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)
I'll Be Rain
Ozark Henry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not like anything real
To sit by your side
To talk in disguise about love
Or whatever it is that we're thinking of
Right here
Right here
It's not like anything crazy
The state that we're in
This sharing of sin, all for love
And whatever it is that made us need this
Right here
Right here
I'll be rain, baby
I'll be rain
If you want me to rain, baby
I'll be rain
If you want me to be rain, baby
Can't you see?
It's not like anything crazy
Well it feels like a walk on the moon
The state that we're in
This sharing of sin , all for love
And whatever it is that made us need this
Right here
Right here
I'll be rain, baby
I'll be rain
If you want me to rain, baby
I'll be rain
If you want me to be rain, baby
Can't you see?
Whatever happens I will carry you through
Whatever happens I will be there in blue
I live only, I live only, I live only for you
It's not like anything ... can't you see?
Ozark Henry's "I'll Be Rain" is a song that talks about the intense emotions between two people who are in love but are also experiencing an uncertain state of mind. The song seems to suggest a situation where the characters are hiding something or perhaps keeping their true emotions hidden. The first verse of the song talks about how this situation is neither crazy nor real, yet it feels intense and powerful. The singer talks about their need to be by each other's side and talk in disguise about love or whatever they are thinking of. The lyrics "right here, right here" suggest a sense of urgency, as if the characters are aware that they might lose this moment of intimacy and connection with each other.
The second verse repeats this feeling of uncertainty by saying that the state they are in is not crazy but feels like a walk on the moon. They seem to be sharing a secret sin, something they are doing that goes against societal norms or perhaps something that they are hiding from others. Despite this, the singer says that they are doing this all for love, whatever it is that made them need this connection in the first place. The chorus of the song repeats the line "I'll be rain, baby" which suggests that the singer is willing to be everything that their partner wants or needs, even if it means falling apart like rain.
The bridge provides a glimmer of hope as the singer affirms that no matter what happens, they will carry their partner through and be there for them in blue. The phrase "be there in blue" suggests that the singer is willing to be their partner's emotional support, even if they feel sad or unhappy. The song concludes with the repetition of the phrase "it's not like anything" which suggests that this situation is unique and undefinable, yet the characters cannot help but behave in this way.
Line by Line Meaning
It's not like anything crazy
This situation is not unrealistic or absurd.
It's not like anything real
This situation feels surreal or detached from reality.
To sit by your side
To be physically close to you.
To talk in disguise about love
To have conversations about love that are not straightforward or open.
Or whatever it is that we're thinking of
Or to discuss any other type of subject that comes to mind.
The state that we're in
The current emotional state we are experiencing.
This sharing of sin, all for love
This mutual acceptance of each other's flaws or mistakes due to love.
And whatever it is that made us need this
The unknown circumstances or reasons that led us to seek this emotional connection.
I'll be rain, baby
I am willing to be there for you like rain, to provide nourishment and comfort.
If you want me to rain, baby
If you want me to be there for you and shower you with support and love.
Can't you see?
Don't you understand the depth of my willingness to be there for you?
Well it feels like a walk on the moon
The intense emotions we are experiencing feel otherworldly.
Whatever happens I will carry you through
No matter what life throws at us, I will be your constant support and strength.
Whatever happens I will be there in blue
Whether it is a happy or sad moment, I will be there for you and as emotionally invested as you are.
I live only, I live only, I live only for you
My whole existence is devoted to you and ensuring your happiness.
Contributed by John L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.