Electronica artist Chet Faker has signed a record deal in the United States with the legendary Downtown Records, home to Santigold, Spank Rock and Gnarls Barkley, in a huge coup for the Melbourne-based artist.
Downtown Records plan on releasing his debut EP Thinking In Textures stateside in a few weeks on 22nd May, with a vinyl release to follow on 19th June.
Things you should know if you’re just tuning in. Chet Faker is Nicholas James Murphy, a 23 year old Melburnian who owns a vintage Wurlitzer and Rhodes Keyboard and doesn’t mind showing them off.
He has been making music for close to a year under the pseudonym that references the legendary Chet Baker, paying homage both in his sexier-than-Ryan-Gosling vocal style and the imperfections left in his recordings.
He came to everyone’s attention when his cover of Blackstreet’s classic ‘No Diggity’ hit #1 on Hype Machine, the worldwide indie music aggregator, and the video has now had almost 200,000 views on YouTube.
But far from rushing into the limelight, Chet built on the popularity of ‘No Diggity’ through a series of tracks released online, creating an insatiable hunger from fans for more from this part jazz, part soul and part electronic artist.
In March he played stand-out performances at SXSW, including a performance at theFilter Magazine Party and was touted as a ‘must see’ act by The Austin Chronicle.
On 23 March 2012 his debut EP Thinking In Textures was released on Opulent / Remote Control in Australia and Chess Club Records in the UK to widespread acclaim.
Chet went on to sell out his Thinking in Textures launch tour last month with shows in Sydney, Brisbane and a remarkable three Melbourne launches.
New single ‘I’m Into You’ has now also been picked up by BBC Radio 1’s Zane Lowe (UK), who has been playing the track on his Next Hype segment.
The track peaked at #1 on Hype Machine, the worldwide indie music aggregator, has had almost 100,000 listens on Soundcloud and and charted at #2 on We are Hunted.
Fans will next get to see Chet live at VIVID Live in Sydney, where he is supporting The Temper Trap for two huge shows at the Sydney Opera House.
He’s also been booked to perform at Splendour In The Grass in Byron Bay later this year.
