“It’s more inspiring in the end to say
‘Well, this is what I have: what can I do with this?’”.

Wally de Backer, (Gotye)

This special Inspiration Bomb is an absolute corker, and here’s where it starts;

A couple of years ago, a funny thing happened to my friend Wally from Melbourne.

Wally is a smart guy: he could have been a scientist, or an entrepreneur, or a comedian (as you will soon hear), but in the end, he chose to be a musician.

One day, after a long and extended period of self-doubt, he wrote a great song called “Somebody that I used to know”. The clip, you may remember, features Wally (and his “duet-est” Kimbra) in the nudie with paint all over them?

Now, for some reason, and none of us will ever be able to say exactly why, the world decided to watch Wally’s film-clip hundreds of millions of times, to send his song to number one in America and all over the world, and to eventually award him this big American thingie called “A Grammy”.

As fancy as all that sounds, what’s even fancier, rarer, possibly even more interesting is the way Wally has managed this burgeoning global reputation while remaining utterly “big-hearted”, devoutly community-minded, and obsessed with sounds that others disregard.

Wally has an enormous amount to teach you about how to do what you want, and make a success of it.

What’s especially special about this particular Bomb (which is part One of Two) is that we’ve set Wally’s insights to the art-work of exceptionally talented musician/artist Tash Parker, who just happens to be the love of Wally’s life. We filmed this Bomb over at their place beside the beach on the Mornington Peninsula.

This is the first of two Inspriation Bombs featuring Wally and Tash, and it’s here to give you an absolutely unguarded peek into one of the greatest minds in Australian musical history, and one of the greatest success stories in the history of music.

Here, Wally talks about the myriad ways he collects and develops his unique sound, the drivers behind his creative process, the roles that success and money and technology have in his career, and a really incredible peek behind the scenes; music management, touring and running your music business – Wally style.

This is the second time I’ve said it: this Bomb is a CORKER and I want you to share it with everyone you know, and everyone you love.

I am also rather excited to hear your thoughts, what is your favourite quote from this Bomb? I’d like you to tell me what you think in the comments below.

And lastly, remember something for me: you are important, and regardless of how you sometimes doubt yourself, you’re always in with a chance.

Love,

CB and the B.H.B. Crew. xxoox

Today’s Credits

Inspiration Bomb #35 with Gotye and Tash Parker
Interview by Clare Bowditch
Production by Georgia Madden
Audio editing by Anthony Ackerman with assistance from Defah Dattner
Chalk Lettering by Carla Hacket