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They first met when Daniel had a band and needed a singer, so
he advertised in the paper in 1992, and Darren showed up!
After hearing Darren, Daniel knew he had hit the right
formula. Says Daniel, "We both knew it wasn't going to be
too long before we were writing songs together away from the
other guys in the band." Darren continues, "We were
both incredibly ambitious. We really connected that year and
there was a lot of positive energy and positive thinking in
terms of us getting together. I think Daniel and I just shared
a common goal, we were interested in the same kinds of music
and the way that we wanted a handle it was very similar."
They spent two years playing covers in
clubs and pubs around northern New South Wales (Australia) and
then made a conscious decision to devote themselves to music
full time in 1994, and started to write and sing their own
compositions. Quote Darren, "I was a kid who always did
really well in school. I was at uni, hopping between all sorts
of different degrees. So I think a lot of people were shocked
when I turned around and said, 'Hey, guess what? I', deferring
all my subjects and I'm going to be in a rock band!' In the
end my family were nothing but supportive, and now they're our
biggest fans. They keep every snippet of info on us."
Quote Daniel - "My parents knew it wouldn't be long
before we achieved something within music, but every now and
then, I think it scared the hell out of them that it's
actually happening, it's getting bigger every day and things
are really starting to open up - not just in this country but
overseas as well."
The two unknowns sent out a five-track demo to 150 manager and
record companies. Only 2 responded. One was John Wooddruff who
listened once to the tape and flew to Brisbane to sign them to
his management company JWM and publishing firm Rough Cut.
In 1995, when Woodruff approached major record companies, they
turned him down - over his deal, not the songs. He demanded
they sign the band for Australia and New Zealand only,
allowing him to sign with whom he liked internationally. The
majors prefer world deals. Woodruff ended up taking out a
second mortgage on his house to pay for the recording on the
first album.
As Darren also commented, "we literally decided we were
going to get a record deal. We never once stopped to think
about whether it would or wouldn't happen, or for that matter
how it would happen. On reflection that was pretty suicidal
really, so I guess we are just incredibly excited and thankful
to be at this point." Daniel picks up the story, "To
think that in the last year (1997), we have made a record with
someone as legendary as Charles Fisher (his debut albums
include Hoodoo Gurus, Air Supply, 1927) and then mix the
record with Chris Lord Algae, who's name we used to read on
the Stones cover and the like, is quite mind boggling for us.
John Woodruff's involvement (The Angels, Baby Animals, Diesel
etc) has been a great bonus, and then to see the early
reaction to the record; it's been like you have to pinch
yourself sometimes to see if you're awake."
The name "Savage Garden" came
from an Anne Rice novel (author of 'Interview With The
Vampire' trilogy). Quote Darren, "Anne talks about the
world as a savage garden. There are two levels. One is
beautiful but in the other, underneath, we're all savage
beasts. WE thought that was quite fitting - but we don't want
to sound too poncy. It's all just pop music!" Quote
Daniel, "Originally, we had about four names. Like
Dante's Inferno and Bliss. But every name we chose was already
taken - it was really frustrating."
So, SAVAGE GARDEN was created. Says Darren
- "We went into this expecting to succeed."
"It's only just the start", warns Daniel,
"We've got a long way to go and a lot to learn about our
craft and the business and I only hope that we continue to
encounter the good fortune that we have enjoyed so far. I
guess it's up to whether the people like our music now."
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