Quotes from Chet Faker

I remember a concert for a visiting girls school, and that was the first time I ever sang - it was always about girls - that was the main thing. But somewhere along the line, it became a cathartic thing.

Chet Faker's a reference to the late Chet Baker. I'm a big fan of his vocal style; it's quite fragile and soft, and that was a style I wanted to take on.

I love performing. The more I do it, the more I grow into it.

I have had a pretty hardcore crash course on living out of a suitcase. Some people take consistency in their lives for granted. When you have little to none, you discover it's kind of a nice thing.

I don't start my show at 200%. I like to go in slow, warm up the crowd, and bring them along with me. To hear everyone singing along is so great.

I think the most-played record in our house was the 'Big Chill' Soundtrack - so Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, the Temptations, Otis Redding. I think that's where I got my love for a good hook, a good soul hook - really smooth and warm and from the heart.

All my ego wants is to be sitting by a lake in Italy. It doesn't want to be backstage, warming up.

I would consider my diary serves the same purpose as going for a walk or a run. They are all physical ways of clearing a mental landscape.

I think a lot of artists get confused when people like their music; they think that means people know and like them. I'm sure there's an element of truth to that, but to me, the music I make is what I'm most proud of. I prefer to focus on that and for people to focus on the music, too.

I like a lot of independent brands - Melbourne's Kloke, Handsom and Neuw Denim, and Bassike in Sydney. It's easier to be proud of what you're wearing if you've met the people behind the brand and there's more of a personal story.

On my Instagram, lots of people tag me in photos of just dudes with beards, and they're like, 'Oh my God, I met Chet Faker' and I'm like, 'That doesn't even look like me.'

Hype is a good thing, but it can also be a bad thing if you aren't prepared to back it up.

Music to me is about being honest, and it's what I've always pictured music as. I don't see the point of expressing yourself if you are going to be cryptic about it.

My biggest enemy for the longest time was my head. When I first became successful, it made me anxious because I was overthinking everything, and you hear so many 'fail' stories.

I just love a slow groove. I feel so comfortable in it. But I listen to a lot of fast music, a lot of techno and house.

That's what helps me keep playing: the idea of giving something to others. Because personally, I've had my fill.

My high school career counsellor said I shouldn't pursue music as a career.

You can't rush an art form.

What I like about Americans is if it's good music, that's the only thing that matters.

The day you stop clapping at a gig is the day your soul dies.

Sleep is getting to be like gold.

Our generation's grown up with the Internet, so it's an extension of our social lives; it's an extension of us. It makes perfect sense for me to use that medium.

I always try to work hard and get things done as soon as possible, but never at the loss of quality of the product.

Learning to appreciate those things that aren't related to success has proved the biggest lesson.