Chet Faker
An Australian musician who fused intimate soul vocals with electronic beats, creating a sound that defined a global moment in indie music.
Born 1988 (age 38)·Australian electronic musician·Birthday: June 23·Millennials
Biography
Nicholas Murphy, operating under the alias Chet Faker, emerged from Melbourne's vibrant music scene with a sound that felt both vintage and utterly contemporary. The name, a nod to jazz trumpeter Chet Baker, signaled his blend of smoky, soulful vocals over minimalist electronic production. His 2012 EP 'Thinking in Textures' became an unexpected sensation, its lead track 'No Diggity' a rework that showcased his unique alchemy. The sudden attention led to a major label deal and a whirlwind of international touring, but Murphy eventually stepped back from the Chet Faker persona to release music under his own name, seeking artistic authenticity over commercial momentum. His work, characterized by its textured layers and emotional resonance, helped pave the way for a wave of bedroom producers aiming for both headphone intimacy and dancefloor appeal.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Chet was born in 1988, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Chet Was Born
The biggest hits of 1988
#1 Movie
Rain Man
Best Picture
Rain Man
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Chet's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1988Born
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1993Started school
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2001Became a teenager
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Could drive
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2006Could vote
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Turned 21
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2018Turned 30
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 38 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Australian Independent Record Awards' Breakthrough Artist of the Year in 2012 for his debut EP 'Thinking in Textures'.
- His cover of 'No Diggity' became a viral hit, amassing hundreds of millions of streams and introducing his sound to a global audience.
- His debut album 'Built on Glass' debuted at number one on the Australian ARIA Charts in 2014.
- Won the ARIA Award for Best Independent Release in 2012 for his single 'Work'.
Did You Know?
He chose the stage name Chet Faker partly because he initially wanted to release music without the pressure of performing live.
He built his early home studio piece by piece, learning production techniques through online tutorials.
He temporarily retired the Chet Faker name in 2016 to release music under his birth name, Nick Murphy, before reviving it years later.
His song 'Talk Is Cheap' was featured in a pivotal scene of the HBO series 'Girls'.
“I'm not trying to make music for the sake of being different. I'm just trying to make music that I like.”
