There's something about Chet Faker - perhaps it was that return to Nick Murphy - that's always seemed a little bit too cool for school. God, Australia and our tall poppy thing, huh.
As soon you see him live, the sunglasses and hipster beard and ambient intro tracks wash away and you’re just left with this incredible appreciation – not just for Murphy as an artist, but as a generous, personable performer. As he said himself at the intro, he doesn’t want to talk to the audience too much, he has a lot of songs to get through. Boy, does he have a stunning back catalogue.
He’s certainly carved a unique niche in the electronic and neo-soul music scenes – he probably epitomises the best of ‘white soul’, whatever that really means. For the fans who attended his show at the Royal Botanic Gardens, he most epitomised the wonderful experience Live at the Gardens offers and how lucky Melbourne is to have the Always Live program offering such phenomenal talent each year.
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His debut album, Built on Glass, released in 2014, is a masterclass in blending electronic production with soulful vocals, creating a sound that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. Known for his raw, emotive voice layered over intricate beats, Chet Faker’s live performances bring a new dimension to his studio recordings, showcasing his technical mastery and ability to engage audiences.
Case in point: reimagining 1998 as a piano ballad – the poignant lyricism and evocative harmonic progressions reflecting his finest work under his own name. A highly skilled pianist, Murphy places significant emphasis on the piano’s upper register. By utilising the higher octaves, he crafts delicate melodies that resonate with emotional intensity, often accentuating the piece’s most vulnerable-cum-powerful moments – their brighter timbre offering a stark contrast to the fuller midrange chords. This contrast draws attention to specific melodic lines, lending a haunting quality to the piece.
Built on Glass – this performance was a celebration of his debut a decade on – is timeless for its seamless fusion of analogue instrumentation and digital soundscapes. Tracks like Talk Is Cheap highlight Murphy’s talent for merging warm, jazzy saxophone lines with crisp, programmed beats. The album also explores themes of love, vulnerability, and self-discovery, delivered through introspective lyrics that resonate with listeners. This duality—emotional depth paired with sonic sophistication—is a hallmark of his style.
In a live setting, Murphy translates these elements into an immersive experience. His performances often feature reimagined arrangements and honestly, when is adding a string quartet to the mix ever a bad decision live? His performance blew us away to the point where we’ve even reneged to mention Phoebe Go’s beautiful voice or Mildlife’s cracking new track; Automatic. Absolute banger, check it out.
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