News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

COLIN HAY


BIO:
Colin Hay may be best known as the lead singer for Men At Work, the platinum selling Australian band that topped worldwide charts in the 80s with anthems like “Down Under,” “Overkill,” and “Who Can It Be Now?” Hay’s justifiably proud of his place in pop history, but since moving to Los Angeles in 1989, he’s made 11 solo albums and is confident that Gathering Mercury is the best of the lot. “These are some of the strongest songs I’ve ever written,” Hay says from his home studio in the hills of Topanga Canyon. “The loss of my father last year brought an unavoidable emotional contingent to writing and recording. I don’t have a definitive belief in an afterlife, but I do feel like I had his help when I was working on this album, especially alone late at night, in the studio.” Hay recorded and produced the ten songs on Gathering Mercury in his home studio, with the help of drummer Randy Cooke, bassist Joe Karnes, and guitarist Sean Woostenhulme, from his touring band and friends like bass player Jimmy Earl and pianist Jeff Babko from Jimmy Kimmel’s band, drummer Charlie Paxson, Cuban percussionist Luis Conte (Madonna, Ray Charles) and his wife Cecilia Noel on backing vocals. The arrangements feature Hay’s quizzical, instantly recognizable tenor supported by acoustic instruments and melodic electric guitar accents. The album was beautifully mixed by long time friend and composer/producer Chad Fischer. “Send Somebody,” the album’s first single, was co-written with guitarist/songwiter Michael Georgiades, who provides not only the main chord structure, but the understated solo that sets up the song’s touching bridge. The hypnotic pop melody is augmented by Chad Fisher’s work on piano, xylophone and drums. The tune was inspired by a late night phone conversation. “You call tech support one night around midnight and actually get a human being on the line,” Hay explains. “The unexpected connection with a stranger is often easier to make than one with people you know. It brings up the longing for connection we all feel. “Dear Father” is a poignant celtic folk-like tune with Hay’s 12-string guitar and melancholy vocal taking center stage. Cellist Oliver Kraus overdubbed the burnished string section. “This song was written and recorded almost instantaneously, a gift from beyond, if you will. The night my father died, I was in Glasgow on the river Clyde, about 20 streets away from where he was born. There’s some kind of bleak poetry in that, very bleak.” “Far From Home” has the reggae lilt of a contemporary Men At Work tune. Jeff Babko’s Hammond B3, Cook’s inspired drum part, and Hay’s rhythm guitar add to the melody’s hypnotic feel. “I don’t know if it’s reggae as such,” Hay says. “But when I play electric guitar, the rhythm I feel is on the offbeat. It’s my natural default.” Other standouts include Michael Georgiades’ “Half a Million Angels,” with sublime performances by all; the darkly humorous “A Simple Song,” which deals with the complexities of long term relationships with Hay on mandola and the buoyant vaudeville tune “Where the Sky Is Blue,” a song Hay imagined his father singing to his mother before they married. “He was asking her to join him and create a life together, which they did.” The tunes on Gathering Mercury are deeply affecting, but never maudlin. Despite the often serious subject matter, they’re full of optimism. “It’s not a conscious thing and may have to do with the Scottish mentality. We deal with darkness by shining a light on it. It doesn’t diminish the charge of the feeling, it just makes it easier to deal with.” Although he’s one of Australia’s best-known exports, Colin Hay was born in Kilwinning, Scotland. “I wasn’t in bands as a boy,” he recalls, “but I was surrounded by music. My mom and dad had a music shop, so there were instruments everywhere. The Hit Parade list came in every Monday morning, so obviously I knew The Beatles, The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Screaming Lord Sutch, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Freddie And The Dreamers and, of course, Cliff Richard. I started playing guitar when I was 12. “My father and mother had music in their DNA; they passed it on to me. As a teenager, my dad was a singer and dancer on the vaudeville stage. He later became a piano tuner. My mother also could hold a tune, and is a great dancer, and there were many people in my extended family known for their singing abilities. When I heard The Beatles and read (John Lennon’s) Spaniard in the Works, I knew this was a world I wanted to be part of.” Hay taught himself to play guitar and, when the family moved to Melbourne in 1967, he found himself in the middle of a thriving musical community. “The late 60s and early 70s were remarkable, a golden age for Australian rock music. There were lots of places to play, fantastic bands and lots of great musicians. A lot of them never saw the light of day, but there was uniqueness and brilliance.” One of those musicians was guitarist Ron Strykert. Hay was impressed by his musicality and technique. They started playing as an acoustic duo and Hay began writing songs. “We liked all kinds of musicians and writers, like Ry Cooder, John Martyn, Randy Newman, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan and the Beatles obviously, the reggae of Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff to name a few. I’d always wanted to be in a great rock band. So, in the middle of 1979, we were joined by drummer Jerry Speiser, whom I met at university, and sax and flautist Greg Ham, whom I’d known since schooldays. “Men At Work” was formed, and off we went. Bass player John Rees joined a couple of months later. Men At Work built up a strong local following and got signed by CBS Australia. Their first album, Business as Usual, released in 1981, went 5X platinum within the first year, won a Grammy, topped charts all over the world and ultimately sold more than 10 million copies. Their second album, Cargo, also went multi-platinum and moved five million copies, but inner disputes put an end to the original line up. Hay and Ham finished one more record as Men At Work, 1985’s Two Hearts, then went their separate ways. “I made a solo rock album for Columbia called Looking for Jack in 1987,” Hay says. “When it wasn’t commercially successful, I got the feeling that Columbia didn’t know what to do with me, so I took up an offer from MCA Records, and Columbia let me go.” Hay went back to his original musical inspirations for Wayfaring Sons, an album with Celtic folk influences for the MCA record. They dropped him soon after. “I’d moved to the States in ‘89, and soon realized I’d have to work harder for more modest returns. I started my own label, Lazy Eye Records, and set about building a new audience, through writing, recording and touring.” It’s been hand to hand combat ever since, but nourishing work at the same time.” Hay has released nine albums since founding Lazy Eye in 1992. Peaks & Valleys(1992), an outing for solo acoustic guitar and voice; Topanga (1994), a rock album that featured “Waiting for My Real Life to Begin;” Transcendental Highway (1988); the acoustic Going Somewhere (2001); Company of Strangers (2002); a collection of newly recorded Men at Work hits and some new songs called Man At Work (2003); Are You Lookin’ at Me? (2006); American Sunshine (2009) and the current Gathering Mercury. Since 2003, Hay has had a partnership with Compass Records and he’s slowly rebuilt his name recognition. “I went from playing for 50 people a few years ago, to 500 and 1,000 seat venues. I’d like to speed it up a bit, cause I’m running out of life,” Hay quips in fine Scottish style, “but for the most part I’m happy to be on the road and still making music, and attracting ever increasing audiences.” Hay and Greg Ham toured with backing musicians as Men At Work from 1996 to 2002, and played to an estimated audience of 2 billion viewers during the closing ceremony of the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. He’s also toured with Ringo Starr’s All Starr band in 2003 and 2008 and took part in the All Starr TV special. Hay and his music, most notably an acoustic version of the Men at Work hit “Overkill”, as well as more recent works such as “Waiting for My Real Life to Begin” and “I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get over You”, has been featured on TV shows including Dawson’s Creek, Judging Amy, and Scrubs. His song “I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You” was included on the soundtrack of the Zach Braff film Garden State. Hay also appeared in an episode of the celebrated “Larry Sanders Show,” in Hay’s mind, a career highlight. Today, he’s equally at home in the studio or on stage, playing with either his band or solo acoustic. “I started off playing acoustic; it’s my natural game, if you will,” he concludes. “It’s the point I started from and may well be the point I end with. It’s always what I return to.”

Latest Tweets

ColinHay Twitter 3/14 @ 11:07 AM
ColinHay - "It’s impossible to convey the full effect of a Colin Hay concert in words..." Throwback to this 2012 show at 3rd… https://t.co/Mo8OSrxgKZ
Retweet | Reply | Link   

ColinHay Twitter 3/10 @ 11:48 AM
ColinHay - Men at Work take the stage in Los Angeles at the Greek Theatre 🎸 #Flashback Send us your men at work photos to ph… https://t.co/LLHzRBTiuS
Retweet | Reply | Link   

ColinHay Twitter 3/8 @ 12:40 PM
ColinHay - 🎶 Here they come, those feelings again 🎶 "Who Can It Be Now?" live and solo acoustic in Bristol. 🎥: steph_swift https://t.co/LgYpCxzqyX
Retweet | Reply | Link   


MORE TWEETS

Latest Articles


Bruce Cockburn Set for Acclaimed Mountain Stage Radio Appearance; New World Tour Date Photo Bruce Cockburn Set for Acclaimed Mountain Stage Radio Appearance; New World Tour Dates Announced
by Michael Major - February 20, 2024

Recorded on February 1st at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, California, Cockburn was joined on stage that night by Colin Hay, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Chuck Prophet & the Make Out Quartet and The Lucky Valentines. “Mountain Stage” with host Kathy Mattea airs on over 260 NPR Stations na...

Video: Australian Indie Artist Imogen Clark Premieres Video For 'All Hard Feelings' Photo Video: Australian Indie Artist Imogen Clark Premieres Video For 'All Hard Feelings'
by Michael Major - February 08, 2024

Recorded between Los Angeles, London, Sydney, Melbourne and Nashville, The Art of Getting Through is the most ambitious artistic statement yet from an artist who is always challenging herself to push beyond her boundaries, an album about shouldering the weight of life's baggage and powering forward....

Imogen Clark Releases 'Not Christmas Here' Single With Steve Poltz Photo Imogen Clark Releases 'Not Christmas Here' Single With Steve Poltz
by Michael Major - November 24, 2023

Imogen Clark releases “Not Christmas Here,” upholding her traditions of releasing an original Christmas single each year. Showcasing her unique take on the holiday season, the song was written with legendary troubadour Steve Poltz and recorded at Peter Frampton’s Studio Phenix in Nashville with a ca...

Barenaked Ladies Announce Last Summer On Earth 2023 Tour Photo Barenaked Ladies Announce Last Summer On Earth 2023 Tour
by Michael Major - January 30, 2023

Barenaked Ladies launched their Last Summer on Earth tours in 2012, the year the ancient Mayan calendar had predicted Earth would cease to be. Naturally, BNL seized the opportunity to have a little fun with the idea, and they wound up having so much fun that they’ve repeated the tour seven of the la...

Ringo Starr Releases New Single 'Don't Pass Me By' Photo Ringo Starr Releases New Single 'Don't Pass Me By'
by Michael Major - November 22, 2022

Ringo releases Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band Live at the Greek 2019 (Roccabella via BFD/The Orchard) available digitally everywhere and featuring “Don’t Pass Me By,” as performed by Ringo and His All Starr Band. A great gift for fans who weren’t able to catch Ringo and His All Starr band while ...

Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band Announce Rescheduled Dates and Revised Fall Itiner Photo Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band Announce Rescheduled Dates and Revised Fall Itinerary
by Michael Major - June 20, 2022

Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band - Steve Lukather, Colin Hay, Warren Ham, Gregg Bissonette, Hamish Stuart and Edgar Winter - revealed the revised itinerary for their September tour, which now includes all 12 of the dates that they recently had to postpone.  The tour now begins September 5 at Tangl...

Find Out Who Won at the 2022 GRAMMY Awards - All the Winners! Photo Find Out Who Won at the 2022 GRAMMY Awards - All the Winners!
by Michael Major - April 21, 2022

The 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards featured a tribute to Stephen Sondheim, a win for Barlow and Bear's 'Unofficial Bridgerton Musical,' Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett for their 'Love For Sale' Cole Porter duets album, Olivia Rodrigo, and more. Check out the full list of winners now!...

Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band Announce Second Leg of Tour Dates Photo Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band Announce Second Leg of Tour Dates
by Michael Major - April 11, 2022

As previously announced Starr will commence the first leg of shows this Spring on May 27 in Canada at Casino Rama concluding on June 26 in Clearwater Florida. The tour will resume in the Fall on September 23 in Bridgeport, Connecticut and end on October 20 in Mexico City. ...

Colin Hay Releases New Album 'Now And The Evermore' Photo Colin Hay Releases New Album 'Now And The Evermore'
by Michael Major - March 18, 2022

Leading up to the album, Hay shared a number of singles including the “joyful rootsy rocker” (Forbes) “A Man Without A Name,” the “cheery” (Rock Cellar Magazine) “Love Is Everywhere,” and the “orch-pop” (BrooklynVegan) title track which features a guest appearance from Ringo Starr on drums....

MerleFest Announces Trampled By Turtles, Colin Hay, The Steel Wheels, & Late Night Ja Photo MerleFest Announces Trampled By Turtles, Colin Hay, The Steel Wheels, & Late Night Jam Hosts
by Michael Major - January 24, 2022

In addition to those mentioned above, the following artists and bands have previously been announced: Alison Brown, Andy May, Arlo McKinley, Banknotes, Caleb Caudle, Carol Rifkin, Charles Welch, Darrell Scott, Donna the Buffalo, Dr. Bacon, Happy Traum, Jack Lawrence, Jeff Little Trio, Jerry Douglas,...

Colin Hay Releases 'Now & the Evermore' Featuring Ringo Starr Photo Colin Hay Releases 'Now & the Evermore' Featuring Ringo Starr
by Michael Major - January 24, 2022

Colin Hay has announced his upcoming album Now And The Evermore. Along with the announcement, Hay shared the album’s title track from the album, featuring a guest appearance from Ringo Starr who played drums on the track. Plus, check out Hay's upcoming tour dates! Listen to the new single now....

Colin Hay to Embark on Summer 2021 US Tour Photo Colin Hay to Embark on Summer 2021 US Tour
by TV News Desk - July 06, 2021

In addition to I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself, Hay is at work on a collection of originals. Those who attend his summer shows may get a preview of those songs, as well as a retrospective of his Men at Work and solo years....

Colin Hay's 'Going Somewhere' Will Be Available on Vinyl for the First Time Photo Colin Hay's 'Going Somewhere' Will Be Available on Vinyl for the First Time
by Sarah Jae Leiber - May 06, 2021

The album includes some of Colin’s best known solo work, including 'Beautiful World,” 'Waiting For My Real Life To Begin, and 'I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You,' which was featured in the hit film, Garden State. ...

Acclaimed Singer-Songwriter Karen Bella's Self-Titled EP Enters The Top 40 Charts At Photo Acclaimed Singer-Songwriter Karen Bella's Self-Titled EP Enters The Top 40 Charts At #30
by A.A. Cristi - April 21, 2021

Rising singer-songwriter Karen Bella, whose sound has been hailed as 'authentic, timeless, and dreamy' (Music Mecca), has announced that her latest, self-titled EP has entered the Top 40 charts, hitting #30 on the Folk Alliance International Folk DJ Radio Charts for the month of March. ...

Barenaked Ladies Announce 'A Very Virtual Christmas' Streaming Event Photo Barenaked Ladies Announce 'A Very Virtual Christmas' Streaming Event
by Sarah Jae Leiber - November 18, 2020

Barenaked Ladies announce a very special holiday streaming event BARENAKED LADIES PRESENTS: A Very Virtual Christmas, to take place on Friday December 18, 2020 at 9pm EST / 6pm PST with a UK only encore Saturday December 19, 2020 at 5pm GMT....

THE BLANK CANVAS Podcast With Lee Rogers to Welcome Colin Hays Photo THE BLANK CANVAS Podcast With Lee Rogers to Welcome Colin Hays
by A.A. Cristi - November 05, 2020

Available from Monday 9th November, 2020 The podcast from prolific director & producer Lee Rogers – chatting with the trail blazers, artists, thought leaders, athletes, entrepreneurs and creators – stellar individuals who inspire us to live large....

MEN AT WORK Will Play Virtual Live Show Nov. 1 Photo MEN AT WORK Will Play Virtual Live Show Nov. 1
by Sarah Jae Leiber - October 13, 2020

Colin Hay, the celebrated frontman of '80s chart-toppers Men at Work, has announced a special virtual benefit show of the band's hits (and some surprises) on Sunday, November 1....

Barenaked Ladies Announce Red Rocks PPV Livestream Photo Barenaked Ladies Announce Red Rocks PPV Livestream
by Sarah Jae Leiber - August 31, 2020

Barenaked Ladies announce a very special pay-per-view live stream event featuring the multi-platinum band’s 2015 Red Rocks performance to take place on Saturday, September 12 at 7pm Eastern time. ...

Leanne Tennant Releases HAPPINESS IS Album, Shares 'Record Stores' Photo Leanne Tennant Releases HAPPINESS IS Album, Shares 'Record Stores'
by Kaitlin Milligan - July 15, 2020

UK-born alternative singer-songwriter Leanne Tennant releases her latest album, Happiness Is on the 9th of July via LT Records which features the sterling song, 'Record Stores'....

Ringo Starr To Celebrate 80th Birthday with Charity Broadcast Photo Ringo Starr To Celebrate 80th Birthday with Charity Broadcast
by Kaitlin Milligan - June 30, 2020

Today Ringo Starr announced 'Ringo's Big Birthday Show,' a broadcast to benefit 4 charities: Black Lives Matter Global Network, the David Lynch Foundation, Musicares and WaterAid....

Barenaked Ladies Announce Postponement of 2020 'Last Summer On Earth' Tour Photo Barenaked Ladies Announce Postponement of 2020 'Last Summer On Earth' Tour
by Kaitlin Milligan - May 20, 2020

Barenaked Ladies announce the postponement of their extensive 2020 Last Summer On Earth tour of North America until 2021. The tour was originally set to kickoff next month in Florida. Gin Blossoms and Toad the Wet Sprocket will join Barenaked Ladies with the original lineup for the new dates next ye...

Ringo Starr And His All Starr Band Reschedule Spring 2020 Tour Dates To 2021 Photo Ringo Starr And His All Starr Band Reschedule Spring 2020 Tour Dates To 2021
by Kaitlin Milligan - March 30, 2020

Today Ringo Starr announced that he is rescheduling his Spring 2020 All Starr Band out of an abundance concern and caution for the well being of fans, crew and staff due to the Covid 19 crisis.  The 2020/2021 All Starr Band features Steve Lukather, Colin Hay, Gregg Rolie, Warren Ham, Gregg Bissonett...

MerleFest Announces Final Lineup Additions For 2020 Festival Photo MerleFest Announces Final Lineup Additions For 2020 Festival
by Kaitlin Milligan - February 10, 2020

MerleFest, presented by Window World, is proud to announce the next round of artist additions for MerleFest 2020, which will be held April 23-26. Greensky Bluegrass, Mavis Staples, Paul Thorn, Cane Mill Road, Sweet Potato Pie, The Barefoot Movement, Nefesh Mountain, and Smitty and the Jumpstarters w...

Barenaked Ladies Announce 'Last Summer On Earth' Tour Photo Barenaked Ladies Announce 'Last Summer On Earth' Tour
by Kaitlin Milligan - January 17, 2020

Today, multi-platinum rock band Barenaked Ladies announce their extensive Last Summer On Earth tour of North America in 2020. Gin Blossoms and Toad the Wet Sprocket will round out the incredible lineup....

Colin Hay Announces Solo Tour Photo Colin Hay Announces Solo Tour
by Kaitlin Milligan - January 16, 2020

Singer-songwriter Colin Hay, beloved for his intimate, acoustic live shows, but most widely known for being the influential and celebrated Men at Work frontman, is hitting the road for an extended solo tour celebrating all of his albums, plus songs from a forthcoming mid 2020 release....












Videos


Recommended For You