Chet Faker: Biography, Music, Name Change and 2026 Tour

Few musical journeys involve renouncing a stage name, only to revive it years later for a world tour. Chet Faker, the alias of Australian musician Nicholas James Murphy, has done exactly that — and his story is as much about identity as it is about sound.

Real Name: Nicholas James Murphy ·
Born: 23 June 1988 ·
Genres: Electronic, R&B, trip hop ·
Spotify Monthly Listeners: 2.7 million ·
Debut Album: Built on Glass (2014) ·
Debut EP: Thinking in Textures (2012)

Six key facts about Chet Faker’s career, one pattern: the alias has been a vehicle for artistic exploration, not a fixed brand.

An overview of Chet Faker’s core details reveals the scope of his career as both an alias-driven artist and a solo performer under his real name.

Why did Chet Faker change his name?

Why did Nicholas Murphy choose the alias Chet Faker?

Murphy adopted the stage name in 2011 as a homage to jazz trumpeter Chet Baker, but with a twist. The surname “Faker” was intentional — it signaled that he wasn’t trying to replicate Chet Baker’s style, but rather creating his own interpretation (WLOY university radio profile). The name stuck, and he released his debut EP Thinking in Textures in 2012 under that moniker.

When did Chet Faker stop using the name?

In September 2016, Murphy announced he would stop using the Chet Faker alias and release music under his birth name, Nick Murphy (Music Feeds). He told NME that the name felt like a costume he no longer needed (NME). Rolling Stone Australia later described the move as an artistic reset that tested whether audience obsession was tied to the brand (Rolling Stone Australia).

The implication: Murphy’s relationship with the Chet Faker name reflects a broader tension between artistic freedom and commercial identity, one that many musicians navigate but few reverse as publicly as he has.

What ever happened to Chet Faker?

Is Chet Faker still active?

Yes — but under a different name. After retiring the alias in 2016, Murphy continued as Nick Murphy, releasing the album Hotel Surrender in 2021. Interestingly, he returned to the Chet Faker moniker for that album’s release (The Sydney Morning Herald). The Sydney Morning Herald noted that the album marked his return to the name almost seven years after he sidelined it.

What is Nick Murphy doing now?

Murphy continues to perform and record. In 2025, he announced a 2026 tour under the Chet Faker name — the first live shows under the alias in years. According to Songkick, 16 concerts are scheduled across 11 countries, including a Chicago date at the Vic Theatre on 20 May 2026 (Newcity Music).

Chet Faker tour 2026

Newcity Music reported a 2026 Chicago date, while Songkick lists the full tour spanning North America, Europe, and Australia. The tour is a rare chance to see the alias that started it all — and the artist who has evolved far beyond it.

The pattern: Murphy treats the Chet Faker identity as a tool, not a permanent label, and each revival suggests a deliberate artistic choice rather than mere nostalgia.

Is Chet Faker sober?

Has Chet Faker spoken about sobriety?

There is no public confirmation from Chet Faker or reliable sources about his sobriety status. He has been open about mental health struggles in interviews — for example, speaking with GRAMMY.com about the psychological reasons behind his name change — but he has not specifically addressed sobriety.

What substances did Chet Faker struggle with?

No specific substances have been named by Murphy or in credible coverage. The question remains speculative without direct statements. The lack of reliable sources means this topic falls into the “unclear” category.

What this means: without direct statements from Murphy or verified reporting, assumptions about his sobriety or substance use remain unfounded.

What kind of music is Chet Faker?

What genre is Chet Faker?

Chet Faker’s music blends electronic, R&B, trip hop, and indie soul. His sound is often described as downtempo, with heavy use of sampling and soulful vocals. His debut album Built on Glass (2014) showcases these influences (Apple Music).

What are Chet Faker’s most famous songs?

• “No Diggity” (cover of Blackstreet) — went viral in 2011 and built early momentum (Showbams)
• “Gold” — lead single from Built on Glass
• “Talk Is Cheap”
• “1998”
• “Drop the Game” (with Flume) — 2013 collaboration

Chet Faker No Diggity

The 2011 cover of “No Diggity” was Murphy’s breakout moment. Apple Music’s album page notes that he had already built buzz through that cover and the 2013 Flume collaboration before Built on Glass (Apple Music).

The pattern: Murphy’s early career shows how a single cover and collaboration can launch an artist, but his later shift to original material under his own name reveals a deliberate move toward artistic maturity.

Why is he called Chet Faker?

What is the origin of the name Chet Faker?

The name is a direct homage to jazz trumpeter Chet Baker. Murphy chose “Faker” to imply that he is not trying to replicate Chet Baker’s style but rather creating his own interpretation. It reflects his approach to music as a “faker” or improviser — someone who learns by doing rather than by copying (WLOY university radio).

Is Chet Faker a reference to Chet Baker?

Yes, though the relationship is playful rather than reverent. Murphy has said he wanted a name that acknowledged influence without being trapped by it. The alias allowed him to experiment freely before he felt ready to release music under his own name.

The implication: the name Chet Faker embodies Murphy’s philosophical stance on creativity — that influence should be acknowledged but not limiting, and that identity in music is negotiable.

Timeline: Chet Faker’s Career Milestones

• 2011 — Nicholas Murphy adopts stage name Chet Faker (Songkick)
• 2012 — Releases debut EP Thinking in Textures
• 2014 — Debut album Built on Glass released; single “Gold” becomes hit (Apple Music)
• 2014 — Cover of “No Diggity” goes viral (Showbams)
• 2016 — Collaborates with Flume on “Drop the Game”
• 2016 — Announces retirement of Chet Faker alias, continues as Nick Murphy (Music Feeds)
• 2021 — Releases album Hotel Surrender under Nick Murphy / Chet Faker (The Sydney Morning Herald)
• 2025–2026 — Announces Chet Faker tour for 2026, first shows under alias in years (Newcity Music)

The pattern: each milestone in Murphy’s timeline shows a deliberate oscillation between using the alias for visibility and shedding it for authenticity, a cycle that defines his career.

What We Know and What Remains Unclear

Confirmed Facts

• Real name: Nicholas James Murphy (Apple Music)
• Birth date: 23 June 1988
• Genre: electronic, R&B, trip hop
• Alias retired in 2016, revived in 2021 and for 2026 tour (Music Feeds)

What’s Unclear

• Current sobriety status — no public confirmation
• Exact reasons for name change (personal vs. artistic)
• Details of his marriage (wife’s identity not public)

“The name felt like a costume I didn’t need anymore.”

— Nick Murphy, speaking to triple j in 2018 (via NME)

“Looking forward to playing as Chet Faker again.”

— Chet Faker, social media post announcing 2026 tour (Songkick)

For fans who have followed Murphy since the “No Diggity” days, the return to Chet Faker for the 2026 tour is a chance to see both sides of the artist in one lifetime — the alias that started it all and the man behind it. The implication for Australian music lovers: the artist who once walked away from his biggest identity is now embracing it, on his own terms.

Frequently asked questions

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