Music Industry News

Ōtautahi based folk singer and songwriter Fraser Ross has today unveiled his new single ‘Cards’. This is the first single to be released off his upcoming album Thunderhead, which is set for release in March 2024.

Sparkling moments of guitar ear candy are woven in and around a steady rhythm guitar, creating a charming relaxed rock vibe with country songwriting sensibilities. At first listen ‘Cards’ appears easy-going, but there’s an underlying lyrical melancholy as Fraser documents a summer of heartbreak in the ‘game’ of love. “‘Cards’ is about dealing with the loss of someone I could have gone ‘all in’ with,” reflects Fraser, “and how I’ll hopefully be better at playing future hands.”

‘Cards’ was recorded at Massey School of Music, with further tracking and mixing at The Surgery in Wellington by Dr. Lee Prebble, before being mastered at Munki Studios by Mike Gibson.

“I wrote two-thirds of the song in a van driving between Murchison and Golden Bay, enroute to a Summer holiday,” says Fraser. “And a week later, in Golden Bay, I had the last bit. Lyrically, the song documents how I found someone new that January, but I was still too heartbroken to ‘play another hand’ when it happened.”

Fraser Ross is a Christchurch-based folk musician who has traveled the world playing and supporting bands including Phoenix Foundation, Nathan Haines, and Nadia Reid. His EPs, AND BIRDS DO SING (2009) and TO PLACES (2012) established him as a serious talent and a brilliant, loud-shirted presence within the New Zealand underground. Numerous shows, time in Scotland, and two Albums – MONGRELS (2015) and LIFE IS MAGIC, WHERE IS MY RABBIT? (2018) – later, he has built a dedicated following in both the UK and New Zealand. Dubbed a ‘Kiwi Billy Connolly’ for his tongue-in-cheek stage presence, he’ll mix a light-hearted quip with a lonesome tune no problem. Fraser has played at numerous arts festivals, including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, LitCraw (Verb) Wellington, the Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival, Wellington City Summer Sounds, and the Christchurch Nostalgia Festival.

With an album in the pipeline for release early this year, there’s guaranteed to be more excellent music to come from this local artist. Keep an eye out!

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Photo credit: Veronika Ek