In February 2010, I went to Melbourne for a few photo jobs : promotional shots for Intercooler, Sam Keevers, Leigh Barker and a few others. I also took some live shots of The Basics when they were recording their last album live, at the Northcote Social Club (you can see the photos in their limited edition vinyl). During the same period, Wally de Backer who was working on his Gotye album “ Making Mirrors”, invited me to take some photos during one of the mixing sessions.
The mixing was done by Franc Tetaz assisted by Wally, at Andy Stewart’s self made audio studio “The Mill”. Andy is editorialist for Audiotechnology magazine; a man with a wicked sense of humour. Between Andy, Wally , Franc and Rupee many, many hours recording and analysing, delirium and inspiration conspired to produce some hilarious moments. You will understand as you look through the images below. Take a minute to explore each image and you will discover the little sparks that lightened up the heaviness of the working process.
Franc and Wally were working on Eyes Wide Open, Dig Your Own Hole and Easy Way Out.
I will let the images speak for themselves…
#1 by zac on September 1, 2011 - 9:49 am
What is the Console?
#2 by alainbouvier on September 1, 2011 - 10:01 am
old Neve desk (and Pro Tools), Sorry i don’t know much about sound.
#3 by Juergen Hauschildt on November 24, 2011 - 8:51 pm
die mitarbeiter kommen authentischer rüber. er lächelt nur. nach dem erfolg kann er auch lächeln. immerhin ist sombody in meinen augen ein wahnsinns-erfolg. hoffe nur er macht neues. das gilt auch für kimbra. bin mir sicher: wenn beide als eigene gestalten, mit eigenen vorstellungen und eigener fantasie an die sache herangehen werden sie etwas schaffen. etwas das die alten meister in den schatten stellt. da bin ich mal gespannt ob sie diese herausforderung annehmen. sie könnten es.aber tun sie es?die kreativität und das können haben sie. die fantasie auch. genauso das einfühlungsvermögen. sonst hätten sie diesen song nicht schreiben können
#4 by Esther on April 3, 2012 - 7:38 am
can you tell Gotye that I’m following in love with him?
#5 by alainbouvier on April 3, 2012 - 11:37 am
No, I won’t. Can you tell me I am a good photographer ?
#6 by Dan Aux on September 1, 2011 - 10:02 am
love it! great shots
#7 by Armen on September 1, 2011 - 10:29 am
Nana Mouskouri hah…..
#8 by gid on September 1, 2011 - 10:56 am
Alice!
#9 by alainbouvier on September 1, 2011 - 11:11 am
Oui, Alice
#10 by katie on September 1, 2011 - 11:44 am
thank you for your beautiful eye, into andys world. such an inspiring world. so wonderful to have an appreaciative eye capturing it…
#11 by Carol Khaouli on September 1, 2011 - 12:49 pm
I wish you could mix my album! I wonder what it would run me? cheers, excellent work
#12 by alainbouvier on September 1, 2011 - 11:09 pm
Hi Carol,
i should take your artwork photos instead, it will be safer 
I’m a photographer, do you really want me to mix your album ?
#13 by ayfer on September 1, 2011 - 1:15 pm
Thank you so much for sharing I am a big fan of yours and these photos are amazing
#14 by Jean Beaudoin on September 1, 2011 - 4:50 pm
Beautiful images. I likes Black & White.
Beautiful work, Alain.
#15 by Jodie on September 1, 2011 - 10:58 pm
Thankyou for sharing these wonderful shots. I am such a fan and feel so inspired by all that Gotye produces. Thankyou so much. Wally, you are amazing …LOVED your show at the Opera House. So SO good!
#16 by Leroy on September 3, 2011 - 1:29 am
Hey Alain.
Great shots
Leroy.
#17 by alainbouvier on September 3, 2011 - 2:34 am
Thanks Leroy,
#18 by spydajones on September 4, 2011 - 12:12 am
alain – stunning (2nd dog shot!!!) meg
#19 by ursula on September 26, 2011 - 3:31 pm
Rupee is so cute!Almost as great as my own labs;)
#20 by Tamara on October 6, 2011 - 4:06 pm
Fotos with YOUR dog! Super, really! Gotye-YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL. I’m crazy for YOU! Kiss from Poland
#21 by alainbouvier on October 6, 2011 - 10:40 pm
You should tell him and not me
#22 by Tamara on October 7, 2011 - 1:36 pm
Thanks,now I know that I am writing to you Alain
That was really a mistake…The moment I was writing I was sure that I wrote to Wally 
That’s a mess..sorry:)
#23 by interestingartfinder on October 9, 2011 - 8:03 pm
Inspiring pics!
Does anyone know if the artwork by Gotye is for sale somewhere?
Thx
#24 by Viky's on May 1, 2012 - 6:41 pm
Gotye’s artworks are for sale here -> http://gotye.com/news.html#store.html I think!
#25 by Mira Redmorning on November 7, 2011 - 2:39 am
Amazing Pics!
#26 by AJ on November 8, 2011 - 4:20 am
Really enjoyed the photos.
AJ
http://www.ajsteelmusic.com
#27 by Louise Crocker on November 12, 2011 - 2:16 am
Wally, your dog is so cute, makes you even more gorgeous. My mother would be so happy if you married me! Haha
Louise, your crazy emailer xx
#28 by Louise Crocker on November 12, 2011 - 2:18 am
I just did a Tamara didn’t I?
#29 by alainbouvier on November 12, 2011 - 3:00 am
Yep !
Thanks to all of you for visiting and READING the blog of Alain Bouvier, Photographer.
#30 by Kaneesha Hearn on November 18, 2011 - 12:47 pm
Woo Gotye!!
#31 by Rebecca Sykes on December 5, 2011 - 10:36 am
Merci beaucoup, Alain!
I love your artwork, gorgeously creative, beautiful black and white.
You have a new fan
Fellow avid (amature) photographer
xoxo
#32 by Rebecca Sykes on December 5, 2011 - 10:38 am
AMATEUR
#33 by sabah ingvarsson on December 17, 2011 - 9:17 pm
Hey Alain!
Great compositions. I love the overview of the whole room. And the subtle light. Wish i could have you photograph my work
you have a new follower!
xxx
#34 by Alex on December 18, 2011 - 10:23 pm
The picture with the dog and the man on the floor makes every girls heart melt away. The only question is: because of the dog or because of the man?
…Just kidding… great pictures, because they are pure like the artist is, I think. And one can see, making musik is art, but it’s also work.
#35 by Ewelina on December 19, 2011 - 9:26 pm
really good pictures !
Gotye sooo beautiful ! ♥♥♥♥
Kiss from Germany !
#36 by Fernanda Grenzi on January 21, 2012 - 2:40 pm
Lindas fotos! Adoro suas musicas e seus clips. São muitos criativos. Venha fazer um Show no Brasil!! =D
#37 by Fernanda Grenzi on January 21, 2012 - 2:41 pm
Lindas fotos! Adoro suas musicas e vídeos! Venha para o Brasil fazer um Show Gotye! =D
#38 by Jennifer Reyes on February 5, 2012 - 11:26 pm
Love the pictures!!!!! I am a new to but big fan of Gotye very interesting
love the article!
#39 by Mandy S J Williams on February 25, 2012 - 4:38 pm
Amazing pictures; I’m new to your music and really loving it, Thank you <3
#40 by alainbouvier on February 27, 2012 - 3:32 am
Mandy, again, It’s not Gotye’s blog. It’s the photographer’s blog
……
#41 by Mayte on April 14, 2012 - 7:58 am
ha ha ha!!!! sorry, Alain Bouvier, but it makes me laugh your answers to the people…. ha ha ha… no matter how much you insist, they don’t hear you!!! haha ha!!! GOOD WORK ALAIN!!!
#42 by alainbouvier on April 14, 2012 - 8:36 am
Haha, Mayte you are so rigbt ! And thank you for appreciating my work
#43 by Mandy S J Williams on February 27, 2012 - 10:13 am
Okay
never the less your pictures are amazing 
#44 by alainbouvier on February 27, 2012 - 10:55 am
Merci
#45 by Conny on March 2, 2012 - 9:28 pm
Is it Wallys dog?
Seems it tries to eat his arm in the second dog photo
Greets from Germany, Conny
#46 by alainbouvier on March 2, 2012 - 11:21 pm
It’Andy’s Dog.
#47 by Steevee Boy on March 6, 2012 - 1:52 pm
John Wayne just made me feel better bout my one pack, great work with the song
#48 by Steevee Boy on March 6, 2012 - 1:57 pm
Only jokin btw
I know it’s the photographers blog
#49 by Mia on March 21, 2012 - 9:25 pm
Alain, you are a great photographer..I love all of the pictures.. no 15&16 from the top are my favourite ones
Greetings from Sweden
/Gotye GotMY ♥
#50 by Jodie Leanne on March 22, 2012 - 12:09 am
Love these photos, really capture everything, emotions and what’s going on.
I adore Wally De Backer, his music are the themes to my life, but the photographer’s talent is one to celebrate also.
I love these! <3
#51 by Esther on April 3, 2012 - 12:19 pm
you are wonderful and emotional. Sorry if I didn’t say it before
#52 by Barbara on April 4, 2012 - 7:47 pm
Great pictures!!!
#53 by GinnyN on April 15, 2012 - 11:10 pm
You’re pictures are stunning. Thanks so much for sharing your pictures. I truly enjoyed them.
#54 by Ann on April 15, 2012 - 11:23 pm
Really fantastic photos! I’m a (terrible) amateur photog but only shoot still shots of jewelry….and I can’t do those well despite my newly purchased D3100.
I think your shots are really excellent. It must also be nice when the subject matter is excellent, too! 
Nice work.
#55 by alainbouvier on April 16, 2012 - 2:49 am
Thanks, Yes Taking photos of Wally is always a pleasure !
#56 by Carla on April 18, 2012 - 8:46 pm
Tus fotos están geniales
me encanta la del perrito jugando con Gotye en el suelo 
Your pictures are great!!! love “the Dog playing on the floor” one
#57 by Becky on April 19, 2012 - 3:22 am
Simple = elegant. Simply elegant. Thank you for the beautiful photos and insight into the work of making music. So on a photographer’s work, how many pictures did you take total? What is the percentage of really great photos out of total number of photos taken?
#58 by alainbouvier on April 19, 2012 - 3:36 am
Thank You,
. Seriously I don’t and I won’t tell It was an all day photo reportage. The selection was done to tell a story and describe the mixing process without unnecessary images.
I took a few. What is the pourcentange ? 100%
#59 by Tyler on April 19, 2012 - 7:46 am
You are clearly unobtrusive and/or they felt very comfortable with you to get these relax and unselfconscious
shots. They are great capture of both the focus and fun during the session. Thank you for sharing!
#60 by cherryred on April 20, 2012 - 1:36 pm
Great pics and great music!!!!
#61 by Julie on April 24, 2012 - 10:43 pm
I love the mood of the 3rd to last photo. The window light, the console … nice shot.
#62 by sean on April 29, 2012 - 4:44 am
Awesome photos. Love to see things being made. Especially in a cozy mixing room!
#63 by Viky's on May 1, 2012 - 6:50 pm
These pictures are really really really wonderful! I love the Black and White style! And are you French?! I love France, and I live next to it
I live at XXmiglia, next to Montecarlo! You’ve got a new follower 
thanks for these photos, and sorry but my English is awful! Thanks again! I hope that you’ll have new photos soon!
#64 by Mariana Godínez on May 13, 2012 - 5:34 pm
My name is Mariana and I’m from Puebla, Mexico. I must say that I haven’t fallen in love for somebody’s music like this since I discovered Oasis back in 1997. I find Gotye´s music refreshing and different. I´ve listened to his three albums over and over. Here in Mexico he´s not on the radio yet, but I´m counting on it to happen very soon so that he consider coming to perform in a concert.
#65 by Steph on May 15, 2012 - 3:33 am
Nice pics. Cute doggie!!!!
#66 by Jenny Sanchez on May 15, 2012 - 3:59 am
… thank you for the token Frodo shot. I enjoyed the photos – my eyes had to work. You did mostly black & white – any reason in particular?
#67 by alainbouvier on May 15, 2012 - 4:02 am
Because i love Black and white photos
#68 by Jenny on May 15, 2012 - 9:57 pm
I can see why. there is one shot there in the “blue” room – it’s amazing that you actually feel something more compelling from the one just below it in B&W. I think sometimes people today are being cheated by having so much reality at their fingertips… you don’t excercise the imagination at all. But the photos are like reading a nice old book. Cheers!
#69 by Lucie on May 15, 2012 - 12:32 pm
Really amazing work, Alain
Thanks for this pics.
#70 by sean on May 15, 2012 - 11:51 pm
I love the b&w shot of Wally looking to the right with a crisp eye…
#71 by Oblio Arrow on May 18, 2012 - 7:15 pm
“State of the Art” is my favorite song off Making Mirrors and it should be released as a single. Your photos are great. Thanks for sharing.
#72 by Catherine Seropian on June 13, 2012 - 2:08 pm
Vos photos sont magnifiques (j’adore le noir et blanc pour toutes les nuances de gris que cela génère) et rien ne vaut les photos prises sur le vif (naturel garanti !). Dommage que je sois nulle en photo !
Ambiance détenue …… mais studieuse !
Tout ce petit monde à l’air de bien s’entendre !
Et le résultat est là : L’album de Gotye est génial, même si j’ai toujours un petit faible pour le second album « like drawing blood », sûrement à cause de « Hearts a mess » dont le clip, la musique, et bien sûr la voix de Gotye sont une pure merveille…….. dont je ne me lasse pas.
Bonne continuation pour votre travail (la photo vaut bien la cuisine et les deux ne sont nullement incompatibles ! (mon mari est cuisinier)
#73 by jasonswe on September 8, 2012 - 11:24 pm
For sure, you captured the intensity of a mix session…but also with the flow of your images, you created a human event. Nice insights. Thanks for sharing.
#74 by Joann Buehler on October 24, 2012 - 11:54 pm
Very beautiful photos, Alain! The black and white images look so crisp – kudos! And, thanks for sharing them.
#75 by Mel on November 3, 2012 - 6:26 pm
C’est quand même hallucinant que personne parle de la photo du fondateur de la scientologie sur presque toutes vos photos ! Excellentes photos d’ailleurs. Mais donc, est-ce que Ron L. Hubbard est le dieu de tout ce beau monde ?
#76 by alainbouvier on November 9, 2012 - 12:11 am
Merci.
Surtout pas, la photo de RLH est la pour provoquer.
#77 by Mel on November 26, 2012 - 12:02 am
Ou pour en faire la promotion ? C’est ambigü. Enfin, ça ne m’a pas laissé pas indifférente, ça c’est certain !
#78 by alainbouvier on November 27, 2012 - 12:01 am
Oui,C’est ambigu, c’est tout l’intérêt
#79 by Shari Heath on November 8, 2012 - 11:37 pm
The photos really are awesome….what other subjects do you photograph, I’d love to see more…..
#80 by alainbouvier on November 9, 2012 - 12:09 am
just check the rest of the blog
#81 by Shari Heath on November 9, 2012 - 12:23 am
They are all good, the snake and bird shots are very good….my daughter is into photography and she takes some really amazing animal shots….. some of the people/band shots are pretty intriguing too.
#82 by dialogue4design on March 4, 2013 - 4:44 am
I can see some cover shots in there, Alain – merci pour l’images!