**Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker Misses Grammy Win While Sleeping**
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Australian musician Kevin Parker, the creative force behind Tame Impala, has revealed he was fast asleep when his band was announced as the winners of the Best Dance/Electronic Recording at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. The award, won for the track “End of Summer,” comes from Tame Impala’s 2025 album, *Deadbeat*.
In a candid conversation with fellow musician Mac DeMarco published in Interview magazine, Parker shared his surprise over the win, admitting, “I forgot they were even on.” He expressed this during a light-hearted exchange with DeMarco, who congratulated him on the accolade. “Look, I’m going to be dead honest with you,” Parker explained, “I forgot they were even on.”
Parker’s admission highlights his casual approach to award shows. While many artists anxiously await the results, the 40-year-old musician seemed blissfully unaware, joking with DeMarco about their mutual forgetfulness. “So did I,” DeMarco promptly replied, “But the difference is, I’m not up for any Grammys. You are.”
After learning of his Grammy win via a deluge of congratulatory messages on his phone, Parker described his confusion. As he recounted, “You have to imagine my confusion because in Australia, we wake up and then we find out about what happened in America… so my phone has absolutely blown up.” Faced with 30 messages congratulating him, Parker was left wondering, “What for, motherf–ker?”
This recent Grammy win is a significant milestone for Parker. It marks his second Grammy award, with the first being for the song “Neverender” in 2025, also in the Dance/Electronic category. Throughout his career, Parker has received five nominations for various projects, including the Best Alternative Music Album for *The Slow Rush* in 2021, *Currents* in 2016, and *Lonerism* in 2014.
The conversation between Parker and DeMarco also delved into their experiences as artists, particularly regarding live performances. DeMarco noted, “If it’s a good show, it’s really good. If it’s a bad show, it’s really f—ing bad.” He mentioned that such performances bring about a heightened sense of reality, where both the highs and lows are felt more intensely.
Parker agreed, acknowledging how he has come to appreciate moments during performances when things deviate from the set script. He remarked, “More and more, I’ve just been appreciating the moments when it doesn’t go to script because the bigger the shows you play, the more everything has to be to a script.” This philosophy towards live music indicates a shift in how Parker views the unpredictability of performances, labelling these surprises as “the sort of spice” that adds excitement.
As Tame Impala prepares for their upcoming *Deadbeat Tour*, Parker looks forward to the North American leg kicking off this summer in Miami. The tour promises to be a major undertaking, with Parker stating, “This year’s going to be the big dogs where we just go to America for f—ing eight weeks or whatever it is. See if we can stay sane.”
The eclectic sound of Tame Impala continues to resonate with fans, and with Parker at the helm, the band’s live performances are likely to strike a balance between the scripted and the spontaneous. As he approaches both his performances and accolades with a blend of humour and sincerity, Parker embodies the spirit of an artist learning to navigate the complexities of fame.
Grammy wins and sold-out tours aside, it is this grounded perspective that keeps Parker connected to his artistry and audience, ensuring that even a good night’s sleep can lead to unexpected opportunities.