We had a chance to talk to Nick Murphy recently about a variety of topics including the name of the new album, freeing himself from his previous moniker of Chet Faker, and his frequent amazing collaborations. Nick Murphy fka Chet Faker will be in Denver on June 21, 2019 at Ogden Theatre. Nick Murphy is heading out on tour in support of his forthcoming album Run Fast Sleep Naked out April 26 on Downtown / Future Classic / Opulent.
U5280: Let’s talk about Run Fast Sleep Naked, where did the name for that title come from?
Nick: I was 16 or 17 I was into writing poetry. That phrase was always meant to be the name of my first album. It was perfect to come back to it as it related to what is going on in my life.
U5280: Do you think this album frees you clear of your previous Chet Faker persona?
Nick: I don’t think, honestly when i made that decison I knew that I would be talking about it for a long time. The one thing that was really hard to explain in a simple fashion was that the name had become a heavy coat that i would have to take off, as soon as i finished thinking about it all this music came flooding out. I knew it was… i just had to do what was most important musically for what it seemed crazy for my career. I had to do it for myself because i didn’t denote myself to consider my music was the most important thing, I wasn’t just doing this for…success or anything like that. So i think that was kind of the idea, but i think there is still a bit of time of it will always be a part of what i make I will always love making music like that.
U5280: You spent four years traveling the world with a microphone in your suitcase for this album, where were some of those places?
Nick: Japan was a place, particular Koyasan which is a mountain valley, four hours out of Tokyo, that was a place i spent a few times just to get some quiet time. I really went to many places that drew me, like the southwest as well in the states, I found myself increasingly more and more drawn to the desert terrain. There’s something really clear about that kind of land. I also spent time in Morocco (where i shot the record cover) a self portrait, I went and stayed in the desert for three days and shot rolls and rolls of film it was like 110 degrees it was crazy.
I’m from West Texas and i can relate to the terrain out there.…
Ah hell yeah, I feel like a lot of Americans don’t realize how nice it is down there. I think it’s beautiful.
U5280: You have collaborated with the likes of Kaytranada, and Flume in the past, what goes into choosing who you collaborate with and is there somebody who you would love to work with in the future?
Nick: It’s usually just who I meet personally, people i came across in my life. I think with collabs they are something i have to have a personal connection with those people. Whether it be Harley (Flume) or Kay or Bonobo all these people I have met at festivals or shows and we just talk about music and stuff like that. I don’t really like working with strangers it has to be pretty personal, i like to get along with someone. Sometimes i get in a room and im like get me out of here, if im not feeling that connection.
I read you want to work with Nigel Goodrich (Radiohead)
Absolutely he’s on a list of potential people, my manager has been in touch with his manager. I would also like to go back and work with Rick Rubin.
Reader Questions:
U5280: Elise find that you’re really evocative, so would love to know if "Talk is Cheap" evokes a specific sense of place or experience for you?
Nick: Absolutely, it does, i don’t like telling everyone what the song means to me, the power of music is what it means to someone else…umm but that’s an old song for me it reminds me of my ex girlfriend at a time when we lived together, that song is about the beginning of our relationship it reminds of going through a hard time and trying to work on stuff you know. Definitely evocative.
U5280: Kyle wants to know: With all the multitude of instruments and variety of ways you make music, where do you usually begin your songwriting and the bones of your songs?
Nick: It’s not always the same but it does change a lot, I will say in general and this isn’t 100 percent of the time. Almost they start with live pianos and keys, chords and singing and writing, most of them have been written on my laptop, and usually recorded on a plane.
U5280: Finally what can your fans of Denver expect for your show on June 21?
Nick: Umm two days before my birthday, I’m trying to create a place of warmth, the show itself has been evolving with the album. A new layout and a lot of old stuff and new stuff. I feel really great about the shows coming up. I encourage people to bring flowers and set them on stage to create an amazing experience.