Featured Artist: Fazerdaze

ℹ️ Featured artists are editorial selections by the ROSTR team. They’re usually artists we find interesting / recently made big moves or we just like their music.

Check out the Fazerdaze profile

About

After a five-year break from music, Amelia Murray, better known as Fazerdaze, is making a triumphant return with her five-track EP “Break!” Amelia first broke onto the scene with her critically acclaimed debut album “Morningside” in 2017, which led to commercial success, world tours, lineup slots on huge festivals – and an enormous load of pressure for a follow-up album.

After being thrust into the limelight, the then 24 year-old began to feel the burnout and exhaustion that many young artists experience at the start of their careers. Label demands, being treated as a brand, and fear of delivering another successful record all contributed to Amelia’s decision to break away from the music scene. The New Zealand singer-songwriter has since been on an incredible journey of self-acceptance and has learned that “giving up is to choose something better for yourself.” While “Break!” is in reference to the hiatus Amelia took for the sake of finding her own happiness, the appropriately titled EP also represents the artist’s severance from allowing her art and self-worth to be determined by others. While this project still maintains the upbeat bedroom pop/rock energy of previous works, it remains a testament to the power of healing, vulnerability, and letting go.

In a conversation with Coup De Main, Fazerdaze describes the project as “unfiltered, gritty, and fun.” The five tracks, indeed, leap between genres and moods, some layered with distorted vocals and painfully honest lyrics, and others are complemented with influences from 90s grunge bands. While the indie artist hopes fans can take away that the notion that giving up is okay, Amelia, herself, is learning how to let go of her love for her songs – understanding they are now out in the world and no longer are a secret on her computer.

With the promise of more music next year, Fazerdaze is taking long strides towards a healthy relationship with her art, and is unburdened by people’s expectations of her going forward. Fazerdaze has received editorial support from Rolling Stone AU/NZ and has seen support on playlists like Dreampop Classics, The New Alt, Best Indie Songs of 2022 & many more.