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'''Pieter Bourke''' is an [[Australia]]n percussionist, composer, and audio engineer. He has collaborated with [[Dead Can Dance]], and recorded material with ex-Dead Can Dance [[Lisa Gerrard]]. He also collaborated with Australian musician [[David Thrussell]] (alias [[Black Lung]]), first as part of the later's band [[Snog]], then only both of them under the project name [[Soma (band)|Soma]]. Bourke and Lisa Gerrard received two shared [[Golden Globe]] nominations for Best Original Score in 2000 and 2002, for ''[[The Insider (film)|The Insider]]'' (1999) and ''[[Ali (film)|Ali]]'' (2001) respectively<REF>[http://imdb.com/name/nm0100020/awards "Awards for
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2012}}
Pieter Bourke"], Internet Movie Database, op. cit.</REF>.
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Pieter Bourke
| image =
| image_size =
| landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| alt =
| caption =
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| birth_name = Pieter Bourke
| alias =
| birth_date = <!-- {{birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| birth_place = [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]]
| origin =
| death_date = <!-- {{death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (death date 1st) -->
| death_place =
| genre = [[Neoclassical dark wave]], [[Ambient music|ambient]], [[World music|world]], [[soundtrack]], [[Dub music|dub]], [[electro-industrial]]
| occupation = Musician, composer, producer, audio engineer
| instrument = Keyboards, synthesizers, samplers, drums and percussion
| years_active = 1987–present
| label = [[4AD]], Third Mind, Extreme, Elysium, [[Shock Records|Shock]], [[Sony Music|Sony]], Nightshift, Karmic Hit, [[Projekt Records|Projekt]], Master Tunes
| associated_acts = [[Eden (Australian band)|Eden]]<br />[[Snog (band)|Snog]]<br />[[Soma (band)|Soma]]<br />[[Lisa Gerrard]]<br />[[Dead Can Dance]]<br />[[Secret Masters]]
| website = {{URL|www.pieterbourke.com}}
}}


'''Pieter Bourke''' is an Australian musician, composer, producer and audio engineer. From 1995 he has recorded several projects with [[Dead Can Dance]] founder [[Lisa Gerrard]], and was a touring member of [[Dead Can Dance]]'s 1996 Spiritchaser Tour. On 14 April 1998 Bourke and Gerrard issued a [[world music]] album, ''[[Duality (Lisa Gerrard & Pieter Bourke album)|Duality]]''. From 1993 he also collaborated with [[industrial music]]ian, David Thrussell (alias [[Snog (band)|Black Lung]]), first as part of the latter's band [[Snog (band)|Snog]], then together as the [[ambient music|ambient]] duo, [[Soma (band)|Soma]]. In 2001, he formed a [[Dub music|dub reggae]] outfit, Secret Masters, with Brian Westbrook (a.k.a. Donnie Dub). Bourke and Gerrard have received two shared Golden Globe nominations for '[[Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score]]', in [[57th Golden Globe Awards|2000]] for ''[[The Insider (film)|The Insider]]'' (1999), and in [[59th Golden Globe Awards|2002]] for ''[[Ali (film)|Ali]]'' (2001).
==Discography==


==Career==
Partial discography:
===Early years and Eden===
{{main|Eden (Australian band)}}
Pieter Bourke grew up in [[Melbourne]], Australia. At the age of 12 years he learned to play an electronic drum and was largely self-taught as a percussionist and keyboardist.<ref name="DCDBioBourke">{{cite web | url = http://www.deadcandance.info/pieter.html | title = A Few Words About Pieter Bourke | work = Spiritchaser Tour Program | publisher = [[Dead Can Dance]] | year = 1996 | accessdate = 25 September 2012 }}</ref> From 1987 to 1988 he completed a course in Graphic Design at [[Chisholm Institute of Technology]]. In 1987 Bourke formed the Melbourne-based electronic pop rock band [[Eden (Australian band)|Eden]], providing keyboards, rhythm programming and percussion. Fellow founders were Sean Bowley (ex-All Things Unseen) on vocals and guitar, and Ross Healy on bass guitar. Eden's first gig was at the Baden Powell Hotel, [[Prahran, Victoria|Prahran]], they soon performed at other pubs in Melbourne's alternative music scene.<ref name="Bowley">{{cite web | url = http://www.blurredlipstick.com/sean/about.html | title = About Me, All Things Unseen & Eden | last = Bowley | first = Sean | publisher = Sean Bowley Official Website | date = 16 January 2007 | accessdate = 25 September 2012 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130118170357/http://www.blurredlipstick.com/sean/about.html | archive-date = 18 January 2013}}</ref> In 1989 they issued their debut five-track extended play, ''[[The Light Between Worlds]]'', on the Scottish label Nightshift Records. The lead track, "Shallow Mists", was co-written by Bourke with Bowley and Healy.<ref name="APRAShallow">{{Cite web | title = 'Shallow Mists' at APRA search engine | url = http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/worksearch.axd?q=Shallow%20Mists | publisher = [[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) | accessdate = 24 September 2012 }}</ref> They released a single, "Searching for Angels Hands", which broadened their audience by a performance on national pop music TV series, ''[[Countdown (Australian TV series)#Countdown Revolution era|Countdown Revolution]]''. The single was also co-written by Bourke, Bowley and Healy.<ref name="APRASearching">{{Cite web | title = 'Searching for Angels Hands' at APRA search engine | url = http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/worksearch.axd?q=Searching%20for%20Angels%20Hands | publisher = Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | accessdate = 24 September 2012 }}</ref>


In 1990 Eden released a full-length studio album, ''[[Gateway to the Mysteries]]'', on the English label Third Mind Records and in Australia on Elysium Records via [[Shock Records]].<ref name="Gateway"/><ref name="AMGGateway">{{cite web | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r54729 |pure_url=yes}} | title = ''Gateway to the Mysteries'' – Eden | publisher = [[AllMusic]]| accessdate = 24 September 2012 }}</ref> Its sixth track, "Spectral Pleasures", was co-written by Bourke and Bowley,<ref name="APRASpectral">{{Cite web | title = 'Spectral Pleasures' at APRA search engine | url = http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/worksearch.axd?q=Spectral%20Pleasures | publisher = Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | accessdate = 24 September 2012 }}</ref> and was dedicated to the memory of Valerie Mary Bourke.<ref name="Gateway">{{cite AV media notes | title = Gateway to the Mysteries |others= Eden |year=1989 |type=[[CD]] | publisher = Elysium Records, [[Shock Records]] | id = ELYCD1 }}</ref> Bourke's last recorded output with Eden was a six-track EP, ''[[Healingbow]]'', released in 1993 on [[Projekt Records]]. The lead track was co-written by Bourke and Bowley.<ref name="APRAHealing">{{Cite web | title = 'Healingbow' at APRA search engine | url = http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/worksearch.axd?q=Healingbow | publisher = Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | accessdate = 24 September 2012 }}</ref> [[Allmusic]]'s Ned Raggett found "Bourke's percussive work isn't as unique as that of his obvious inspirations in Dead Can Dance, but it's still very fine stuff, suiting and setting the songs' feelings and pace very well".<ref name="Raggett">{{cite web | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r286650 |pure_url=yes}} | title = ''Healingbow'' – Eden | last = Raggett | first = Ned | publisher = AllMusic| accessdate = 24 September 2012 }}</ref> Bourke is credited with [[Hammered dulcimer|hammer dulcimer]], keyboards, percussion and programming while additional drums and remix work was provided by guest musician, David Thrussell (see [[Snog (band)|Black Lung]]).<ref name="AMGHealingbow">{{cite web | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r286650/credits |pure_url=yes}} | title = ''Healingbow'' – Eden : Credits | publisher = AllMusic| accessdate = 24 September 2012 }}</ref> From early 1993 Bowley suffered from [[Infectious mononucleosis|glandular fever]] and late that year Bourke left the group.<ref name="Bowley"/>
* 1998 - ''[[Duality (album)|Duality]]'' CD with [[Lisa Gerrard]] ([[4AD Records|4AD]])
* 1998 - ''The Human Game'' CD EP with [[Lisa Gerrard]] ([[4AD Records|4AD]])


===Collaborations with David Thrussell===
==References==
{{main|Snog (band)}}
In 1993 Pieter Bourke began a collaborative partnership with Thrussell. They shared an interest in European electronic music and the emerging audio sampling technology. Bourke joined Thrussell's techno-industrial band [[Snog (band)|Snog]], playing keyboards live and writing new material with Thrussell. Snog had formed in 1989 by Thrussell with fellow art school mates, Tim McGrath and Julia Bourke. Snog's first single with Pieter Bourke aboard, "Born to Be Mild", is credited to Julia Mary Bourke, Thrussell and McGrath.<ref name="BornMild">{{cite web | url = https://www.ascap.com/Home/ace-title-search/index.aspx | title = ASCAP – ACE Title Search | publisher = [[American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers]] (ASCAP) | accessdate = 24 September 2012 }} Note: User to click on 'Title' tab and enter song title e.g. Born to be Mild.</ref> It was followed by their Christmas single, "Hey Christian God", which was co-written by Pieter Bourke and Thrussell.<ref name="APRAHey">{{Cite web | title = 'Hey Christian God' at APRA search engine | url = http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/worksearch.axd?q=Hey%20Christian%20God | publisher = Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | accessdate = 24 September 2012 }}</ref> In 1994 a full-length album, ''Dear Valued Customer'', was released and was supported by live performances across Australia. Bourke co-wrote three&nbsp;tracks for the 1996 Snog album, ''Buy Me...I’ll Change Your Life'', including the singles "The Future" and "Hooray".<ref name="APRAFuture">{{Cite web | title = 'The Future' at APRA search engine | url = http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/worksearch.axd?q=The%20Future | publisher = Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | accessdate = 25 September 2012 }}</ref><ref name="APRAHooray">{{Cite web | title = 'Hooray' at APRA search engine | url = http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/worksearch.axd?q=Hooray | publisher = Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | accessdate = 25 September 2012 }}</ref> His last contribution to Snog was "The Grey Menace", which was co-written with Thrusell,<ref name="APRAGrey">{{Cite web | title = 'The Grey Menace' at APRA search engine | url = http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/worksearch.axd?q=The%20Grey%20Menace | publisher = Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) | accessdate = 25 September 2012 }}</ref> and appeared on the 1999 release ''Third Mall from the Sun''.


Parallel to Snog, also in 1993, Bourke and Thrussell created an [[ambient music|ambient]] duo, Soma. A self-titled seven-track CD was recorded and released in 1993. It was expanded with the addition of six songs and released as ''Hollow Earth'' on 15 December 1994.<ref name="Kavadias"/> Allmusic's Theo Kavadias described the release, "Bourke's organic influence wrapped around Thrussell's electro sensibilities created exotic constructions that skirted the borders of ambience, techno and soundtrack with a vocabulary both stylish and deep".<ref name="Kavadias">{{cite web | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r302881/review |pure_url=yes}} | title = ''Hollow Earth'' – Soma : Review | last = Kavadias | first = Theo | publisher = AllMusic| accessdate = 25 September 2012 }}</ref>
; Sources consulted


In 1996 Soma released ''The Inner Cinema'', which "sees the collaboration between Thrussell and Bourke evolve and deepen from the tone set by their debut" according to Kavadias.<ref name="Kavadias2">{{cite web | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r532661/review |pure_url=yes}} | title = ''The Inner Cinema'' – Soma : Review | last = Kavadias | first = Theo | publisher = AllMusic| accessdate = 25 September 2012 }}</ref> ''Stygian Vistas'', an eight-track EP was released on 1 July 1997, it contains a remixes of tracks from the first two albums plus three new songs.<ref name="Raggett2">{{cite web | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r302883/review |pure_url=yes}} | title = ''Stygian Vistas'' – Soma : Review | last = Raggett | first = Ned | publisher = AllMusic| accessdate = 25 September 2012 }}</ref> Bourke and Thrussell took a hiatus from Soma to work on other projects, they re-emerged in 2000 with a four-track CD EP, ''My Ancient Vihmaana''.
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20021013052444/www.pieterbourke.com/biography/bios.php?bio_id=1 Pieter Bourke.com official biography as cached in 2002] at [[Archive.org]]
* {{imdb name|0100020}}


===Collaborations with Lisa Gerrard===
; Endnotes
In 1995 Pieter Bourke began working with [[Lisa Gerrard]], co-founder of the world music group, [[Dead Can Dance]]. Bourke provided bass guitar, [[Goblet drum|darabeka]], drums, hand clapping, [[tabla]] and backing vocals on Gerrard’s first solo album, ''[[The Mirror Pool]]'' (August 1995).<ref name="AMGMirror">{{cite web | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r223726/credits |pure_url=yes}} | title = ''The Mirror Pool'' – Lisa Gerrard : Credits | publisher = AllMusic| accessdate = 25 September 2012 }}</ref> He became a touring member of her band for concerts in Europe and North America. In late 1996 Bourke played keyboards and percussion for Dead Can Dance on their Spiritchaser Tour, to promote the band's album of the [[Spiritchaser|same name]] (June 1996).<ref name="DCDBioBourke"/> His favourite instruments, at the time, were the [[Tar (drum)|Near Eastern tar]] and Egyptian darabukka.<ref name="DCDBioBourke"/>


In 1997 Gerrard invited Bourke to perform on her second solo album, ''[[Duality (Lisa Gerrard & Pieter Bourke album)|Duality]]''.<ref name="AMGDuality"/> As well as playing percussion and keyboards, Bourke was asked to engineer and co-produce the recordings. As work progressed, Bourke’s role expanded from session musician and recording assistant to full partner.<ref name="AMGDuality"/> The album was co-credited to Gerrard and Bourke and released on 14 April 1998 on the [[4AD Records]] label.<ref name="AMGDuality">{{cite web | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r347142/ |pure_url=yes}} | title = ''Duality'' – Lisa Gerrard | last = Raggett | first = Ned | publisher = AllMusic| accessdate = 25 September 2012 }}</ref> All the tracks were co-written by Bourke and Gerrard, except "Tempest" which is co-credited to Bourke, Gerrard and [[Iranian peoples|Iranian]] musician, Madjid Khaladj.<ref name="AMGDuality"/> Raggett observed that "Bourke's own contributions ... mesh excellently with her instrumental work and, since no specific credit appears instrument for instrument, everything works as a true partnership".<ref name="AMGDuality"/> According to Michael Lund of ''Last Sigh Magazine'', "Gerrard has commented that the recording process of ''Duality'' was one of rare synchronicity, and that her and Bourke experienced moments of spiritual elevation while creating the music".<ref name="Lund">{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090603012909/http://www.lastsigh.com/reviews/gerrardduality.htm | url = http://www.lastsigh.com/reviews/gerrardduality.htm | work = Last Sigh Magazine | title = Lisa Gerrard & Pieter Bourke – ''Duality'' | first = Michael C | last = Lund | archive-date = 3 June 2009 | date = 17 May 1998 | accessdate = 25 September 2012 | issn = 1529-5826 | publisher = K. A. Alexander }}</ref> "The Human Game" was released as a single from the album, accompanied by a music video. The album also contains "Sacrifice" which is used in film and television shows.
{{reflist}}

In 1998 Bourke and Gerrard were asked by Italian director Ivana Massetti to contribute music to ''Nadro'', a French documentary on West African visual artist, poet and author, [[Frederic Bruly Bouabre]]. Two tracks from the score were included on "The Human Game" CD single: "Awakening" and "Jungabya". In 1999 Bourke and Gerrard composed the soundtrack for the film, ''[[The Insider (film)|The Insider]]'' by American director, [[Michael Mann (director)|Michael Mann]]. Allmusic's [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] stated their score was "eerie and haunting, somewhere between ambient and new age, but always evocative and cinematic. This may be a strange choice for a seemingly dry journalism tale, but it works terrifically and gives a good sense of how unusual and unpredictable ''The Insider'' is".<ref name="Erlewine">{{cite web | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r441752/ |pure_url=yes}} | title = ''The Insider'' – Lisa Gerrard | last = Erlewine | first = Stephen Thomas | author-link = Stephen Thomas Erlewine | publisher = AllMusic| accessdate = 25 September 2012 }}</ref> In January [[57th Golden Globe Awards|2000]] the film received three [[Golden Globe Award]] nominations, including '[[Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score]]' for Bourke and Gerrard.<ref name="GG57">{{cite web | url = http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/year/1999 | title = The 57th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2000) | publisher = [[Hollywood Foreign Press Association]] | accessdate = 25 September 2012 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101229135040/http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/year/1999 | archive-date = 29 December 2010}}</ref> In 2001 Bourke and Gerrard scored Mann’s next film, a bio-pic about World Boxing Champion, [[Muhammad Ali]]. In January [[59th Golden Globe Awards|2002]] the film, ''[[Ali (film)|Ali]]'', also received a Golden Globe Award nomination for 'Best Original Score'.<ref name="GG59">{{cite web | url = http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/year/2001 | title = The 59th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2002) | publisher = Hollywood Foreign Press Association | accessdate = 25 September 2012 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110509124302/http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/year/2001 | archive-date = 9 May 2011}}</ref>

===Secret Masters===
In 2001 Pieter Bourke established a [[Dub music|dub reggae]] duo, Secret Masters, in collaboration with club DJ, Brian Westbrook (a.k.a. Donnie Dub). Back in 1993 Bourke had met Westbrook, who provided [[cello]] on [[Eden (Australian band)|Eden's]] ''[[Healingbow]]''.<ref name="AMGHealingbow"/> In 2004 Secret Masters' debut album, ''The Lost Dub Tapes'', was released on their self-funded label, Master Tunes.<ref name="Deep">{{cite web | url = http://www.abc.net.au/rn/legacy/programs/deepend/stories/2004/1209644.htm | title = Secret Masters | last = Smith | first = Amanda | publisher = [[Radio National]]. [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC) | work = The Deep End | date = 22 September 2004 | accessdate = 25 September 2012 }}</ref> For the 2009 follow up album, ''Words, Power, Sound'', Westbrook travelled to Jamaica to record with local vocalists. The album includes two tracks featuring British reggae singer and DJ [[Tippa Irie]].

==Discography==
===Albums===
* 1991 - ''[[Gateway to the Mysteries]]'' - CD - Eden (Shock/Third Mind Records)
* 1994 - ''Hollow Earth'' - CD - Soma (Extreme)
* 1995 - ''Dear Valued Customer'' - CD - Snog (Polygram/Machinery)
* 1996 - ''The Inner Cinema'' - CD - Soma (Extreme)
* 1998 - ''[[Duality (Lisa Gerrard & Pieter Bourke album)|Duality]]'' - CD - with [[Lisa Gerrard]] ([[4AD Records]])
* 1999 - ''[[The Insider (film)|The Insider]]'' - soundtrack CD - with Lisa Gerrard ([[Sony Music]])
* 2002 - ''Ali'' - soundtrack CD - with Lisa Gerrard ([[Universal Music Group]])
* 2004 - ''The Lost Dub Tapes'' - CD - Secret Masters (Master Tunes)
* 2009 - ''Words, Power, Sound'' - 2CD - Secret Masters (Master Tunes)

===EPS===
* 1989 - ''[[The Light Between Worlds]]'' - EP - [[Eden (Australian band)|Eden]] (Nightshift)
* 1993 - ''[[Healingbow]]'' - EP - Eden ([[Projekt]])
* 1993 - ''Soma'' - EP - Soma (Extreme)
* 1997 - ''Stygian Vistas'' - EP - Soma (Extreme)
* 1998 - ''The Human Game'' - EP - with Lisa Gerrard (4AD Records)
* 2000 - ''My Ancient Vihmaana'' - EP - Soma (Karmic Hit)

==Awards and nominations==
===ARIA Music Awards===
The [[ARIA Music Awards]] is an annual awards ceremony held by the [[Australian Recording Industry Association]]. They commenced in 1987.
{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| [[ARIA Music Awards of 1998|1998]]
| ''Duality'' (with Lisa Gerrard)
| [[ARIA Award for Best World Music Album|Best World Music Album]]
| {{nom}}
| <ref name="World">ARIA Award previous winners. {{cite web|url=https://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/award/best-world-music-album?view=list#|title=ARIA Awards – Winners by Award – Best World Music Album |publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)|access-date=12 November 2018}}</ref>
|-
{{end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.myspace.com/pieterbourke/}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20021013052444/http://www.pieterbourke.com/biography/bios.php?bio_id=1 Pieter Bourke.com official biography] as cached on 13 October 2002 at [[Archive.org]]
* {{IMDb name|0100020}}


{{Eden (Australian band)}}
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20020406200027/www.pieterbourke.com/misc/fs.htm Pieter Bourke.com - official website as cached in 2002] at [[Archive.org]] ([[JavaScript]] browser required)

* [http://www.pieterbourke.com/ Pieter Bourke.com] - official website (under reconstruction since 2005<!--AS PER http://web.archive.org/web/*/pieterbourke.com--> [[as of 2007]])
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Bourke, Pieter}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bourke, Pieter}}
[[Category:Australian musicians]]
[[Category:Australian drummers]]
[[Category:Male drummers]]
[[Category:Australian male composers]]
[[Category:Australian composers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

[[Category:Australian audio engineers]]
{{australia-bio-stub}}
[[Category:4AD artists]]

[[it:Pieter Bourke]]
[[ru:Бурк, Питер]]

Latest revision as of 09:33, 7 June 2024

Pieter Bourke
Birth namePieter Bourke
BornMelbourne, Victoria, Australia
GenresNeoclassical dark wave, ambient, world, soundtrack, dub, electro-industrial
Occupation(s)Musician, composer, producer, audio engineer
Instrument(s)Keyboards, synthesizers, samplers, drums and percussion
Years active1987–present
Labels4AD, Third Mind, Extreme, Elysium, Shock, Sony, Nightshift, Karmic Hit, Projekt, Master Tunes
Websitewww.pieterbourke.com

Pieter Bourke is an Australian musician, composer, producer and audio engineer. From 1995 he has recorded several projects with Dead Can Dance founder Lisa Gerrard, and was a touring member of Dead Can Dance's 1996 Spiritchaser Tour. On 14 April 1998 Bourke and Gerrard issued a world music album, Duality. From 1993 he also collaborated with industrial musician, David Thrussell (alias Black Lung), first as part of the latter's band Snog, then together as the ambient duo, Soma. In 2001, he formed a dub reggae outfit, Secret Masters, with Brian Westbrook (a.k.a. Donnie Dub). Bourke and Gerrard have received two shared Golden Globe nominations for 'Best Original Score', in 2000 for The Insider (1999), and in 2002 for Ali (2001).

Career

[edit]

Early years and Eden

[edit]
Main article: Eden (Australian band)

Pieter Bourke grew up in Melbourne, Australia. At the age of 12 years he learned to play an electronic drum and was largely self-taught as a percussionist and keyboardist.[1] From 1987 to 1988 he completed a course in Graphic Design at Chisholm Institute of Technology. In 1987 Bourke formed the Melbourne-based electronic pop rock band Eden, providing keyboards, rhythm programming and percussion. Fellow founders were Sean Bowley (ex-All Things Unseen) on vocals and guitar, and Ross Healy on bass guitar. Eden's first gig was at the Baden Powell Hotel, Prahran, they soon performed at other pubs in Melbourne's alternative music scene.[2] In 1989 they issued their debut five-track extended play, The Light Between Worlds, on the Scottish label Nightshift Records. The lead track, "Shallow Mists", was co-written by Bourke with Bowley and Healy.[3] They released a single, "Searching for Angels Hands", which broadened their audience by a performance on national pop music TV series, Countdown Revolution. The single was also co-written by Bourke, Bowley and Healy.[4]

In 1990 Eden released a full-length studio album, Gateway to the Mysteries, on the English label Third Mind Records and in Australia on Elysium Records via Shock Records.[5][6] Its sixth track, "Spectral Pleasures", was co-written by Bourke and Bowley,[7] and was dedicated to the memory of Valerie Mary Bourke.[5] Bourke's last recorded output with Eden was a six-track EP, Healingbow, released in 1993 on Projekt Records. The lead track was co-written by Bourke and Bowley.[8] Allmusic's Ned Raggett found "Bourke's percussive work isn't as unique as that of his obvious inspirations in Dead Can Dance, but it's still very fine stuff, suiting and setting the songs' feelings and pace very well".[9] Bourke is credited with hammer dulcimer, keyboards, percussion and programming while additional drums and remix work was provided by guest musician, David Thrussell (see Black Lung).[10] From early 1993 Bowley suffered from glandular fever and late that year Bourke left the group.[2]

Collaborations with David Thrussell

[edit]
Main article: Snog (band)

In 1993 Pieter Bourke began a collaborative partnership with Thrussell. They shared an interest in European electronic music and the emerging audio sampling technology. Bourke joined Thrussell's techno-industrial band Snog, playing keyboards live and writing new material with Thrussell. Snog had formed in 1989 by Thrussell with fellow art school mates, Tim McGrath and Julia Bourke. Snog's first single with Pieter Bourke aboard, "Born to Be Mild", is credited to Julia Mary Bourke, Thrussell and McGrath.[11] It was followed by their Christmas single, "Hey Christian God", which was co-written by Pieter Bourke and Thrussell.[12] In 1994 a full-length album, Dear Valued Customer, was released and was supported by live performances across Australia. Bourke co-wrote three tracks for the 1996 Snog album, Buy Me...I’ll Change Your Life, including the singles "The Future" and "Hooray".[13][14] His last contribution to Snog was "The Grey Menace", which was co-written with Thrusell,[15] and appeared on the 1999 release Third Mall from the Sun.

Parallel to Snog, also in 1993, Bourke and Thrussell created an ambient duo, Soma. A self-titled seven-track CD was recorded and released in 1993. It was expanded with the addition of six songs and released as Hollow Earth on 15 December 1994.[16] Allmusic's Theo Kavadias described the release, "Bourke's organic influence wrapped around Thrussell's electro sensibilities created exotic constructions that skirted the borders of ambience, techno and soundtrack with a vocabulary both stylish and deep".[16]

In 1996 Soma released The Inner Cinema, which "sees the collaboration between Thrussell and Bourke evolve and deepen from the tone set by their debut" according to Kavadias.[17] Stygian Vistas, an eight-track EP was released on 1 July 1997, it contains a remixes of tracks from the first two albums plus three new songs.[18] Bourke and Thrussell took a hiatus from Soma to work on other projects, they re-emerged in 2000 with a four-track CD EP, My Ancient Vihmaana.

Collaborations with Lisa Gerrard

[edit]

In 1995 Pieter Bourke began working with Lisa Gerrard, co-founder of the world music group, Dead Can Dance. Bourke provided bass guitar, darabeka, drums, hand clapping, tabla and backing vocals on Gerrard’s first solo album, The Mirror Pool (August 1995).[19] He became a touring member of her band for concerts in Europe and North America. In late 1996 Bourke played keyboards and percussion for Dead Can Dance on their Spiritchaser Tour, to promote the band's album of the same name (June 1996).[1] His favourite instruments, at the time, were the Near Eastern tar and Egyptian darabukka.[1]

In 1997 Gerrard invited Bourke to perform on her second solo album, Duality.[20] As well as playing percussion and keyboards, Bourke was asked to engineer and co-produce the recordings. As work progressed, Bourke’s role expanded from session musician and recording assistant to full partner.[20] The album was co-credited to Gerrard and Bourke and released on 14 April 1998 on the 4AD Records label.[20] All the tracks were co-written by Bourke and Gerrard, except "Tempest" which is co-credited to Bourke, Gerrard and Iranian musician, Madjid Khaladj.[20] Raggett observed that "Bourke's own contributions ... mesh excellently with her instrumental work and, since no specific credit appears instrument for instrument, everything works as a true partnership".[20] According to Michael Lund of Last Sigh Magazine, "Gerrard has commented that the recording process of Duality was one of rare synchronicity, and that her and Bourke experienced moments of spiritual elevation while creating the music".[21] "The Human Game" was released as a single from the album, accompanied by a music video. The album also contains "Sacrifice" which is used in film and television shows.

In 1998 Bourke and Gerrard were asked by Italian director Ivana Massetti to contribute music to Nadro, a French documentary on West African visual artist, poet and author, Frederic Bruly Bouabre. Two tracks from the score were included on "The Human Game" CD single: "Awakening" and "Jungabya". In 1999 Bourke and Gerrard composed the soundtrack for the film, The Insider by American director, Michael Mann. Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine stated their score was "eerie and haunting, somewhere between ambient and new age, but always evocative and cinematic. This may be a strange choice for a seemingly dry journalism tale, but it works terrifically and gives a good sense of how unusual and unpredictable The Insider is".[22] In January 2000 the film received three Golden Globe Award nominations, including 'Best Original Score' for Bourke and Gerrard.[23] In 2001 Bourke and Gerrard scored Mann’s next film, a bio-pic about World Boxing Champion, Muhammad Ali. In January 2002 the film, Ali, also received a Golden Globe Award nomination for 'Best Original Score'.[24]

Secret Masters

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In 2001 Pieter Bourke established a dub reggae duo, Secret Masters, in collaboration with club DJ, Brian Westbrook (a.k.a. Donnie Dub). Back in 1993 Bourke had met Westbrook, who provided cello on Eden's Healingbow.[10] In 2004 Secret Masters' debut album, The Lost Dub Tapes, was released on their self-funded label, Master Tunes.[25] For the 2009 follow up album, Words, Power, Sound, Westbrook travelled to Jamaica to record with local vocalists. The album includes two tracks featuring British reggae singer and DJ Tippa Irie.

Discography

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Albums

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  • 1991 - Gateway to the Mysteries - CD - Eden (Shock/Third Mind Records)
  • 1994 - Hollow Earth - CD - Soma (Extreme)
  • 1995 - Dear Valued Customer - CD - Snog (Polygram/Machinery)
  • 1996 - The Inner Cinema - CD - Soma (Extreme)
  • 1998 - Duality - CD - with Lisa Gerrard (4AD Records)
  • 1999 - The Insider - soundtrack CD - with Lisa Gerrard (Sony Music)
  • 2002 - Ali - soundtrack CD - with Lisa Gerrard (Universal Music Group)
  • 2004 - The Lost Dub Tapes - CD - Secret Masters (Master Tunes)
  • 2009 - Words, Power, Sound - 2CD - Secret Masters (Master Tunes)

EPS

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  • 1989 - The Light Between Worlds - EP - Eden (Nightshift)
  • 1993 - Healingbow - EP - Eden (Projekt)
  • 1993 - Soma - EP - Soma (Extreme)
  • 1997 - Stygian Vistas - EP - Soma (Extreme)
  • 1998 - The Human Game - EP - with Lisa Gerrard (4AD Records)
  • 2000 - My Ancient Vihmaana - EP - Soma (Karmic Hit)

Awards and nominations

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ARIA Music Awards

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The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony held by the Australian Recording Industry Association. They commenced in 1987.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
1998 Duality (with Lisa Gerrard) Best World Music Album Nominated [26]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "A Few Words About Pieter Bourke". Spiritchaser Tour Program. Dead Can Dance. 1996. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  2. ^ a b Bowley, Sean (16 January 2007). "About Me, All Things Unseen & Eden". Sean Bowley Official Website. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  3. ^ "'Shallow Mists' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  4. ^ "'Searching for Angels Hands' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  5. ^ a b Gateway to the Mysteries (CD). Eden. Elysium Records, Shock Records. 1989. ELYCD1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ^ "Gateway to the Mysteries – Eden". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  7. ^ "'Spectral Pleasures' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  8. ^ "'Healingbow' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  9. ^ Raggett, Ned. "Healingbow – Eden". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  10. ^ a b "Healingbow – Eden : Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  11. ^ "ASCAP – ACE Title Search". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Retrieved 24 September 2012. Note: User to click on 'Title' tab and enter song title e.g. Born to be Mild.
  12. ^ "'Hey Christian God' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  13. ^ "'The Future' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  14. ^ "'Hooray' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  15. ^ "'The Grey Menace' at APRA search engine". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  16. ^ a b Kavadias, Theo. "Hollow Earth – Soma : Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  17. ^ Kavadias, Theo. "The Inner Cinema – Soma : Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  18. ^ Raggett, Ned. "Stygian Vistas – Soma : Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  19. ^ "The Mirror Pool – Lisa Gerrard : Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  20. ^ a b c d e Raggett, Ned. "Duality – Lisa Gerrard". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  21. ^ Lund, Michael C (17 May 1998). "Lisa Gerrard & Pieter Bourke – Duality". Last Sigh Magazine. K. A. Alexander. ISSN 1529-5826. Archived from the original on 3 June 2009. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  22. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "The Insider – Lisa Gerrard". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  23. ^ "The 57th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2000)". Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Archived from the original on 29 December 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  24. ^ "The 59th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2002)". Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Archived from the original on 9 May 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  25. ^ Smith, Amanda (22 September 2004). "Secret Masters". The Deep End. Radio National. Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Retrieved 25 September 2012.
  26. ^ ARIA Award previous winners. "ARIA Awards – Winners by Award – Best World Music Album". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 12 November 2018.
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