Piet Goddaer is a Belgian musician who received Zamu Awards as best songwriter/composer, best pop/rock and best producer. His first four albums were certified as platinum. And the last his record “Stay Gold” probably will have the same status.

The song “I'm Your Sacrifice” is one of the biggest tracks across Europe in 2013. It began gain popularity in Belgium and then spread across many countries.

Piet told us about his “I’m your sacrifice” experience, his long music career and how it started and a lot of other interesting moments from musician’s life…

Interviewer: Piet, where in the world are you right now?

Piet: I am in Paris.

Interviewer: Whenever you look back at 2013 you will always remember it as the year of “I’m Your Sacrifice” – a phenomenal year for your record going platinum in Belgium, mental in Italy and now about to be released in the UK. Well let us begin with you telling us how this record first began…

Piet: I wrote it at the end of 2012 to produce it in December of that year at my home studio at the seaside in Belgium – I wanted to be close to how I started making music 15 years ago working on my own. Tim Bran (London Grammar) came over in January 2013 to do the final mixes.

Interviewer: When did you become aware that you were sitting on something pretty damned special?

Piet: To test the songs I performed them with my band supporting Wilco in Germany. The outcome was surprising. And as soon as I finished the production and I played a track to anyone it was clear this was more than just another album…

Interviewer: You must be very pleased with the reaction it has received in italy, this is a territory where you have no history?

Piet: Yes of course, I always had a love for the Italian culture and cuisine, so it means a lot to me, that of all places in the world, this is the country where it kicks off first.

Interviewer: Tell us about some of the superstar DJs who have been spinning this tune…

Piet: I have to mention Francesco Rossi who is actually the link to my Italian label. I was looking for someone to remix “I'm Your Sacrifice” as Francesco's work took my attention – when I was in Milan at the end of last year, I heard it in a club, it was awesome.

Interviewer: Where is the strangest place you have heard it being played in Belgium?

Piet: Belgium is a strange place, so the fact that they played it literally everywhere was quite astonishing.

Interviewer: Tell us about “Godspeed” that you created with Francesco…

Piet: I wrote the tune in 2006 and passed on some older tunes to Francesco as we were set to work on a new track. Francesco said it was his favorite and as it has always been one of mine and I have never done anything with it, it seemed obvious to work on it. The track's about climate change and on the urgency to do something before it is too late. In America, scientists who actively speak out on climate change were often called heretics.

Interviewer: Okay let us kick back for a moment. You exploded on the Belgian music scene in the mid of 90s, but can you tell us who your musical influences were growing up…

Piet: My dad is a classical composer and a Jazzkat. He taught me to appreciate Stravinsky through Frank Zappa. He got me “Hot Rats” when I was 8 years old stating ‘cool no, well this guy's very influenced by Stravinsky'.

Interviewer: Were your dad happy for you to pursue a career in music or did he want you to do something else?

Piet: No, my dad thought I had the talent but was far too different than anything going on at that time, and so he thought I would never be able to make a living.

Interviewer: Your first four albums went platinum and your latest long player “Stay Gold” is about to do the same any day now, how would you say your musical style/direction has progressed/developed since you began?

Piet: I started out as an electronic artist with classical skills, I still work that way, but I produce my sounds more acoustic than before.

Interviewer: One evening I definitely want to ask you about is the night performing for the Belgian King at the Royal Palace in December. How was that?!?

Piet: That was cool. I was surprised though that me playing barefoot was the talk of the town afterwards. I just felt very welcome and appreciated.

Interviewer: Over in the UK when you mention the Eurovision Song Contest people turn a shade of green and walk out of the room. You however are one of the 4 experts choosing/coaching/producing the Belgium entrant for this year’s competition. We all remember the little cheat Sandra Kim winning it for you in 1986 even though she was underage, so what are this year’s wannabes all about?

Piet: I'm to help out on the A&R side, but I'm not familiar with Eurosong as a concept – I'm doing my job as I would do for any other label… 

Interviewer: Who are some of the producers from around the world you are giving high fives to at the moment?

Piet: Pharrell Williams, Nerd is still flying high, Tim Bran did a fantastic job for London Grammar, Nigel Godrich is always amazing...”

Interviewer: What in your eyes has been your best ever live performance?

Piet: I was Ambassador for the National Orchestra of Belgium when they celebrated their 175 anniversary recently. We did a few shows together. To be on stage with 94 musicians creating this wall of sound really lifts you to a higher level.

Interviewer: What is on a typical Sunday chilled soundtrack at your house?

Piet: On a Sunday I go down to the sea and listen…

Interviewer: The best album you heard recently?

Piet: “London Grammar” without a doubt…

Interviewer: And finally, what are the current studio projects you are working on?

Piet: I'm working on the new film of Stephan Streker.

You can also find Ozark Henry – “I’m Your Sacrifice” on:

Beatport
http://www.beatport.com/release/im-your-sacrifice-remixes/1184477
iTunes
https://itunes.apple.com/it/album/im-your-sacrifice-radio-edit/id731443171
Soundcloud
https://soundcloud.com/dvisionrecords/sets/ozark-henry-im-your

Ozark Henry – Stay Gold (Album)
https://itunes.apple.com/it/album/stay-gold/id787144724

 

Interview materials are taken from: http://www.dmcworld.net