Gotye
Australia- Early Life and Influences
- Solo Career and 'Boardface'
- Formation of The Basics
- Breakout Success with 'Like Drawing Blood'
- 'Making Mirrors' and 'Somebody That I Used to Know'
- Awards and Recognition
Early Life and Influences
Wouter De Backer, better known by his stage name Gotye, was born in Bruges, Belgium, in 1980. When he was two years old, his family immigrated to Australia.
Growing up, Gotye showed an early interest in music. As a teenager, he played in a band called 'Downstares', drawing inspiration from artists like Depeche Mode, Kate Bush, and Peter Gabriel.
Solo Career and 'Boardface'
After 'Downstares' disbanded, Gotye pursued solo projects. In 2003, he released his debut album, 'Boardface', which showcased his eclectic musical style.
Formation of The Basics
In 2002, Gotye joined forces with Kris Schroeder to form the indie-pop group The Basics. The band quickly gained popularity with their infectious tunes and released their first album in 2003.
Breakout Success with 'Like Drawing Blood'
Gotye's solo career took off in 2006 with the release of his album 'Like Drawing Blood'. The album, which featured the hit singles 'Learnalilgivinanlovin' and 'Hearts a Mess', received widespread acclaim and earned him the ARIA Music Award for Best Male Artist in 2007.
'Making Mirrors' and 'Somebody That I Used to Know'
Gotye's third album, 'Making Mirrors', was released in 2011. The album's lead single, 'Somebody That I Used to Know', featuring Kimbra, became a global phenomenon. The song topped charts worldwide and the music video has been viewed over 364 million times on YouTube.
Awards and Recognition
Gotye has won numerous awards throughout his career, including three ARIA Music Awards, two MTV Europe Music Awards, and a Grammy Award. 'Somebody That I Used to Know' remains one of the most successful Australian songs of all time, setting records for global airplay and sales.
