is entirely arranged, produced, composed and performed by Hayes himself, and the single teases an era that is set to represent Darren Hayes at his most artistically fulfilled.
Darren will return to Australia and celebrate his first live performance in a decade at the 2022 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade on March 5.
Tickets here
“I couldn’t be more excited to return to Australia to headline the 2022 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. Last year, I was in awe, along with the rest of the world, as Australians united and came together safely to celebrate our vibrant and resilient community. I decided in that moment, if this could happen again in 2022, I was going to do everything within my power to come home and celebrate with you. You can imagine how thrilled I am, truly, to have been chosen to close what I know will be an unforgettable and necessary night of pride and joy. I’m so looking forward to spending time together after so much time apart.”
Darren Hayes
A Special Announcement from Darren Hayes
“This Mardi Gras, an Australian queer icon returns home to join us for a night of celebration and pride. We’re incredibly pleased to have Darren Hayes join us as a headline performer for the 2022 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. Local fans have been waiting a long time for this, and we know the audience are going to love what he has planned for the night!”
Albert Kruger, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO
Inspired by queer icons like Patrick Cowley and Shep Pettibone (Madonna, George Michael), ‘Let’s Try Being In Love’ has the obvious romanticism threaded beautifully throughout, while 2017’s Call Me By Your Name also gave special inspiration for how Hayes approached this particular song. Thematically, ‘Let’s Try Being In Love’ (and the video in particular), serves as a reflection from a man on life, love, regret and realisation.
“I’ve been married to Richard (Cullen) for almost 17 years, I’m in this really comfortable place in my life. But at the same time at mid-life I’m grieving the fact I never got to celebrate who I really was at the period of my life where I was most famous.
“I look at this world we live in now where someone like Lil Nas X can push forward his true self, full of pride and self-love and have the chance to be loved for who he truly is. I was realising with great sadness that I didn’t get that experience. A lot of the time I was my most famous, I was deeply sad.”
Darren Hayes
The music video for ‘Let’s Try Being In Love’ adds further emotional depth to the song. Directed by Andrew Putschoegl, written and art directed by Darren Hayes, and starring Madeleine Coghlanand Scott Evans (brother of Hollywood star Chris Evans), the visual narrative follows Hayes’ character as he navigates two opposing sides of himself.
Astonishingly for the first time in his career he’s the love interest in his own clip – as well as sexual tension and bedroom scenes there’s a sweaty dance routine, inspired by New York’s ballroom culture and voguing.
“In the music video I’m looking back on that first period of my life where I’m married to a woman. I’m realising that in order to be free I have to destroy something beautiful and innocent. Scott’s character represents the freight train of my future sexuality and that’s gonna emerge no matter what.”
“I wanted to show I love the feminine in me, be proud of the gay me,” Darren says.
“There’s a dance scene that is so passionate, everything’s alive and thriving and blooming. That’s how I feel in general about music. And that’s a hugely sharp contrast to how I felt 10 years ago.
“I didn’t have plans to make music, it just kind of happened in a really wonderful, organic way. This whole period of being away from the public eye, taking time out was a choice.” Darren Hayes
Watch ‘Let’s Try Being In Love’
The release of ‘Let’s Try Being In Love’ at the beginning of this year kicks off a huge year for Hayes. 2022 marks Hayes’ 20th year as a solo recording artist, as well the 25th anniversary of Savage Garden’s acclaimed debut, self-titled album.
As one half of Savage Garden, Hayes has sold over 30 million records worldwide, and has been named one of Australia’s 50 Greatest Artists of All Time by Rolling Stone Australia and is also the recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to music as a songwriter and performer. Having sold out shows around the world, as well as some iconic venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Sydney Opera House and New York City’s Radio City Music Hall, Hayes’ status as an Australian music icon has simply continued to strengthen as years go by.
With more exciting announcements still to be revealed, ‘Let’s Try Being In Love’ is the perfect way to kick off this new chapter for not just Darren Hayes, but for the dedicated global fanbase who will celebrate this next phase too.
‘Let’s Try Being In Love’ is released via Powdered Sugar Productions on January 27th 2022
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