Colin Hay to headline Town Hall on Mar. 18

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Colin Hay

Colin Hay has had a unique career, to say the least. He first hit it big as the frontman and primary songwriter of Men At Work in the early 1980s, winning Best New Artist at the 1983 Grammys, having multiple number one hits, and selling over 30 million albums. He released several major label solo albums after the disbanding of Men At Work in 1985 before going the independent route. Colin was rediscovered on a mainstream level in the early 2000s after Zach Braff featured Colin’s music in multiple episodes of Scrubs and on the soundtrack of the hit movie Garden State. Beyond his successful solo career, Colin has also been known to pop up in film and TV projects as an actor.

2017 is shaping up to be a big year for Colin as he released his 13th solo effort, Fierce Mercy earlier this month through Compass Records. The year also delivered the Colin-focused documentary Waiting For My Real Life. Now on tour, Colin makes his return to New York on Mar. 18 at the Concert Hall at NY Society for Ethical Culture. All of this on the heels of a 2016 which included a three-week run at the Edinburgh Fringe, performances on The Tonight Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and live appearances alongside Of Monsters And Men, Milk Carton Kids, and Kings Of Leon.

Colin spoke to Downtown about his various projects, including Fierce Mercy. He can visited at www.colinhay.com.

In our last interview, you’d mentioned that the first live gig you ever played in New York was at The Peppermint Lounge. What about your first live gig in New York as a solo artist?

Colin Hay: It may have been at The Bitter End.

Colin Hay: Waiting For My Real Life is finally out in the world. Did you enjoy looking back at your full career?

Colin Hay: Not particularly. I much prefer the present and what lies around the corner.

Your new album Fierce Mercy is coming out in March. Do you have a favorite song on the new album?

Colin Hay: I do not really have a favorite, but I do enjoy “Frozen Fields Of Snow” quite a lot.

Around how many songs did you write for Fierce Mercy? Did you write everything with Michael Georgiades, or were there any outside co-write attempts?

Colin Hay: 15 or so, most with Michael, but not all. One with Rich Jacques and a few alone.

Is there anything in your career that you haven’t yet accomplished but are still hoping?

Colin Hay: Yes, I’m still hoping to be discovered!

When not busy with your career, how do you like to spend your free time?

Colin Hay: Well, I don’t believe anyone truly has free time, but I do enjoy driving along wild coastline, daydreaming from dawn till dusk.

Do you have a favorite restaurant in New York?

Colin Hay: The closest one to me when hunger strikes.

What was your favorite album of 2016?

Colin Hay: Bon Iver 22, A Million.

Finally, Colin, any last words for the kids?

Colin Hay: Get on with it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRJWu_fjBI0