As Chet Faker hammers away at a synthesizer triggering lush electronic loops that intertwine with soulful vocals, the line between human and technology blurs. Just as comfortable with his singing voice as he is navigating the knobs and sliders of an electronic drum module, the Melbourne product successfully blends everything we love about the raw human elements of soul and R&B music with the limitless possibilities of contemporary electronic tools. He’s a musical bionic man of sorts.
After his cover of Blackstreet’s 1996 hit “No Diggity” became a bit of an internet sensation in 2011, topping the charts of Hype Machine (as well as being featured in a Beck's Super Bowl commercial in 2013), Chet Faker has proven himself as a worthy songwriter in his own right. His 2012 EP, Thinking In Textures, and a recently released debut album, Built On Glass, showcase Faker’s introspective lyrics that wrap relatable issues like loneliness and relationship struggles around an impressively self-aware, clever perspective.
Although his recorded material often takes on a somewhat somber tone, he’s known for performing live sets that take advantage of his background as a DJ to kick up the tempo a bit and get the dance floor moving. Watch his recent Boiler Room set below and check it out for yourself at the Doug Fir Lounge on Thursday, May 22.
Chet Faker will also be performing at this year's Sasquatch! Music Festival on Saturday, May 24 from 8:30-9:30pm on the El Chupacabra stage at the Gorge Amphitheatre.
