Gotye by the ears: singer scoops awards

CHART-TOPPING musician Wally de Backer, aka Gotye, last night capped an incredible 12 months by taking out three APRA awards.

Gotye

CHART-TOPPING musician Wally de Backer, aka Gotye, last night capped an incredible 12 months by taking out three APRA awards, including the coveted song-of-the-year gong for his international hit Somebody That I Used to Know.

Recorded with New Zealand singer Kimbra, Somebody That I Used to Know -- a No 1 record in more than 10 countries, including Australia, Britain and the US, where it remains No 1 -- also took out the Australasian Performing Rights Association's most-played Australian work award, while de Backer himself was crowned songwriter of the year.

Not even the presence of Yusuf Islam -- the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens who presented rising Sydney indie band Boy and Bear with the breakthrough-songwriters award -- could overshadow the Melbourne-based de Backer at the gala event at Sydney's Parkside Ballroom.

The musician recently became only the fifth Australian act to have a No 1 hit on the US Billboard chart with Somebody That I Used to Know, in its sixth week at the top of the US singles charts following performances on US TV programs Saturday Night Live and Glee.

The Belgian-born musician wrote and recorded the break-up song, which samples Brazilian guitarist Luiz Bonfa, in his parents' house on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula. He was recognised by APRA as a "musician at the top of his game".

His signature tune, performed last night by Tex Perkins and Tina Arena, overcame competition in the peer-voted best-song category from Kimbra's Cameo Lover, Lanie Lane's (Oh Well) That's What You Get (For Falling in Love With a Cowboy), Brother by Matt Corby and the Beards' You Should Consider Having Sex With a Bearded Man.

The APRA awards, hosted in their 30th anniversary year last night by playwright David Biggins and singer Missy Higgins, recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance of Australasian artists.

Shane Nicholson claimed the country category for Famous Last Words, while the Blues & Roots gong went to Rockhampton duo Busby Marou (Tom Busby and Jeremy Marou) for Biding My Time.

The Potbelleez's Australian No 1 From The Music, written with Justin Shave, won the best dance work; Birds of Tokyo took out the rock category for Wild at Heart, and Marvin Priest -- son of British reggae guru Maxi Priest -- took out the urban award for Own This Club.