Darren Hayman - 12 Astronauts

by Nicky Crewe

published: 21 / 9 / 2019

Label: WIAIWYA
Format: CD

intro

New collection of songs by Darren Hayman celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Moon landings by sharing a very personal perspective of the twelve men who have walked on the moon

Darren Hayman is a singer and songwriter who interprets recent world history through his music. On one level it seems an unusual approach, but it’s what folk music and ballads have done for decades. Telling stories and sharing histories is an important aspect of the role of musician in society. Hayman’s 'Thankful Villages' series highlights the roll call of communities where the men came back from the First World War. It’s a celebration and a fresh perspective. This new collection of songs both celebrates the 50th anniversary of the moon landings and gives a fresh perspective on the lives of the twelve astronauts who have walked on the moon. Like many of us Darren Hayman has long been fascinated by space travel. His record label is even named after Belka, one of the dogs who was sent into earth orbit and returned alive. (For information, the other was called Strelka and they were street dogs. Other creatures including mice and insects joined them). Hayman imagines himself as each astronaut in turn, with their preoccupations on life after space. Some of these preoccupations are large and some are small, from Buzz Aldrin’s demons and impending marriage breakdown to Gene Cernan’s list of every object he could remember being left on the moon. It’s a quirky and delightful collection of songs and stories. Space travel and moon landings have been the inspiration for songs from other artists including the Byrds, Bowie and the Police. Apparently it’s been over ten years in the recording and making, a side project as Hayman worked on other topics. There is a a hint of Syd Barrett in the vocals and a few spacey sounds in the production. These twelve astronauts never saw life on Earth in the same way again. They took that risk, physically and emotionally, for all of us. This album is a charming reminder of their courage and achievement.

Track Listing:-

1 Spaceman No More (Neil Armstrong)
2 Low Orbit (Buzz Aldrin)
3 Timber Cove (Pete Conrad)
4 Alan Bean (Alan Bean)
5 Don't Clip My Wings (Alan Sheppard)
6 Hard Disk in the Sky (Edgar Mitchell)
7 Major Sunday (David Scott)
8 Genesis Rock (James Irwin)
9 100% Oxygen (John Young)
10 Duke's Dream (Charles Duke)
11 It's Geology (Harrison Schmitt)
12 Things We Left Behind (Gene Cernan)

Band Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Darren-Hayman/55543614047
http://www.hefnet.com/

Label Links:-

http://wiaiwya.com/
https://www.facebook.com/wiaiwya
https://wiaiwya.bandcamp.com/
https://twitter.com/wiaiwya

interviews

Interview (2020)

As he prepared for the release of 'Home Time', his 17th album, Darren Hayman speaks to Ben Howarth about his most personal album and his reflections on the end of his epic, award-winning 'Thankful Villages' project.

Interview (2012)

Interview (2009)

Interview (2007)

live reviews

Brudenell, Leeds, 24/6/2011

Helen Tipping enjoys a night of acoustic rock and razor sharp humour from former Hefner front man Darren Hayman at a solo show at the Brudenell in Leeds

Camden Head and Bush Hall, London, 19/10/2010...23/11/2010

Lexington, London, 5/3/2009

Luminaire, London, 30/3/2008

Luminaire, London, 12/11/2007

features

Ten Songs That Made Me Love... (2014)

In 'Ten Songs that Made Me Love...', Ben Howarth writes of his favourite songs by singer-songwriter and ex-Hefner front man, Darren Hayman

Amazon.co.uk Widgets

soundcloud

reviews

Thankful Villages Volume 3 (2018)

Impressive final album of Darren Hayman’s three part long term project about the fifty-four Thankful Villages where every soldier returned alive from the First World War

Thankful Villages Volume 1 (2016)

Florence (2015)

Chants for Socialists (2015)

January Songs (2012)

The Ship's Piano (2011)

Great British Holiday EPs (2008)