- Darren Hayman
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Darren Hayman 
Darren Hayman performing in 2007Background information Birth name Darren Russell Hayman Born November 30, 1970 Origin Brentwood, Essex, England Genres Indie rock, Electronic, Folk rock Occupations Singer-songwriter, musician Instruments Guitar, Ukulele, Piano Years active 1995–present Labels The Track & Field Organisation
Fortuna Pop!
Static Caravan RecordingsAssociated acts Hefner
The French
The Stereo Morphonium
Darren Hayman & the Secondary Modern
Hayman, Watkins, Trout & LeeWebsite http://www.hefnet.com/ Darren Russell Hayman (born 30 November 1970, Brentwood, Essex) is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is best known as the lead singer and guitarist in Hefner. Since Hefner disbanded in 2002, Hayman has embarked on a solo career and has released five albums, three of which were with his band Darren Hayman & the Secondary Modern.
Contents
Background
Hayman first made a name for himself as the lead singer and main songwriter in UK indie rock band Hefner, who were big favourites of the late John Peel. The band split in 2002, their discography numbering four studio albums as well as a number of compilations and a live album.
Hayman then released one album with The French and an EP with The Stereo Morphonium. Both were electronic projects.
The debut Darren Hayman solo album Table for One was released in early 2006. The following year Hayman released Darren Hayman & the Secondary Modern, his second solo album and his first album with a backing band. The band included singer-songwriter John Howard and Pete Astor, founder of The Loft and The Weather Prophets.[1]
In 2009, Hayman released the first part of his "Essex Trilogy", Pram Town. The second installment came in the shape of Essex Arms in 2010, Hayman's first release on Fortuna Pop!.
During January 2011, Hayman undertook January Songs,[2] a project to write, record and release a song for every day of the month, collaborating with other musicians.
The third and final part of Hayman's "Essex Trilogy", The Violence, is expected in 2011. Hayman has also released a companion album to Essex Arms, entitled The Green and the Grey, comprising B-sides and unused tracks from the album sessions. This was followed by piano-driven album "The Ship's Piano" and the 10" EP "Christmas In Haworth".
He was also a member of the Vostok 5 collective, a group of musicians creating a 9-track record and an art exhibition about people and animals in space.
In June 2011, he embarked on a solo tour of Britain.
Hayman can now be found performing solo, with his ever-changing backing group the Secondary Modern, or occasionally as part of an indie bluegrass supergroup, Hayman, Watkins, Trout & Lee.
He currently lives in London with his wife and his dog Beulah.
Discography
- See also the discographies for Hefner and The French
Studio albums
- Table for One (2006, Track & Field)
- Darren Hayman & the Secondary Modern (2007, Track & Field)
- Pram Town (2009, Track & Field)
- Essex Arms (2010, Fortuna Pop!)
- January Songs (2011, Self-released)
EPs
- Caravan Songs (2005, Static Caravan)
- Cortinaland (2005, Acuarela)
- Ukulele Songs From the North Devon Coast (2006, Static Caravan)
- Bad Policewoman/Your Heart (2007, Unpopular)
- Eastbourne Lights (2007, Static Caravan)
- Table for One: the Dessert Menu (2007, Track & Field)
- Minehead (2007, Static Caravan)
- Songs for Harmonium and Drum Machine (2008, P572)
- Losing My Glue (2009, Track & Field)
Compilations
- Great British Holiday EPs (CD/DVD set) (2008, Belka)
Live Albums
- Madrid - as Darren Hayman & The Wave Pictures (2009, Belka)
Other Projects
Studio Albums
- Hayman, Watkins, Trout & Lee - as Hayman, Watkins, Trout & Lee (2008, Fortuna Pop!)
EPs
- The Stereo Morphonium EP - as The Stereo Morphonium (2005, Filthy Little Angels)
References
- ^ Album page for Darren Hayman and the Secondary Modern, Darren Hayman Web site.
- ^ Tumblr for January Songs
External links
Categories:- English singer-songwriters
- People from Essex
- Living people
- People from Walthamstow
- 1970 births
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