Australian country star Rachael Fahim talks about rebuilding her debut album’s biggest moments and capturing performances that feel closer to the way she shares them live. With ‘Who You Are’ already earning chart-topping success, Fahim reflects on six No. 1 singles, the instincts that have guided her since childhood, and taking her country-pop ambitions to the global stage.

Stream: ‘Who You Are’ – Rachael Fahim

Rachael Fahim is giving her biggest songs a more intimate second life through a series of stripped-back recordings.

Acoustic Collection revisits songs from her debut album, Who You Are, released earlier this year. Acoustic versions of “Who You Are” and “Good Luck” kick off a series of releases rolling out throughout the year.

“I wanted to record each vocal for each song in as few takes as possible so I could keep my performance feeling real, raw and human,” Fahim says. “Rather than chasing 100% perfection in each take, I thought it would be special if the emotion of the moment was captured and to feel as close as possible to how I’d sing them live.”

Who You Are - Rachael Fahim — Who You Are – Rachael Fahim

Returning to these songs in acoustic form gave her a chance to rediscover them. Fahim has built her songwriting around a balance of wit and vulnerability. From the playful confidence of “Good Luck” and “You Suck” to the introspection of “Waste of Makeup,” Who You Are moves seamlessly between lighthearted moments and genuine emotion.

“I’ve been performing these songs at almost every show over the last 12 months, so I think my connection to them, and the stories I attach to them, have naturally evolved,” she says. “I almost see these acoustic versions as different songs now.”

The sessions came together with friend and collaborator Ben Swissa, alongside producers Adrian Breakspear and Ingrid Oram. Each song was carefully reworked to find the right balance between familiarity and something new.

“We tackled one song at a time and stripped each one down to its foundation to rebuild from the ground up,” Fahim says.

Swissa played every instrument heard across the recordings, creating what Fahim describes as a “one-man band situation.” The atmosphere in the studio became an important part of the recordings.

“It was just a bunch of friends in the studio for just over a week across multiple sessions, which was the best vibe,” she says. “I feel so lucky that we all shared the same vision with how these songs should sound. The collaborative approach helped to bring these songs to life in a whole new way while keeping the heart of the original versions intact.”

Since releasing Who You Are, Fahim has seen those songs connect with audiences across Australia. The album debuted at No. 1 on both the ARIA Albums Chart and ARIA Country Chart, while tracks including “Deep End,” “Never Coming Back,” “Good Luck,” “Who You Are” and “Too Damn Hot” have become staples of Australian country radio.

With six No. 1 country radio singles, an APRA Award for Most Performed Country Work for “Who You Are” and more than 1,000 live performances to her name, Fahim has established herself as one of Australia’s rising country artists, sharing stages with Jordan Davis, Pete Murray and Missy Higgins – experiences that reinforced the importance of authenticity on stage.

“One of the biggest things I learned is that it’s really important to create a genuine connection with the crowd,” she says. “Authenticity goes a long way, and audiences can tell when you’re being yourself and sharing something real with them.”

Long before the success of her debut album, music was already a big part of Fahim’s life.

Raised in Sydney by parents who instilled a strong work ethic, Fahim found her musical calling at six years old after hearing Kasey Chambers’ Barricades & Brickwalls. A memorable performance of the Australian national anthem at a school event soon convinced her family to enrol her in singing lessons, setting her on the path she’s followed ever since.

“While I absolutely love it and have a lot of fun doing it, I’ve never really seen it as a hobby. It’s always been what I wanted to do, so in many ways it feels like the only path I’ve ever known.”

Her early influences included John Denver, The Carpenters and ABBA, along with Kasey Chambers, whose gift for melody and storytelling left a lasting impression on Fahim and helped shape the artist she is today. (Think Kacey Musgraves’ storytelling with Sabrina Carpenter’s playful edge.)

With the first acoustic releases out, Fahim is already looking ahead to more music, more touring and international opportunities, including building on the momentum of her recent appearance at CMA Fest in Nashville.

The growing reach of her music has also brought a sense of responsibility. Hearing that her journey might inspire young girls to chase their own goals is something Fahim describes as incredibly meaningful.

“It’s honestly really humbling,” she says. “I didn’t ever set out with that intention, so hearing that is quite emotional in the best way.

“If my journey can encourage young girls to back themselves and go after what they love, then that means a lot to me. I think representation and seeing real, relatable stories is important and I’m just grateful if mine can play even a small part in that.”

That mix of gratitude and drive runs through Fahim’s story: She’s proud of how far she’s come, still hungry for what’s ahead, and determined to enjoy every milestone along the way. Atwood Magazine recently caught up with Fahim to talk No. 1s, the songs she always knew had something special, life onstage, and the bigger dreams she’s chasing next.

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:: stream/purchase Who You Are here ::

:: connect with Rachael Fahim here ::

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A CONVERSATION WITH RACHAEL FAHIM

Atwood Magazine: Congrats on “Too Damn Hot” going to #1! What was the first thing you did, and how do you usually celebrate a moment like that?

Rachael Fahim: Thank you so much! I remember being out when I got the news, so of course I called my family and my partner and told them straight away. I got home a few hours later, and my partner had made me a surprise #1 cake which was really sweet… We ate a piece each, popped a bottle of champagne and took a moment to take it all in. It’s so important to me to create moments like this when I achieve milestones, it was very special.

You’ve now had six #1 country radio singles. Does that ever stop feeling surreal?

Rachael Fahim: Not at all! Every time I’ve had a #1, it’s felt just as magical as the first. It’s never something I take for granted because it’s such a difficult achievement. Each time it happens, I’m incredibly grateful, and I still find myself saying how surreal it is to experience it again.

“Who You Are” debuted at #1 on both the ARIA Albums Chart and ARIA Country Chart. Did that achievement change the way you see yourself as an artist or did it mostly feel like validation for years of hard work?

Rachael Fahim: This achievement was a really nice nod to tell me I’m on the right track, I’ve seen so many of my favourite artists hit #1 on the ARIA charts so to see my name on the top of that list was a huge moment for me, and has really made me feel inspired to keep going.

Winning the APRA Award for Most Performed Country Work for “Who You Are” is huge recognition from the industry. What does an award like that mean to you personally?

Rachael Fahim: Honestly, I was speechless. This was the first award I’ve ever won that was based purely on numbers and how much the song was actually being played, which makes it incredibly special.

As songwriters, we spend so much time creating from the heart and hoping the music connects with people, so to receive recognition like this is really meaningful. It’s a reminder that the song found its audience and had a genuine impact. To be acknowledged by APRA and the industry in this way is something I’m incredibly grateful for, and it’s a moment I’ll never forget.

“Deep End” keeps climbing the charts, while “Never Coming Back” has found its way back onto radio, too. Why do you think these songs are connecting so strongly with listeners right now?

Rachael Fahim: I think these songs carry universal themes – who hasn’t gone through the heartbreak and emotional rollercoaster of a break-up, or the giddy feelings of falling in love?

Your debut album produced multiple radio hits including “Deep End,” “Never Coming Back,” “Dance Around It,” “Good Luck,” “Who You Are,” and “Too Damn Hot.” Looking back at the whole project now, was there a song you always believed would really resonate with audiences, even before releasing it?

Rachael Fahim: There were probably two songs that stood out to me from the beginning – “Who You Are” and “Deep End.”

With “Who You Are,” the song actually needed a re-write before it became what it is today, but even through that process, the chorus always felt really special to me. That never changed! It was the verses that we re-wrote. I always believed people would connect with the message in this song.

“Deep End” was another one. In the original demo, we actually included a section specifically for audiences to sing back during a live show, so even then we felt it had real sing-along potential! There was something about the energy of that song that felt made for a crowd, and it’s been really rewarding to see people embrace it the way they have.

With over 1,000 live performances under your belt already, how do you keep your shows feeling fresh and exciting night after night?

Rachael Fahim: Even if I’m playing the same songs, or the same set every night – the audience is what keeps it all fresh and exciting! Every crowd has its own personality.

You’ve supported artists like Jordan Davis, Pete Murray, and Missy Higgins. What’s something you’ve learned from watching artists at that level up close?

Rachael Fahim: One of the biggest things I learned is that it’s really important to create a genuine connection with the crowd. Authenticity goes a long way, and audiences can tell when you’re being yourself and sharing something real with them.

You played CMA Fest in Nashville this June. What most excites you when it comes to performing in the US and representing Australian country music on that stage?

Rachael Fahim: I feel so honoured to be part of CMA Fest this year. Honestly, it all feels pretty incredible! Performing at this festival is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, so getting the opportunity to be on one of the stages was really special.

What was the moment you knew you wanted to pursue music beyond just doing it for fun? What kind of music did you listen to growing up, and how did that shape the artist you’ve become?

Rachael Fahim: There was never really a single moment where I decided to pursue music – it’s just always been part of who I am. I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember, and while I absolutely love it and have a lot of fun doing it, I’ve never really seen it as a hobby. It’s always been what I wanted to do, so in many ways it feels like the only path I’ve ever known.

I grew up listening to a lot of John Denver, The Carpenters and ABBA, so it probably makes perfect sense that I’ve ended up making country-pop!

How does it make you feel knowing your story might be shaping how young girls see what’s possible for them?

Rachael Fahim: It’s honestly really humbling. I didn’t ever set out with that intention, so hearing that is quite emotional in the best way!
If my journey can encourage young girls to back themselves and go after what they love, then that means a lot to me. I think representation and seeing real, relatable stories is important and I’m just grateful if mine can play even a small part in that.

What’s next for you? What are you hoping the next chapter looks like, and what would you love to be able to say a year from now?

Rachael Fahim: What’s next for me is really about continuing to grow as an artist and getting my music out to as many people as possible, especially internationally. I’m excited to keep releasing new music, play more shows, and build on the momentum from everything so far. In the next chapter, I’d love to be touring more, connecting with new audiences, and really stepping into bigger stages and opportunities while staying true to who I am as a songwriter.

A year from now, I’d love to be able to say I’ve taken real steps forward – that more people have discovered the music, that I’ve been able to perform in new places, and that I’ve stayed grounded and consistent through it all. Just continuing to do what I love, but on a bigger scale!