Sun Rai is the solo project of Australian musician Rai Thistlethwayte, known for his work as the lead singer and primary songwriter of the pop rock band Thirsty Merc. Born on April 19, 1980, in Sydney, Thistlethwayte was immersed in music from an early age, with a classical pianist mother and a father who played bass and guitar in local rock bands. He studied jazz piano at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music before signing his first record deal with Columbia Records in the U.S. However, after a management shake-up at the label, he returned to Australia and formed Thirsty Merc, which achieved significant success in the Australian music scene.