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Boy, Look at What You Can’t Have Now – Video



Boy, Look at What You Can’t Have Now / Outside Looking In – 7 Inch Single

A limited edition seven inch single on Deep red vinyl with download code.

Darren and Emma used to be in the worst two named bands in the history of UK indie.

Darren met Emma in Sheffield and told her he was suspicious of a band who all wore hats. Then her band all put hats on and went on stage.

They started a friendship based on short scale basses.

Darren started writing a song and thought the melody in the chorus sounded like something Emma might write and sing. To avoid legal action he asked her to sing on it.

During the recording session they aspired to make the record sound as much like Bryan Adams and Sporty Spice as possible. If it doesn’t sound like that, then they’ve failed. That was their only objective.

Emma told Darren it was the best guitar playing she had ever heard in her entire life. Ever. Bar none.

There’s a video too, where they both play cat’s cradle beside canals. The video is less like Bryan and Sporty.

There are rumours that Darren and Emma are now making an album of duets.

Full artwork featured on both sides…

BUY THE SEVEN INCH HERE…


Or buy the downloads from Bandcamp

Buy the downloads for just a couple of quid here…

Valentine’s Day Cards

I wrote out 120(ish) Valentine’s cards for members of my audience the two Valentine’s show’s tonight and tomorrow.

I tried to photograph every card, greeting and envelope but I probably forgot some.

Tomorrow is sold out but ticket’s remain for tonight. I am doing a love song from every album in order!

See all the cards here Valentine’s Day Cards

Occupation 9 – Rockets

In Hefner I wrote a song about Alan Bean, the fourth man on the moon.

In 2011 I held an exhibition of paintings about animals and people in space with Robert Rotifer, Sarah Lippet Paul Rains and Duncan Barrett.

We also made a CD on which I sung two songs about the Russian Space Dogs.

Around 2005 I tried to write and record 12 songs about each of the astronauts who walked on the moon. I wrote seven of them.

My own label ‘Belka’ is named after one of the first two dogs to go into earth orbit and return alive.

Several other song of mine like The Protons and the Neutrons use the imagery of the cosmos.

I want to bring all of these themes and songs together in one show on the 14th march at the Vortex.

Usually live I use stringed, folky instruments but I am also known for using electronica. For this show I’m going to bring some of my synthesizers and old analogue drum machines. It will be a treat.

Support comes from the famous comedian Robin Ince. Who knows about Space.

Friday 14th March – http://www.wegottickets.com/event/257492
With Robin Ince

The Vortex
11 Gillett Square, London N16 8AZ
www.vortexjazz.co.uk
Doors 8pm
£12 Adv

www.hefnet.com

@DarrenHayman
@VortexJazz
@ThePopside

Darren Hayman’s Occupation is a series of monthly shows at The Vortex, Dalston. There will be a mix of sets showcasing different albums, themes and special guests. This is not your standard indie gig:

“I love gigs. I hate gigs.

I want to play live and I love what shows can be, but I’ve found myself frequently stifled by the limitations of my career. I can’t play the plush, seated venues and I can’t experiment with a string section or play 20 minute opuses.

My music was born in the sticky floored rock venue. I like the sticky floored rock venue but I have had a hankering for something different recently. My own taste has veered towards free improv and jazz and although it’s hard to imagine that music influencing my own I do love the culture of live music in this genre.

Long sets, sometimes two, comfortable venues and a reverence and respect for the event and the moment; less talking, less cameras, more dynamics, less microphones.

I wondered if these would let an indie rock interloper amongst their ranks. My show at the Vortex back in last November was successful enough to make me think of playing a monthly residency there.

The idea is that each show is themed. I don’t want to go the whole predictable route of playing complete albums, but rather group, types of songs together for different evenings. Experiment, sometimes play two sets, sometimes have unlikely guests. I will be playing with members of my bands from through out my career as well as old friends like the Wave Pictures and Allo Darlin.

The Vortex is a beautiful venue. I’m trying to do something different; something, smaller, prettier. I hope you can come.”

Occupation 8 – Saint Valentine’s Day

It’s a simple theme this time. I will play love songs and only love songs. I’ll try to make the two sets slightly different without featuring totally exclusive songs.

We’re working on some more ideas (akin to the postcards on the Holiday shows) to make the evenings special.

Support on Thursday 13th February comes from Pete Astor. Support on 14th February comes from Louis Philippe

Thursday 13th February – http://www.wegottickets.com/event/253937
With Pete Astor

Friday 14th February – http://www.wegottickets.com/event/253938
With Louis Philippe

The Vortex
11 Gillett Square, London N16 8AZ
www.vortexjazz.co.uk
Doors 8pm
£12 Adv

www.hefnet.com

@DarrenHayman
@VortexJazz
@ThePopside

Darren Hayman’s Occupation is a series of monthly shows at The Vortex, Dalston. There will be a mix of sets showcasing different albums, themes and special guests. This is not your standard indie gig:

“I love gigs. I hate gigs.

I want to play live and I love what shows can be, but I’ve found myself frequently stifled by the limitations of my career. I can’t play the plush, seated venues and I can’t experiment with a string section or play 20 minute opuses.

My music was born in the sticky floored rock venue. I like the sticky floored rock venue but I have had a hankering for something different recently. My own taste has veered towards free improv and jazz and although it’s hard to imagine that music influencing my own I do love the culture of live music in this genre.

Long sets, sometimes two, comfortable venues and a reverence and respect for the event and the moment; less talking, less cameras, more dynamics, less microphones.

I wondered if these would let an indie rock interloper amongst their ranks. My show at the Vortex back in last November was successful enough to make me think of playing a monthly residency there.

The idea is that each show is themed. I don’t want to go the whole predictable route of playing complete albums, but rather group, types of songs together for different evenings. Experiment, sometimes play two sets, sometimes have unlikely guests. I will be playing with members of my bands from through out my career as well as old friends like the Wave Pictures and Allo Darlin.

The Vortex is a beautiful venue. I’m trying to do something different; something, smaller, prettier. I hope you can come.”

Occupation 7 – January Songs

During January 2011 Darren Hayman, ex-Hefner, wrote a song for every day of the month. It was an incredibly frantic period of work. Each day not only included the writing of a song, but also its recording and the making of a video, and an online diary.

“Even in this age of downloads I can still get frustrated about how long it takes to release records,” says Hayman. “I wanted to make something instantly and, without anytime for editing or revision, release it and make it permanent.

The project became eclectic through necessity. The songs range from glam disco stomps, through folky laments and acapella hymns to jazz backed spoken words.

“I knew some sort of theme would reveal itself gradually through the work,” continues Darren, “and that theme became one of release and escape. Lots of the songs are about imaginary or longed for havens.”

It can all be found archived here

January Songs was also released as a hand drawn two CD set and can be found in our shop.

Apart from one or two tunes January Songs has only been performed once, back in January 2012 upon the release of the CD.

It should come as no surprise that the two January Occupation shows will consist of an exclusive performance of January songs.

THE TWO SHOWS WILL FEATURE DIFFERENT SETS.

SHOW 1: THURSDAY 16TH JAN WILL FEATURE SONGS FROM THE FIRST HALF OF JANUARY SONGS. WITH SUPPORT FROM THE ROZI PLAIN FROM LOST MAP RECORDS.

http://www.wegottickets.com/event/247385

SHOW 2: FRIDAY 17th JAN WILL FEATURE SONGS FROM THE SECOND HALF OF JANUARY SONGS. WITH SUPPORT FROM THE PICTISH TRAIL FROM LOST MAP RECORDS.

http://www.wegottickets.com/event/247386

The Vortex
11 Gillett Square, London N16 8AZ
www.vortexjazz.co.uk
Doors 8pm
£12 Adv

www.hefnet.com

@DarrenHayman
@VortexJazz
@ThePopside

Darren Hayman’s Occupation is a series of monthly shows at The Vortex, Dalston. There will be a mix of sets showcasing different albums, themes and special guests. This is not your standard indie gig:

“I love gigs. I hate gigs.

I want to play live and I love what shows can be, but I’ve found myself frequently stifled by the limitations of my career. I can’t play the plush, seated venues and I can’t experiment with a string section or play 20 minute opuses.

My music was born in the sticky floored rock venue. I like the sticky floored rock venue but I have had a hankering for something different recently. My own taste has veered towards free improv and jazz and although it’s hard to imagine that music influencing my own I do love the culture of live music in this genre.

Long sets, sometimes two, comfortable venues and a reverence and respect for the event and the moment; less talking, less cameras, more dynamics, less microphones.

I wondered if these would let an indie rock interloper amongst their ranks. My show at the Vortex back in last November was successful enough to make me think of playing a monthly residency there.

The idea is that each show is themed. I don’t want to go the whole predictable route of playing complete albums, but rather group, types of songs together for different evenings. Experiment, sometimes play two sets, sometimes have unlikely guests. I will be playing with members of my bands from through out my career as well as old friends like the Wave Pictures and Allo Darlin.

The Vortex is a beautiful venue. I’m trying to do something different; something, smaller, prettier. I hope you can come.”

 

Papernut Cambridge (12 inch vinyl and 7 inch set)

If you’ve followed me on Twitter recently then you’ve seen me raving about my friend Ian Button and his new band Papernut Cambridge.

It’s that rare thing, a band that arrive fully formed and in complete command of their vision and music. I can’t recommend this album and seven inch set highly enough.

I play saxophone and synths on several tracks and Ian himself sometimes deputizes Dave S on drums at my gigs.

Ian Button has just produced my new, soon to be released album too.

Papernut Cambridge have received rave reviews from Q and MOJO and received Radio play on 6Music.

Limited Edition 12″ vinyl LP and 7″ vinyl EP package
GDNLP002 and GDN45001 set.
Vinyl 12″ LP and 7″ EP package: the definitive stereo mix/version of the album/EP pressed on 140g frosted clear vinyl.
Both the 7″ and the LP have spined outer sleeves printed on 300gsm card and printed silver inner sleeves on 200gsm art paper. Both come with clear plastic overbags.
Limited to 200 copies of each.
PLEASE NOTE: LP and EP not sold separately.

Downloads included with every vinyl purchase:

1. Alternate MONO mixes of the vinyl versions.
2. A bonus set of STEREO mixes with expanded instrumentation, different takes, processing etc.

Cover art is a reproduction in silver and blue Pantone ink of “Giordano Bruno vs. Nicole Aubrey and the Calvinist Ghosts” by Alex Templeton Ward.

Includes download of 26-track album in the high-quality format of your choice (MP3, FLAC, and more), plus unlimited mobile access using the free Bandcamp listening app.

Buy the Papernut Cambridge Vinyl LP and 7inch Set Direct from Darren


Blue House EP by Darren Hayman

Card gatefold sleeve. Numbered and limtied to 500.

I like collections of five or six songs, seven even. It’s unfortunate that we don’t have a proper name for them; Mini LPs? Maxi EPs?

I write when I travel, when I’m disengaged. I write when I’m on holiday. I wrote three of these songs in a blue house on the Suffolk coast. There was a piano in the blue house and I bought my baritone ukulele. I tasted every beer from the local brewery and rated them in a table in my notebook.

Leaves and Stars is about the cycle of wedding, christening, divorce, wedding. At the age of 42, too many of my friends are on the third stage. Nothing stays the same. It’s a song about acquiescence and letting go, accepting change and letting it wash over you.

Words change too, or at least their popularity does. Remember when words like ‘blackleg’, ‘scab’, ‘picket line’ and ‘strike’ were more common? They were barbed, sharp, violent words. They were necessary. Blackleg is a song about collaborating with the enemy.

 When the School Sold Its Fields is about trying to remember when it first went wrong, or at least when I first noticed things going awry. When I was ten or eleven I remember my school selling its playing fields for a housing estate. Soon all the schools sold part of their fields. Many schools now have housing estates where the kids used to play. The song also concerns a memory I have of me being dressed up by my parents as a ‘China man’ for the PTA International Dinner. Mrs Morgan, our head teacher, had passed away. They held a silence and it was the first time my mind had confronted death. I cried.

Kurhaus Blues was written on an earlier holiday in Semmering, Austria. In fact I have a whole album of instrumentals on the subject of Semmering. We walked around a ruined Kurhaus, lost amongst the mountains and trees. I imagined it when it was new. I do this a lot; imagine old things new.

Loose Change was written by my friend Valentine Leys. She sang one of mine, so I sang one of hers’. Valentine’s is better.

 Blue House was made especially for Indie Label Market 29 November 2013. It will also be available directly from www.hefnet.com and a few select record shops.

Darren Hayman, December 2013

Buy the Blue House EP CD Direct from Darren

Blue House comes in a neat card gatefold slip case. Numbered and limited to 500.


Or buy downloads from Bandcamp here.