Off her recent long awaited EP ‘Break’, the enigmatic and brilliant Fazerdaze (the nom de plume of Amelia Murray) has today unveiled a video for the track ‘Winter’ as a well as tremendous news of her support slot on the new Lorde tour: a magnificent reflection of her growing stature.
‘Winter’ is the quieter, more reflective side of ‘Break!’, an EP that had otherwise reflected a harder, more mature Fazerdaze coming back after a break from her debut album ‘Morningside’, released way back in 2017. Whereas the EP as a whole tends towards a cathartic fuzzy blast, ‘Winter’ is fey, wistful and melancholic with a tinkling piano and soul-infused anthemic chorus. Murray says of the track:
‘Winter’ is a song about hope and disappointment. It’s about striving to see the best in someone, and choosing to believe someone’s words over their actions. This song makes me think of what Maya Angelou said; “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time”. This is something I have had to learn the hard way repeatedly, and these lyrics show me going through that lesson.
The video – set in the pouring rain – was filmed in Christchurch and despite the gloom and yearning tone, Murray seems buoyant and joyous:
My vision for this video was to have a girl in a bright coloured rain jacket on a grey winter’s day. I wanted the brightness of her jacket to symbolise the hope she is holding onto within a grey, murky situation. When I told Joey (the director) this vision, we were out the door in ten minutes to shoot this. We did zero planning, which worked well for me as I wasn’t able to overthink the performance.
I can’t help thing of Nicolas Roeg’s classic horror film ‘Don’t Look Now’, which creates a subtle ominous air:
You can get the brilliant ‘Break!’ (out through section 1/Flying Nun Records) via the link below:
Two Fazerdaze Break! EP release shows have been announced; San Fran, Wellington 25th November and The Hollywood Avondale, Auckland 26th November.
Both shows will be Fazerdaze’s anticipated return to the stage and her first live performances in Aotearoa since January 2020. Both shows will be supported by US-based carwash and rising NZ-Korean musician hanbee.
Tickets on sale now from undertheradar.co.nz
Fazerdaze performs Laneway Monday, 30th January, 2023 now at Western Springs – Auckland.
Fazerdaze has also been announced as support to Lorde for her 2023 New Zealand tour. She’ll be taking to the stage on the following dates:
Tuesday, 21st February – Days Bay, Wellington
Wednesday 22nd February – Days Bay, Wellington
Monday 27th February – Neuedorf, Upper Moutere
Wednesday 1st March – Black Barn, Havelock North
Thursday 2nd March – Black Barn, Havelock North
Saturday 4th March – OuterFields, Auckland
Feature Photograph: Joey Clough
