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Boardface (2001–2004)
In 2001, De Backer recorded his first tracks primarily using samples. He put together a four track CD which included the song ‘Out Here in the Cold’. Gotye Discography De Backer made around fifty copies of this first collection, hand writing the track list and colouring in the cover sleeve in pencil. He drew on his cultural history for inspiration when naming his new project – Wouter translates into French as Gaultier (or Gautier or Gauthier) and De Backer’s mother used to call him Gaultier as a pet name. He chose his own spelling of this variation and named the project ‘Gotye’. De Backer sent the CDs out to every radio station and recording industry contact he could find in the phone book, then followed each up with phone calls to ensure they were delivered. Gotye Lyrics Feedback on the first release was mainly positive, with Melbourne street press and Australian youth radio station Triple J taking notice. This gave De Backer the confidence to continue on with further sample based recordings. Around this time, De Backer met fellow singer-songwriter Kris Schroeder at a party in Mt. Eliza, and the two began performing together under the name The Basics. The duo formed an enduring songwriting and performing partnership and became regulars on the live music scene, giving De Backer an outlet for his passion for live performance. The Basics have continued to tour and record alongside Gotye, releasing four albums between 2004 and 2010. Gotye Songs mp3
De Backer went on to produce two more four track Gotye collections which were met with positive reviews, with several tracks getting onto the rotation at Triple J. The CDs were made in the same style as the first, with De Backer hand crafting each one and tenaciously chasing up every opportunity to get an audience for his work. Interest in the Gotye project was growing, and De Backer was eventually offered a distribution deal for an album, which would essentially be a collection of the tracks from his three earlier releases. This album was released under the name Boardface in late 2003.