The debut became "I'm seeking something that has already found me", in 1996. The record was recorded in the "Ozark Henry Living Room", but was produced in the Synsound studio's by another electronic guru: Telex-man Dan Lacksman. The result was a multi-layered cd that was received well in the press. The originality of the music was proven by the multitude of comparisons that were found to classify it in the press: Tricky, Scott Walker, The The, Soul Coughing, Bowie, John Zorn, Frank Zappa, Moby, Gavin Friday (perhaps nowadays Dead Man Ray would also have been mentioned ...)
In Knack, Jan Delvaux reviewed the record as follows : "Ozark Heny fits in the series of clever belgian recyclists (dEUS, Evil Superstars, Vaya Con Dios ...) that surprise the world more and more often. The mission of this duo is situated in dance-related areas, although the apparent traces of rap, acid jazz, jungle, triphop and techno are nothing but a vague first coating. On top of this come strange noises and very complicated song-structures full of surprising twists and turns. It makes this record a turbulent document with a filmic bias. The steadiest element in all this is the voice of Piet Goddaer ... Despite the many layers, the entrance gate is wide open. "I'm seeking" is, albeit a very unusual, a very impressive pop-album."
In the summer of 1997, material for a second album was recorded. This cd never has seen the light (only the song "Summer Junkie" made it to the second album), because the first one was released in France by Sony and started doing very well over there. (eg. from Les Inrockuptibles : "Ozark Henry : c'est du triphop Zappien mariné dans le formol du jazz experimental et drappé dans les fantômes de la new wave."). As Piet Goddaer said in de Morgen : "In the meantime, the record had been lying there and felt like an old thing when we came back from France. I want to release a cd when it's still fresh. That's why we made a new record."
The second cd eventually became "This last warm solitude", released in October 1998. Noticeable changes are that the songstructures have become much more "simple", that Piet Goddaer now sings more than he raps, and that quite a lot of melancholy has crept into the lyrics and songs. The "layered-ness" of the music, the richness of the sound and the electronic programming of the songs have remained. The production was in the hands of Goddaer himself, aided by Roy Spong and Mark Phythian, the left- and right-hand of Gil Norton (Pixies ...).
The melancholic single "Radio" (about an incurably ill friend) received a lot of airplay, and the reception of this more easily accessible record has been very promising so far : (vb. Teek : "This last warm solitude is like a labyrinth lying in the sun, with every new junction sounding off an inviting welcome" - vb. De Morgen : "Musically this colorful jigsaw of triphop, eighties wave, experimental pop and minimal music has everything to make a lasting impression, far beyond the Belgian borders."
On stage, the group gives a lot of attention to the visual aspect. Piet Goddaer in De Morgen : "For me, sound and vision always come together. The record is also a soundtrack to a non-existing film for me. On stage, we make the images live, an organic process where image and sound feed each other. A lot can go wrong in that chain, but if there were only secure things, I wouldn't be interested in being up there." At the end of 1999, "This Last Warm Solitude" was re-released, with an extra cd containing a live-show in Paris.
In March 2000, Ozark Henry did a contribution to the "Glittering 2000" project, on which belgian bands covered songs from the glamrock era, by doing a version of David Bowie's "Suffragette City". Under the nickname Sunzoo Manley, a pseudo which emerged for the first time on the single "If This Is Love" of LaTchak (a sideproject of Front 242), he then proceeded onto a totally different project. In the band Sunzoo Manley, he joined forces with drummer Stéphane Galland (Aka Moon) & saxophone player Frank Deruytter (Wizards of Ooze). The debut CD "To All Our Escapes", a fine exercise in crossing jazz with (break)beats, was released in March 2001.
Also in 2001, he released his third album as Ozark Henry, this time with the title "Birth Marks" (thus, Piet Goddaer found himself twice on the same day at Pukkelpop, with both his projects: Ozark Henry and Sunzoo Manley). The actual CD-release was for September 10, but there was already a promo-single "Rescue" at the end of August, distributed through the website of Studio Brussels.
For the recordings of "Birthmarks", Ozark Henry got the support of the Audrey Riley Octet, an ensemble that has a track record including work for Blur, The Cure, Muse, Coldplay and Smashing Pumpkins. Started with no less than 90 songs for the choosing, only 10 tracks made it to the actual album (which was released in a limited edition, wit 5 bonus tracks). As the bio says : "10 songs that can only be described as "rich": gospel choirs, brass sections, strings, and the newly discovered Voice. The sum of all these parts: pop music with brains and emotions, adaptable to every possible biorhythm".
In 2004 "The Sailor not the Sea" is released. It features Jah Wobble, Jaki Liebezeit and again Audrey Riley. It is very well received and hits gold in no time.
Band members :
- Piet Goddaer (vocals, sequensing, programming)
- Dick Descamps (bass - on stage only)
- Stef Catteeuw (guitar - on stage only)
- Rik Debruyne (drums - on stage only)
formerly also
- Filip Tanghe (programming)
- Paul Isaac (keyboards - on stage only)
Breaking Up
Ozark Henry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Guilty of this and guilty of that
Too near the flame to spot the light
It could be so, but that's not enough
Without you near me
I have no defence
It feels like
My world's closing in
I need to hear your voice
Something has gone out of me
Now I get out into the night
Inventing you, inventing me
I full-circle putting it right
Without you near me
I have no defence
It feels like
My world's closing in
Talk to me
I need to hear your voice
The lyrics of Ozark Henry's "Breaking Up" describe the feelings of pain and desperation that come with the end of a relationship. The singer acknowledges his own faults in the relationship, expressing guilt and regret for his actions. He admits that he was too blinded by his own desires to truly see what was going on between them, ultimately leading to the downfall of their love. The line "too near the flame to spot the light" is particularly powerful, suggesting that he was so close to the passion of their relationship that he couldn't see the truth and beauty of their love.
The chorus of the song, "Without you near me, I have no defense, it feels like my world's closing in, talk to me, I need to hear your voice," represents the need for the singer's partner in his life. He feels a deep sense of loss and helplessness without them, and he longs for their presence and communication to anchor him in reality. He feels like his world is closing in around him without them, and he needs their voice to make him feel safe and stable once more.
Overall, the lyrics of "Breaking Up" are a powerful and emotional portrayal of the pain of losing someone you love. The singer's honesty and vulnerability make the song truly moving and relatable to anyone who has experienced heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
Breaking up is breaking down
The act of breaking up is causing me to feel like I am breaking down.
Guilty of this and guilty of that
I acknowledge that I am to blame for certain things that led to the breakup.
Too near the flame to spot the light
I was too close to the situation to see things clearly and recognize the warning signs.
It could be so, but that's not enough
Although there is potential for things to work out, I realize that alone is not enough to fix what's broken.
Without you near me
I have no defence
I feel vulnerable and defenseless without you by my side.
It feels like
My world's closing in
My world feels like it's getting smaller and more suffocating without you in my life.
Talk to me
I need to hear your voice
I crave communication with you in order to feel some level of connection again and to cope with the pain of the breakup.
Something has gone out of me
The breakup has caused me to lose a part of myself or my identity.
Now I get out into the night
I am trying to cope with the breakup by going out and seeking distraction or new experiences.
Inventing you, inventing me
I full-circle putting it right
Through new experiences or trying to reinvent myself, I hope to find a way to make things right between us or within myself.
Contributed by Cole C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MariaClara-lr5zc
I Cant believe that I finally found this song...God I looked for this song for years and I love this song
@converter8230
Same !!!!
@ignaciogarciacondeortiz4509
SAme with me. TUrns out a had a DVD of this song XD. Ohhh i am so happy
@MD-kg1kq
Am immensely glad you found this song. But am convinced that god and yes with a lowercase letter, has nothing to do with it.
@MariaClara-lr5zc
@@MD-kg1kq Shame of you
@MD-kg1kq
@@MariaClara-lr5zc Shame me. For what?
@markmassive1
i love the singing Conversation between both, it is a magical Message behind it,very lovely, finest Music. Many Thanks to Ozark Henry!
@redskill2.023
wa een mooie schijf ozark you rock top
@AlexanderRodriguez-vl4oi
When i first herd your song i was in a daze and i got the chills throw my whole body i haven't seen the video yet and immediately i thought of Jesus are lord and saver and i got tears in my eyes
@paulosantos2814
LINDA DEMAIS!