Savage Garden frontman talks openly about homosexuality, says music ‘saved’ him from depression

Darren Hayes, vocalist of Savage Gardenspoke for the first time to the magazine people openly about his homosexuality and who went through moments that almost “bordered on suicide”

After the duo Savage Garden disbanded in 2001, Darren Hayes broke up with his ex-wife colby taylor and declared himself gay. During this period, the vocalist stayed out of the spotlight and after almost a decade, he returned to making music.

“I would say my new album honestly saved my life. I was in a dark place, not understanding that, like my sexuality, my creative outlet is a part of who I am, and in denying that, I was denying an essential part of me.” says the australian musician

Second Hayesits biggest problems occurred during the height of the Savage Garden and that he had to “cultivate” a persona “built to protect him from years of bullying at school, denial and shame about his sexuality, and a mask to hide the mounting depression that would soon become overwhelming.”

At the time, the Savage Garden sold 26 million albums and hit number one on Billboard with two singles. The band was ready to go on a world tour.

However, no one knew that I was deeply unhappy, barely containing secrets that would soon devastate me emotionally and bring me to the brink of suicide at the height of my fame.”

After your band and your marriage broke up, Hayes says that he slept whole days due to depression and that his team often checked to see if he was still breathing.

Around 2002, Hayes began seeing a psychiatrist to help him deal with “the pain of his childhood and burgeoning sexuality”. The singer also says that the antidepressants were responsible for saving his life.

“As I have fully embraced myself in my art, I no longer feel ashamed of my sexuality or my mental health,” he said. “I speak openly about both because I believe they are connected, and in speaking about what we are most ashamed of, it is my hope that bringing light to sadness will drive away darkness. health as ‘a blessing, a gift and a curse’.”

Savage Garden

The band formed in 1993 in Australia achieved international success in the early 90’s and 2000’s. It is composed by vocalist Darren Hayes and the instrumentalist Daniel Jones.

With their first two albums, the duo topped the charts in Australia and sold over 20 million copies worldwide.