It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call ‘Somebody that I used to know’ my breakup anthem. I streamed this song consistently before sleeping for at least 2-3 months after a bad breakup. That and ‘Let Her Go’ were my therapy aunts then!
But while The Passengers continued to make meaningful music even after that sleeping hit, Gotye did a disappearing act so profound that his fans thought he was no more, the news was run by reputed publications including CNN. Gotye had to come out of hiding to dismiss the rumors.
Sometime around 2014, Gotye announced there would be no new music from him but didn’t rule out future possibilities. Despite fame from hits like “Somebody That I Used To Know,” he pursued other creative outlets, including founding the independent label Spirit Level with Tim Shiel to support diverse musical projects and continuing his involvement with The Basics, a band that released albums and performed globally.
Notably, Gotye dedicated significant efforts to preserving the legacy of electronic music pioneer Jean-Jacques Perrey, including remastering Perrey’s Ondioline recordings and performing his work live, showcasing Gotye’s commitment to artistic exploration beyond his solo career.
What I find the most intriguing( and also inspiring) is his aversion to monetizing his music. In a 2017 interview, Gotye expressed his disinterest in monetizing his music through online ads, opting out of potential revenue to avoid the intrusive culture of ads and showbiz, and supports student filmmakers by allowing them to use his music royalty-free.
So, as an artist, composer, singer, and songwriter, Gotye isn’t gone, he continues to operate according to his own principles. Stepping away from the spotlight was a natural move for him, aligned with his unwavering ethos to create, share, and support the music he passionately cherishes.
Cheers to the living legend, may he achieve Emmy and Grammy wins, along with earning a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Fingers in symphony 