Gotye: Heart's A Mess video

Wow!

For more info on the making of this video, listen to Shifted Sound episode 66.

Video by Brandon Cook.

Gotye: Some intital thoughts

So I first heard Gotye when a friend of mine from Australia made a mix of her favorites from Australia. It included Wolfmother, Youthgroup, Ben Lee, Gotye, and many more. Well there were a few that stood out. And Gotye was one of them. The two tracks she included were, "Hearts a Mess," and "Thanks for Your Time." They both blew me away. Gotye just seemed to have a way to push things sonically and lyrically. I was impressed especially with Heart's A Mess. And still to this day that track has stood out as one of my favorites. (I'll have more on this track coming soon!)

Below is my initial review of Gotye, when I posted it on the Two Mirrors site that I used to write for. Check it out.

Gotye was next up and by far these two songs were my favorite songs from the Australia comp. His music is simply stunning. He has that quality in his music where it's almost uncomfortable to listen too. Think early Bright Eyes with an electronic edge. Both of these tracks are highly recommended! You will be hearing more from Goyte when I get the new record. You can order it here.

Gotye--Hearts a Mess

Gotye--Thanks for Your Time

Stay tuned folks, I've got lots more Gotye, including tour dates, remixes, an interview, and A CONTEST!

Gotye: Background info

An MP3 to listen to while you read. What do you want by Gotye

Below is some background listed on Gotye's site.

Gotye is many things to many people, and, at once, many things to just one person (himself for instance), although, at times, he may be a few things to a few people. At once.
Sometimes, he may mean something to some person…or people (and we all know you can fool some people, some of the time) but it must be said: his aim is to fool himself, all of the time. Which he does.
Sometimes

But seriously…by Phil Collins was an album that informs pretty much all of Gotye’s songwriting to date. Any sounds in his tracks that sound familiar are of course, exactly that.
They come to Gotye in his dreams, and he gathers them round him like little children round a campfire, desperate (although they don’t know it) for visions of a glorious future, where all children (that is, “sounds”) can play (read: “resound”) together harmoniously… in a world where love rules and everyone will gladly “lay their body down for the groove”.
Is that how they say it these days?
Hmmm…

Variously described as (i) a reclusive hunchback with a penchant for blue cheese and a horrible flatulence problem, (ii) a leading Soviet authority on ancient and early modern Russian political, economic and social history or (iii) a debilitating affliction of the neck (resulting from a childhood inattention to spelling), in actual fact, Gotye is just a young Australian fellow named Wally De Backer who makes music in his bedroom.
But which account do you find more interesting huh? I mean, really!

Boardface (2004) and Like Drawing Blood (2006) are two lps he has released independently. Gotye also has a remix album called Mixed Blood coming out soon. You can buy his records at the following links.

Buy directly from Gotye's website

Buy a digital version via Martian music

Or from Australia's Itunes

A pricey one for the Americans via Amazon.com

And the good news, I heard back from Wally and I hope to have an exclusive (albeit short) interview with Wally in the next few weeks. And definitely a contest!

New Featured Artist: Gotye

So if you haven't heard it yet, go check out the latest installment of the Shifted Sound Podcast.

We (Shifted Sound and A Better Offer) have been trying to sync up for quite a few months now, where Shelby could interview a band and I could cover them. And it still hasn't worked out perfectly yet. But here goes. I'll be writing about Gotye (pronounced gore-ti-yeah) for the next two weeks and as of right now, I haven't heard back from Wally (of Gotye fame) with the definite go ahead to cover his music. But that's alright with me, because I've got lots to say and share on the matter. If you have not heard Gotye yet, I suggest you start over at Shifted Sound and download podcast number 66 (and subscribe while you are there) to hear some music from Gotye and an EXCELLENT interview with Wally de Backer of Gotye.

Or you can check out the links to the right for more Gotye. Stay tuned!

If you are really wanting and MP3, try Out Here in the Cold

**Spelling corrected via email from Tim. A big thanks!

Okkervil River: the cliff

So I'm back from the wonderful mountains of North Carolina. The first thing I'd like to point out is that I have a new "you might be indie rock if..." joke. It follows.

You might be indie rock if, you hike up this freakin mountain in jeans.

I've got many more, but I just thought I'd share that one with you. And for those of you who don't know, that is me up there 4,000 feet in the air.

Anyways how does this apply to Okkervil River you may be asking yourself? Well as I sat on this cliff the following lyrics just kept repeating in my head.

Loosen the wire, your time has expired, the only word left is “goodbye.” In my new dream the light's shining on me, little needles of sodium unstitch the seams of the sky. Hold your head higher, the heavenly choir is settling in for the night. And where I had friends I am left with loose ends; four hours of vision exchanged for four hours of fright. But enough of “the fight,” enough “you and I,” enough of “prevail” or “walk in the light.” While the angels stand by I get high as a kite.

You can download the original version (from their first record, Stars to Small to Use) of this song here...

MP3: The Velocity of Saul at the Time of His Conversation, Okkervil River

Okkervil River on KEXP (live performance podcast)

So I'll be heading out of town tomorrow and won't be back until Sunday. And I have decided to keep covering Okkervil River through next week (for reasons that may or may not become more clear on June 24th). One main reason is that I still cannot stop listening and I'm sure you can't either. So I'll keep talking. Plus there's the contest. Make sure you enter.

And a big thanks to RD for giving me the heads up on the outstanding KEXP live performances podcast. Below is a link to download the Okkervil River performance from SXSW. It is really something and the version of Westfall is stellar to say the least. The setlist follows the link.

Download the Okkervil River KEXP podcast here

The President's Dead
The Latest Toughs
Our Life is Not a Movie

Interview

Westfall
For Real
Okkervil River Song

Okkervil River: A contest

So as you can see, Ive been away for a little bit. But here I am again, plugging away at my little project. And I had an idea. I've gotten some emails (and comments) from you readers out there about how much you love Okkervil River. So I was thinking that you all have probably have something to say too. So what I'd like to do is propose a little contest.

The rules

1. Write a post about Okkervil River.

2. It can be about anything to do with their music, history, or future. But it must be about something I haven't covered yet.

3. Send me the post as an attachment to thetwomirrors@yahoo.com by Sunday, June 16th

4. Make it entertaining

What you get

I will judge the posts according to my own liking and for the winner (or winners--if there is more than one really good one) I will pre-order a copy of the new Okkervil River (Deluxe edition) cd that will be shipped to their door in early August. Now I'll be buying this with my own hard earned money--because really in a sense you are doing my job for me..

And here's an really fucking amazing MP3 for your listening pleasure...

Another Radio Song--Okkervil River