Gotye

Biography

Wouter "Wally" De Backer, known professionally as Gotye, is a Belgian-born Australian multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter. He was born in Bruges, Belgium, on May 21, 1980, and moved to Australia with his family at the age of two. They initially lived in Sydney before settling in Montmorency, a suburb of Melbourne. His passion for music developed at a young age, and he became proficient in playing piano and drums.

Early Career and 'Boardface'

In 2001, using samples from a large collection of old records, De Backer began recording his first tracks under the name Gotye, a phonetic spelling of "Gauthier," the French equivalent of his first name. He independently produced a 4-track CD and sent it to various radio stations and industry contacts. His early work gained traction on the Australian youth radio station Triple J. This initial material, along with subsequent recordings, formed his debut album, "Boardface," released in 2003.

'Like Drawing Blood' and Growing Recognition

Gotye's second album, "Like Drawing Blood," was released in 2006. The album was a critical and commercial success in Australia, being voted Album of the Year by Triple J listeners and winning an ARIA Award for Best Male Artist in 2007. The album's success was fueled by tracks like "Hearts a Mess" and "Learnalilgivinanlovin," which also gained some attention in Europe. During this period, Gotye also worked as a librarian while recording the album in his bedroom.

'Making Mirrors' and Global Stardom

Gotye's international breakthrough came with his third album, "Making Mirrors," released in 2011. The album was recorded in a barn on his parents' farm. The lead single, "Somebody That I Used to Know," featuring New Zealand singer Kimbra, became a global phenomenon. The song topped the charts in over 25 countries, including the US Billboard Hot 100, and was the best-selling song of 2012. The song's success was amplified by its distinctive music video featuring both artists covered in body paint. "Making Mirrors" won the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album, while "Somebody That I Used to Know" won for Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

Musical Style and Influences

Gotye's music is known for its eclectic mix of styles, incorporating elements of indie-pop, alternative rock, electronic, and trip-hop. He is recognized for his innovative use of sampling and his ability to blend diverse sounds into a cohesive whole. His influences are wide-ranging, including artists like Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, and Depeche Mode.

Post-'Making Mirrors' Activities

Following the massive success of "Making Mirrors," Gotye has been on a hiatus from his solo project. In a 2014 newsletter, he stated that there would be no new Gotye music, but left the possibility of future projects open. He has remained active with his other band, The Basics, which he co-founded in 2002. He also launched an independent record label called Spirit Level in 2014. More recently, he has focused on a project dedicated to the work of electronic music pioneer Jean-Jacques Perrey. In 2024, a remix of "Somebody That I Used to Know" titled "Somebody (2024)" was released by Fisher, Chris Lake, and Sante Sansone, which brought Gotye back to the charts.