Continuing what is already an enormous year for Gotye, last night Mr. Wally De Backer claimed three awards at the Australian Performing Rights Association’s 30th Annual Awards Ceremony held in Sydney last night, topping a third of the total categories.
Gotye’s all-conquering Somebody That I Used To Know, beat out the likes of Matt Corby, Lanie Lane and even his own duetting partner Kimbra to the top gong for ‘Song of The Year.’ Also claiming awards for ”Songwriter of the Year’ and “Most Played Australian Work.’
That last one is a no-brainer, Gotye’s ubiquitous hit is currently enjoying its sixth week atop the Billboard Hot 100, is the most streamed single of the year according to the UK’s new streaming chart; and its body-paint video clip is one of the most watched YouTube videos of all time, with over 2 million+ views.
The APRA Awards ceremony even featured an exclusive rendition of Gotye’s Making Mirrors single by Tex Perkins and Tina Arena.
Following the months of commercial success, beginning with cleaning up the ARIA awards last November – receiving recognition from the peer-voted APRA’s is a distinct achievement amongst De Backer’s bulging trophy case. “It’s very flattering when your peers recognise you for putting forward quality work,” he told told ABC News
“The more commercial success I have,” he added, “the more it reminds me that it’s completely separate from the creative act in terms of success or failure and also how you believe in it yourself.”
Other winners at the ceremony included the ARIA-sweeping, folk rock quintet Boy & Bear, who were presented with the ‘Breakthrough Songwriter’ award by special guest Yusuf Islam (the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens). Birds of Tokyo won for ‘Best Rock Work of the Year’ for “Wild At Heart”, AC/DC won ‘Most Played Australian Work Overseas’ for “Highway To Hell”, while Busby Marou took home the ‘Blues And Roots’ nod.
Meanwhile Shane Nicholson took out the Country category, The Potbeleez were crowned ‘Best Dance Work’ and Marvin ‘son of Maxi’ Priest’s “Own This Club” topped the Urban award.
The night well and truly belonged to Gotye though, who was “genuinely surprised” by the runaway success of his global hit. Even humorously apologising for its saturation, “sorry for those people who listen to commercial radio and had to listen to it fifty times a day at their workplace,” he told APRA attendees before saying, “The song’s been played a lot, I know.”
And the award for ‘Understatement of the Year’ goes to…
