In 2001, at age 21, Gotye recorded a four-track EP and made a limited number of copies, creating a unique sleeve for each. He decided to name the project Gotye (pronounced like the French "Gauthier") in homage to a pet name that his multilingual parents had often used for him. He sent the recordings to radio stations around the country and handled all of the promotion himself.
Inspired by the positive feedback he received, especially from Australian radio station Triple J, Gotye produced two subsequent self-produced and self-promoted EPs, which also received positive feedback and gained regular radio rotation. In 2003, these early recording were grouped together and released as an album, Boardface.
On August 19, 2011, Gotye's third album was released. It was titled Making Mirrors, a name inspired by a painting by Gotye's father, which is featured on the album cover. The day after the album’s release, Gotye performed the album to a sold-out crowd at the Sydney Opera House. Making Mirrors charted Top 10 in 17 countries and No. 1 in six, due in no small part to the album's hit single, "Somebody That I Used to Know." The song, which features singer-songwriter Kimbra on vocals, went on to win two 2013 Grammy Awards—for record of the year and best pop duo/group performance. Additionally, Making Mirrors won the 2012 ARIA for best album and the 2013 Grammy for best alternative music album, and Gotye received the 2012 ARIA for best male artist.
