Chet Faker
Chet Faker
Nicholas James Murphy, better known by his stage name Chet Faker, is an Australian electronica musician. In 2012 he issued an extended play, Thinking in Textures and signed to Downtown Records in the United States. In October 2012 he won Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Thinking in Textures won Best Independent Single/EP at the Australian Independent Records Awards...
NationalityAustralian
ProfessionDJ
Date of Birth23 June 1988
CityMelbourne, Australia
CountryAustralia
Music to me is about being honest, and it's what I've always pictured music as. I don't see the point of expressing yourself if you are going to be cryptic about it.
Ultimately, I love making music more than anything. And I want to do that for ever. I don't want be on the top. I just want to keep doing what I'm doing.
I think the most-played record in our house was the 'Big Chill' Soundtrack - so Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, the Temptations, Otis Redding. I think that's where I got my love for a good hook, a good soul hook - really smooth and warm and from the heart.
I studied audio engineering at university. The background I am from, music was never seen as a viable career; it was always a hobby.
That's what helps me keep playing: the idea of giving something to others. Because personally, I've had my fill.
My biggest enemy for the longest time was my head. When I first became successful, it made me anxious because I was overthinking everything, and you hear so many 'fail' stories.
Most of my inspiration comes from mistakes, so every time I make a massive mistake, that usually affects me so much that I have to process that via song.
I think a lot of artists get confused when people like their music; they think that means people know and like them. I'm sure there's an element of truth to that, but to me, the music I make is what I'm most proud of. I prefer to focus on that and for people to focus on the music, too.
I don't start my show at 200%. I like to go in slow, warm up the crowd, and bring them along with me. To hear everyone singing along is so great.
I remember a concert for a visiting girls school, and that was the first time I ever sang - it was always about girls - that was the main thing. But somewhere along the line, it became a cathartic thing.
When I was 21 or 22, I realized I was never going to be something else - I had to be a musician. I can't commit to anything unless I love it.
I'm a humanist at heart: at the end of the day, we are all human beings.
I have an addictive personality. I was addicted to computer games... and then all that obsessive nature just piled into music.
Hype is a good thing, but it can also be a bad thing if you aren't prepared to back it up.