Music Industry News

Fraser Ross has released his much-anticipated album Thunderhead – and it does not disappoint!

Weaving folk, indie and soft-rock, the Ōtautahi-based indie-folk artist has achieved a masterful collection of perfectly curated songs. The journey of Thunderhead is as universal as it is personal to the artist, who wrote it as a documentary of self-discovery and forgiveness through his travels throughout America.

Named after Thunderhead Artist’s Refuge in Montana, Fraser says that his experience at the artist camp was one of recovery and redirecting: “It was the physical and metaphorical place I turned around and stopped running away from the guilt of leaving.”

Fraser’s recently released title-track single ‘Thunderhead’ carries the emotional weight of this turning point, with reflective lyrics and expressive instrumentation. It was also joined by the unmissable new music video, which Fraser hopes further illustrates the song’s journey of moving on. Filmed with good friend Robyn Jordaan, the clip follows Fraser on a turbulent journey through Ōtautahi via electric scooter, collecting various clothes and memorabilia en route. Both video and single are charming insights into Fraser’s quirky sense of humour and paint beautiful imagery for moving on.

Each previously released single – ‘Janice, In the Dairy’, ‘Thunderhead’, ‘Cards’ – has contributed to the anticipation for today’s release, and received support from the likes of Apple Music New Music Daily, RNZ, SRN – Radio Active Top 10, Radio One Top 11 and NZOA NewTracks. While each track can stand confidently on its own, the careful curation connects them like carriages of a train taking listeners on an enjoyable journey of infectious and heartfelt music.

The warmth, balance and blending of sounds are owed to the skillful tracking and mixing by Lee Prebble at Wellington’s Surgery Studios, and final mastering by Mike Gibson.

Check out all things Fraser Ross below:
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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 today’s exciting new contribution to the Aotearoa music landscape, THUNDERHEAD is yet another reason to celebrate the talent that is Fraser Ross.

Photo Credit: Robyn Jordaan
Design: Fraser Ross