Fazerdaze: Difference between revisions – Wikipedia

 

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==Career==

==Career==

=== Fazerdaze EP: 2014–2016 ===

=== Fazerdaze EP: 2014–2016 ===

While attending university, Murray began the Fazerdaze project with Gareth Thomas of [[Goodshirt]].<ref name=”:4″>{{Cite web |date=2015-05-29 |title=My Top 5: Fazerdaze |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/the-wireless/373090/my-top-5-fazerdaze |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}</ref><ref name=”:23″>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-20 |title=Fazerdaze – Muzic.NZ – Musicians & Bands |url=https://www.muzic.nz/artists/fazerdaze/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=Muzic.NZ |language=en-NZ}}</ref> after several failed attempts at forming bands with younger musicians. Soon after, she recorded her self-titled debut EP with Gareth<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-20 |title=Fazerdaze – Muzic.NZ – Musicians & Bands |url=https://www.muzic.nz/artists/fazerdaze/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=Muzic.NZ |language=en-NZ}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-05-29 |title=My Top 5: Fazerdaze |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/the-wireless/373090/my-top-5-fazerdaze |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Duda |first=Marty |date=2025-03-23 |title=Fazerdaze – Powerstation: March 22, 2025 (13th Floor Concert |url=https://13thfloor.co.nz/fazerdaze-powerstation-march-22-2025-13th-floor-concert-review/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=13thfloor.co.nz |language=en-NZ}}</ref>in [[Auckland]].<ref name=”:6″ /><ref name=”:3″ /><ref name=”:8″ /><ref name=”:16″>{{Cite web |title=Fazerdaze EP |url=https://fazerdaze.bandcamp.com/album/fazerdaze-ep |access-date=2018-08-01 |website=Fazerdaze}}</ref> She self-released the EP in October 2014 and received positive reviews.<ref name=”:11″ /><ref name=”:8″>{{Cite web |last=Wylie |first=Lachlan |date=2014-11-16 |title=Fazerdaze – Fazerdaze EP |url=https://happymag.tv/fazerdaze-fazerdaze-ep/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=Happy Mag |language=en-US}}</ref> The EP’s genre is described as [[bedroom pop]].<ref name=”:8″ /> Upon the EP’s release, Murray began playing at local shows by herself with backing tracks.<ref name=”:13″ /> Eventually, she met fellow New Zealand musicians and expanded Fazerdaze’s live act into a full band with auxiliary members accompanying her.<ref name=”:6″ /><ref name=”:13″ /> Fazerdaze began touring overseas, and opened for other artists’ shows, such as [[Unknown Mortal Orchestra]] and [[Connan Mockasin]].<ref name=”:13″ /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Fazerdaze |url=https://www.groenland.com/en/pages/artist/fazerdaze |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Grönland Records |language=en}}</ref>

While attending university, Murray began the Fazerdaze project with Gareth Thomas of [[Goodshirt]].<ref name=”:4″>{{Cite web |date=2015-05-29 |title=My Top 5: Fazerdaze |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/the-wireless/373090/my-top-5-fazerdaze |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}</ref><ref name=”:23″>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-20 |title=Fazerdaze – Muzic.NZ – Musicians & Bands |url=https://www.muzic.nz/artists/fazerdaze/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=Muzic.NZ |language=en-NZ}}</ref> after several failed attempts at forming bands with younger musicians. Soon after, she recorded her self-titled debut EP with Gareth<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-20 |title=Fazerdaze – Muzic.NZ – Musicians & Bands |url=https://www.muzic.nz/artists/fazerdaze/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=Muzic.NZ |language=en-NZ}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-05-29 |title=My Top 5: Fazerdaze |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/the-wireless/373090/my-top-5-fazerdaze |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Duda |first=Marty |date=2025-03-23 |title=Fazerdaze – Powerstation: March 22, 2025 (13th Floor Concert |url=https://13thfloor.co.nz/fazerdaze-powerstation-march-22-2025-13th-floor-concert-review/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=13thfloor.co.nz |language=en-NZ}}</ref>in [[Auckland]].<ref name=”:6″ /><ref name=”:3″ /><ref name=”:8″ /><ref name=”:16″>{{Cite web |title=Fazerdaze EP |url=https://fazerdaze.bandcamp.com/album/fazerdaze-ep |access-date=2018-08-01 |website=Fazerdaze}}</ref> She self-released the EP in October 2014 and received positive reviews.<ref name=”:11″ /><ref name=”:8″>{{Cite web |last=Wylie |first=Lachlan |date=2014-11-16 |title=Fazerdaze – Fazerdaze EP |url=https://happymag.tv/fazerdaze-fazerdaze-ep/ |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=Happy Mag |language=en-US}}</ref> The EP’s genre is described as [[bedroom pop]].<ref name=”:8″ /> Upon the EP’s release, Murray began playing at local shows by herself with backing tracks.<ref name=”:13″ /> Eventually, she met fellow New Zealand musicians and expanded Fazerdaze’s live act into a full band with auxiliary members accompanying her.<ref name=”:6″ /><ref name=”:13″ /> Fazerdaze began touring overseas, and opened for other artists’ shows, such as [[Unknown Mortal Orchestra]] and [[Connan Mockasin]].<ref name=”:13″ /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Fazerdaze |url=https://www.groenland.com/en/pages/artist/fazerdaze |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Grönland Records |language=en}}</ref>

=== ”Morningside”: 2017–2018 ===

=== ”Morningside”: 2017–2018 ===

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=== ”Break!”: 2022–2023 ===

=== ”Break!”: 2022–2023 ===

Murray went on a hiatus from the music industry for several years, and she returned in 2022 with Fazerdaze’s second EP, ”Break!”, that she wrote and recorded with Gareth Thomas at his home studio in [[Morningside, Auckland|Morningside]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Song Catalogue Search |url=https://www.apraamcos.co.nz/works-search |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=APRA AMCOS |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Song Catalogue Search |url=https://www.apraamcos.co.nz/works-search |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=APRA AMCOS |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Song Catalogue Search |url=https://www.apraamcos.co.nz/works-search |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=APRA AMCOS |language=en-US}}</ref>.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Farrier |first=David |date=2017-04-22 |title=Who is Fazerdaze? A year with NZ’s next indie darling |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/22-04-2017/who-is-fazerdaze-a-year-with-nzs-next-indie-darling |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=The Spinoff |language=en}}</ref> It was released on 14 October 2022.<ref name=”:6″ /><ref name=”:3″ /><ref name=”:10″ /> The EP was well received by music critics.<ref name=”:19″>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jake |date=12 October 2022 |title=ALBUM REVIEW: Fazerdaze – Break! EP |url=https://narcmagazine.com/album-review-fazerdaze-break-ep/ |access-date=2024-12-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=James |first=Luke |date=2022-10-23 |title=Review {{!}} Fazerdaze – Break! EP |url=https://clunkmag.com/review-fazerdaze-break-ep/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Clunk Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> Murray stated that her hiatus has been instrumental in helping her return to music, and she ended up finishing the EP during a three-month long lockdown in New Zealand.<ref name=”:3″>{{Cite web |last=Lochrie |first=Connor |date=2022-10-14 |title=Fazerdaze Releases Long-Awaited EP ‘Break!’ |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/fazerdaze-break-43375/ |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=Rolling Stone Australia |language=en}}</ref> Musically, ”Break!” is quite different from her previous work and it includes elements of [[dance pop]] and [[electronica]].<ref name=”:19″ /> Fazerdaze appeared in a single by New Zealand rock band [[Voom (band)|Voom]], titled “Magic” in November 2022.<ref name=”:20″>{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |title=Voom + Fazerdaze Share Single / Video ‘Magic’ |url=https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/news/20192/Voom–Fazerdaze-Share-Single–Video-Magic.utr |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=UnderTheRadarNZ |language=en}}</ref><ref name=”:21″>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-23 |title=VOOM is back! & releases ‘MAGIC (FT. FAZERDAZE)’ |url=https://thelabel.co.nz/voom-is-back-releases-magic-ft-fazerdaze/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=THE LABEL NZ |language=en-US}}</ref> The band’s lead singer, Buzz Moller had contributed his songwriting in ”Break!”.<ref name=”:20″ /> In early 2023, Fazerdaze released “Flood Into” as a standalone single, which had previously been available exclusively on the vinyl version of ”Break!”.<ref name=”:52″>{{Cite web |last=Moir |first=Tammy |date=2023-03-10 |title=Fazerdaze releases ‘Flood Into’ a journey of love, loss and personal reclamation |url=https://happymag.tv/fazerdaze-flood-into/ |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=Happy Mag |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=”:9″>{{Cite web |last=Lochrie |first=Conor |date=2023-03-09 |title=Fazerdaze Recognises Lost Love on Shoegaze Anthem ‘Flood Into’ |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/fazerdaze-flood-into-45724/ |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=Rolling Stone Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref> In September 2023, Fazerdaze released “Bigger”, the lead single of her second album, ”Soft Power”, ahead of her late 2023 tour in [[Australia]], [[the UK]], and [[Europe]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Daisy |date=2023-11-02 |title=Fazerdaze: “I feel a lot less worried about what people think now” |url=https://diymag.com/interview/fazerdaze-new-single-bigger |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=DIY |language=en}}</ref><ref name=”:42″>{{cite web |last=Lochrie |first=Conor |date=14 September 2023 |title=Fazerdaze Deftly Explores the Pressures of Being a Musician on ‘Bigger’ |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/fazerdaze-bigger-single-49942/ |access-date=15 September 2023 |website=Rolling Stone Australia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kendall |first=Arun |date=2023-09-13 |title=Track: Everything is ‘Bigger’ for Fazerdaze as she releases ethereal new single ahead of Australian and European tour. |url=https://www.backseatmafia.com/track-everything-is-bigger-for-fazerdaze-as-she-releases-ethereal-new-single-ahead-of-australian-and-european-tour/ |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=Backseat Mafia |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Murray went on a hiatus from the music industry for several years, and she returned in 2022 with Fazerdaze’s second EP, ”Break!”, that she wrote and recorded with Gareth Thomas at his home studio in [[Morningside, Auckland|Morningside]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Song Catalogue Search |url=https://www.apraamcos.co.nz/works-search |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=APRA AMCOS |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Song Catalogue Search |url=https://www.apraamcos.co.nz/works-search |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=APRA AMCOS |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Song Catalogue Search |url=https://www.apraamcos.co.nz/works-search |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=APRA AMCOS |language=en-US}}</ref>.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Farrier |first=David |date=2017-04-22 |title=Who is Fazerdaze? A year with NZ’s next indie darling |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/22-04-2017/who-is-fazerdaze-a-year-with-nzs-next-indie-darling |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=The Spinoff |language=en}}</ref> It was released on 14 October 2022.<ref name=”:6″ /><ref name=”:3″ /><ref name=”:10″ /> The EP was well received by music critics.<ref name=”:19″>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jake |date=12 October 2022 |title=ALBUM REVIEW: Fazerdaze – Break! EP |url=https://narcmagazine.com/album-review-fazerdaze-break-ep/ |access-date=2024-12-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=James |first=Luke |date=2022-10-23 |title=Review {{!}} Fazerdaze – Break! EP |url=https://clunkmag.com/review-fazerdaze-break-ep/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=Clunk Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> Murray stated that her hiatus has been instrumental in helping her return to music, and she ended up finishing the EP during a three-month long lockdown in New Zealand.<ref name=”:3″>{{Cite web |last=Lochrie |first=Connor |date=2022-10-14 |title=Fazerdaze Releases Long-Awaited EP ‘Break!’ |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/fazerdaze-break-43375/ |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=Rolling Stone Australia |language=en}}</ref> Musically, ”Break!” is quite different from her previous work and it includes elements of [[dance pop]] and [[electronica]].<ref name=”:19″ /> Fazerdaze appeared in a single by New Zealand rock band [[Voom (band)|Voom]], titled “Magic” in November 2022.<ref name=”:20″>{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |title=Voom + Fazerdaze Share Single / Video ‘Magic’ |url=https://www.undertheradar.co.nz/news/20192/Voom–Fazerdaze-Share-Single–Video-Magic.utr |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=UnderTheRadarNZ |language=en}}</ref><ref name=”:21″>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-23 |title=VOOM is back! & releases ‘MAGIC (FT. FAZERDAZE)’ |url=https://thelabel.co.nz/voom-is-back-releases-magic-ft-fazerdaze/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=THE LABEL NZ |language=en-US}}</ref> The band’s lead singer, Buzz Moller had contributed his songwriting in ”Break!”.<ref name=”:20″ /> In early 2023, Fazerdaze released “Flood Into” as a standalone single, which had previously been available exclusively on the vinyl version of ”Break!”.<ref name=”:52″>{{Cite web |last=Moir |first=Tammy |date=2023-03-10 |title=Fazerdaze releases ‘Flood Into’ a journey of love, loss and personal reclamation |url=https://happymag.tv/fazerdaze-flood-into/ |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=Happy Mag |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=”:9″>{{Cite web |last=Lochrie |first=Conor |date=2023-03-09 |title=Fazerdaze Recognises Lost Love on Shoegaze Anthem ‘Flood Into’ |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/fazerdaze-flood-into-45724/ |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=Rolling Stone Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref> In September 2023, Fazerdaze released “Bigger”, the lead single of her second album, ”Soft Power”, ahead of her late 2023 tour in [[Australia]], [[the UK]], and [[Europe]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Daisy |date=2023-11-02 |title=Fazerdaze: “I feel a lot less worried about what people think now” |url=https://diymag.com/interview/fazerdaze-new-single-bigger |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=DIY |language=en}}</ref><ref name=”:42″>{{cite web |last=Lochrie |first=Conor |date=14 September 2023 |title=Fazerdaze Deftly Explores the Pressures of Being a Musician on ‘Bigger’ |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/fazerdaze-bigger-single-49942/ |access-date=15 September 2023 |website=Rolling Stone Australia}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kendall |first=Arun |date=2023-09-13 |title=Track: Everything is ‘Bigger’ for Fazerdaze as she releases ethereal new single ahead of Australian and European tour. |url=https://www.backseatmafia.com/track-everything-is-bigger-for-fazerdaze-as-she-releases-ethereal-new-single-ahead-of-australian-and-european-tour/ |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=Backseat Mafia |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== ”Soft Power”: 2024–current ===

=== ”Soft Power”: 2024–current ===

In May 2024, Fazerdaze was announced as the support act for Australian psychedelic rock band, [[Pond (Australian band)|Pond]] on their 2024 North American tour which was held from November until early December.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pearis |first=Bill |title=Pond announce tour with Fazerdaze, share “So Lo” |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/pond-announce-tour-with-fazerdaze-share-so-lo/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=BrooklynVegan |language=en-US}}</ref> On 10 September 2024, Murray announced the release date of Fazerdaze’s sophomore album, ”Soft Power”. Along with the announcement, she released “Cherry Pie”, the second single from the album.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lochrie |first=Conor |date=2024-09-10 |title=Fazerdaze Announces Long-Awaited Second Album ‘Soft Power’ |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/fazerdaze-announces-second-album-soft-power-66677/ |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=Rolling Stone Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref> The song was once again a collaberation with Gareth Thomas of [[Goodshirt]] and [[Leroy Clampitt|Leroy Clampit]] joined in too<ref>{{Cite web |title=Announcing finalists for the 2025 APRA Silver Scroll Award & Tohu… |url=https://www.apraamcos.co.nz/about-us/news-and-events/2025-apra-silver-scroll-award-top-5-and-tohu-maioha-top-3-announced |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=APRA AMCOS |language=en-US}}</ref>.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Song Catalogue Search |url=https://www.apraamcos.co.nz/works-search |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=APRA AMCOS |language=en-US}}</ref> The song became Fazerdaze’s first No. 1 hit on the [[NZ Hot Singles Chart|NZ Hot Singles chart]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Official New Zealand Music Chart |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-aotearoa-singles/2018-12-21 |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=THE OFFICIAL NZ MUSIC CHART |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 September 2024 |title=NZ Charts |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DAH_Dacs_Z8/?igsh=MWZzYTUzdXFnNHJsNA== |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=www.instagram.com}}</ref> In the following month, she released the third single from the album, titled “A Thousand Years” on 9 October 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-09 |title=Fazerdaze Shares New Single ‘A Thousand Years’ |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/fazerdaze-shares-new-single-a-thousand-years-67766/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Rolling Stone Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref> Just before the album’s release, Murray and her bandmate, Dave Rowlands,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wexler |first=Rachael |date=2024-12-04 |title=The Vic Theater Gets ‘Stung!’ by Pond {{!}} The Loyola Phoenix |url=https://loyolaphoenix.com/2024/12/the-vic-theater-gets-stung-by-pond/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |language=en-US}}</ref> commenced on the tour with Pond on 12 November 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fazerdaze Concert & Tour History (Updated for 2024) {{!}} Concert Archives |url=https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/fazerdaze |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=www.concertarchives.org}}</ref> On 15 November 2024, ”Soft Power” was released and received critical acclaim.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-14 |title=Fazerdaze ‘Soft Power’: Album Review |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/fazerdaze-soft-power-album-review-68921/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Rolling Stone Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kendall |first=Arun |date=2024-11-14 |title=Album Review: Fazerdaze wields her ‘Soft Power’ with aplomb in a majestic new album. |url=https://www.backseatmafia.com/album-review-fazerdaze-wields-her-soft-power-with-aplomb-in-a-majestic-new-album/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Backseat Mafia |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=jaredeichmann |date=2024-11-14 |title=Album Review: Fazerdaze – Soft Power |url=https://theindyreview.com/2024/11/14/album-review-fazerdaze-soft-power/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=The Indy Review |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pywell |first=Matty |title=Fazerdaze, ””Soft Power”” |url=https://floodmagazine.com/181008/fazerdaze-soft-power/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=FLOOD |language=en}}</ref> The album’s fourth and last single, “So Easy” was released with a music video uploaded to [[YouTube]] on the same day.<ref name=”:22″ />

In May 2024, Fazerdaze was announced as the support act for Australian psychedelic rock band, [[Pond (Australian band)|Pond]] on their 2024 North American tour which was held from November until early December.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pearis |first=Bill |title=Pond announce tour with Fazerdaze, share “So Lo” |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/pond-announce-tour-with-fazerdaze-share-so-lo/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=BrooklynVegan |language=en-US}}</ref> On 10 September 2024, Murray announced the release date of Fazerdaze’s sophomore album, ”Soft Power”. Along with the announcement, she released “Cherry Pie”, the second single from the album.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lochrie |first=Conor |date=2024-09-10 |title=Fazerdaze Announces Long-Awaited Second Album ‘Soft Power’ |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/fazerdaze-announces-second-album-soft-power-66677/ |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=Rolling Stone Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref> The song was once again a collaberation with Gareth Thomas ]] and [[Leroy Clampitt|Leroy Clampit]] joined in too<ref>{{Cite web |title=Announcing finalists for the 2025 APRA Silver Scroll Award & Tohu… |url=https://www.apraamcos.co.nz/about-us/news-and-events/2025-apra-silver-scroll-award-top-5-and-tohu-maioha-top-3-announced |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=APRA AMCOS |language=en-US}}</ref>.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Song Catalogue Search |url=https://www.apraamcos.co.nz/works-search |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=APRA AMCOS |language=en-US}}</ref> The song became Fazerdaze’s first No. 1 hit on the [[NZ Hot Singles Chart|NZ Hot Singles chart]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Official New Zealand Music Chart |url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-aotearoa-singles/2018-12-21 |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=THE OFFICIAL NZ MUSIC CHART |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 September 2024 |title=NZ Charts |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/DAH_Dacs_Z8/?igsh=MWZzYTUzdXFnNHJsNA== |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=www.instagram.com}}</ref> In the following month, she released the third single from the album, titled “A Thousand Years” on 9 October 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-09 |title=Fazerdaze Shares New Single ‘A Thousand Years’ |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/fazerdaze-shares-new-single-a-thousand-years-67766/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Rolling Stone Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref> Just before the album’s release, Murray and her bandmate, Dave Rowlands,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wexler |first=Rachael |date=2024-12-04 |title=The Vic Theater Gets ‘Stung!’ by Pond {{!}} The Loyola Phoenix |url=https://loyolaphoenix.com/2024/12/the-vic-theater-gets-stung-by-pond/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |language=en-US}}</ref> commenced on the tour with Pond on 12 November 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fazerdaze Concert & Tour History (Updated for 2024) {{!}} Concert Archives |url=https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/fazerdaze |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=www.concertarchives.org}}</ref> On 15 November 2024, ”Soft Power” was released and received critical acclaim.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-14 |title=Fazerdaze ‘Soft Power’: Album Review |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/fazerdaze-soft-power-album-review-68921/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Rolling Stone Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kendall |first=Arun |date=2024-11-14 |title=Album Review: Fazerdaze wields her ‘Soft Power’ with aplomb in a majestic new album. |url=https://www.backseatmafia.com/album-review-fazerdaze-wields-her-soft-power-with-aplomb-in-a-majestic-new-album/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=Backseat Mafia |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=jaredeichmann |date=2024-11-14 |title=Album Review: Fazerdaze – Soft Power |url=https://theindyreview.com/2024/11/14/album-review-fazerdaze-soft-power/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=The Indy Review |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pywell |first=Matty |title=Fazerdaze, ””Soft Power”” |url=https://floodmagazine.com/181008/fazerdaze-soft-power/ |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=FLOOD |language=en}}</ref> The album’s fourth and last single, “So Easy” was released with a music video uploaded to [[YouTube]] on the same day.<ref name=”:22″ />

Fazerdaze won the [[Aotearoa Music Award for Best Solo Artist|Best Solo Artist]] and [[Aotearoa Music Award for Album of the Year|Album of The Year]] categories for ”Soft Power” during the [[2025 Aotearoa Music Awards|58th Aotearoa Music Awards]], which was held on 29 May 2025. This is her first time winning both awards.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ZB |date=2025-06-16 |title=”Long time coming”: Fazerdaze dominates Aotearoa Music Awards, wins Album of the Year |url=https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/saturday-morning-with-jack-tame/audio/amelia-murray-fazerdaze-on-winning-album-of-the-year-at-the-aotearoa-music-awards-us-tour/ |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=ZB |language=en-nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Aotearoa Music Awards 2025: Fazerdaze re-emerges on top |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/music/aotearoa-music-awards-2025-fazerdaze-re-emerges-on-top |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=AMA {{!}} Awards |url=https://aotearoamusicawards.co.nz/awards |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=Aotearoa Music Awards |language=en}}</ref>

Fazerdaze won the [[Aotearoa Music Award for Best Solo Artist|Best Solo Artist]] and [[Aotearoa Music Award for Album of the Year|Album of The Year]] categories for ”Soft Power” during the [[2025 Aotearoa Music Awards|58th Aotearoa Music Awards]], which was held on 29 May 2025. This is her first time winning both awards.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ZB |date=2025-06-16 |title=”Long time coming”: Fazerdaze dominates Aotearoa Music Awards, wins Album of the Year |url=https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/saturday-morning-with-jack-tame/audio/amelia-murray-fazerdaze-on-winning-album-of-the-year-at-the-aotearoa-music-awards-us-tour/ |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=ZB |language=en-nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Aotearoa Music Awards 2025: Fazerdaze re-emerges on top |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/music/aotearoa-music-awards-2025-fazerdaze-re-emerges-on-top |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=AMA {{!}} Awards |url=https://aotearoamusicawards.co.nz/awards |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=Aotearoa Music Awards |language=en}}</ref>

== Artistry ==

== Artistry ==

Murray mostly prefers making music by herself,<ref name=”:7″ /> though from 2012 to 2021 she consistently collaborated with Gareth Thomas of [[Goodshirt]] for both EPs, both albums and the best known Fazerdaze singles such as Lucky Girl, Soft Power, Cherry Pie, Bigger, Come Apart and Treading Lightly.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Song Catalogue Search |url=https://www.apraamcos.co.nz/works-search |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=APRA AMCOS |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Song Catalogue Search |url=https://www.apraamcos.co.nz/works-search |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=APRA AMCOS |language=en-US}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |title=Song Catalogue Search |url=https://www.apraamcos.co.nz/works-search |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=APRA AMCOS |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Song Catalogue Search |url=https://www.apraamcos.co.nz/works-search |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=APRA AMCOS |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Song Catalogue Search |url=https://www.apraamcos.co.nz/works-search |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=APRA AMCOS |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-05-29 |title=My Top 5: Fazerdaze |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/the-wireless/373090/my-top-5-fazerdaze |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Duda |first=Marty |date=2025-03-23 |title=Fazerdaze – Powerstation: March 22, 2025 (13th Floor Concert |url=https://13thfloor.co.nz/fazerdaze-powerstation-march-22-2025-13th-floor-concert-review/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=13thfloor.co.nz |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-20 |title=Fazerdaze – Muzic.NZ – Musicians & Bands |url=https://www.muzic.nz/artists/fazerdaze/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=Muzic.NZ |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Song Catalogue Search |url=https://www.apraamcos.co.nz/works-search |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=APRA AMCOS |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=”:24″>{{Cite web |last=Farrier |first=David |date=2017-04-22 |title=Who is Fazerdaze? A year with NZ’s next indie darling |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/22-04-2017/who-is-fazerdaze-a-year-with-nzs-next-indie-darling |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=The Spinoff |language=en}}</ref> Some of the musical genres linked to Fazerdaze are dream pop, [[bedroom pop]], indie pop, [[alternative rock]], indie rock and shoegaze.<ref name=”:6″ /><ref name=”:5″>{{Cite web |last=Stubbs |first=Warwick |date=2017-05-05 |title=Fazerdaze – Morningside – Albums – Reviews – Soundblab |url=https://soundblab.com/reviews/albums/18023-fazerdaze-morningside |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929205152/https://soundblab.com/reviews/albums/18023-fazerdaze-morningside |archive-date=2020-09-29 |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=Soundblab}}</ref><ref name=”newzealandherald” /><ref name=”:9″ /> Some of Murray’s musical influences include 1990s rock bands, such as [[Blur (band)|Blur]] and [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]].<ref name=”:6″ />

Murray mostly prefers making music by herself,<ref name=”:7″ /> though from 2012 to 2021 she consistently collaborated with Gareth Thomas ]] for both EPs, both albums and the best known Fazerdaze singles such as Lucky Girl, Soft Power, Cherry Pie, Bigger, Come Apart and Treading Lightly.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Song Catalogue Search |url=https://www.apraamcos.co.nz/works-search |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=APRA AMCOS |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Song Catalogue Search |url=https://www.apraamcos.co.nz/works-search |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=APRA AMCOS |language=en-US}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |title=Song Catalogue Search |url=https://www.apraamcos.co.nz/works-search |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=APRA AMCOS |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Song Catalogue Search |url=https://www.apraamcos.co.nz/works-search |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=APRA AMCOS |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Song Catalogue Search |url=https://www.apraamcos.co.nz/works-search |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=APRA AMCOS |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-05-29 |title=My Top 5: Fazerdaze |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/the-wireless/373090/my-top-5-fazerdaze |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Duda |first=Marty |date=2025-03-23 |title=Fazerdaze – Powerstation: March 22, 2025 (13th Floor Concert |url=https://13thfloor.co.nz/fazerdaze-powerstation-march-22-2025-13th-floor-concert-review/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=13thfloor.co.nz |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-20 |title=Fazerdaze – Muzic.NZ – Musicians & Bands |url=https://www.muzic.nz/artists/fazerdaze/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=Muzic.NZ |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Song Catalogue Search |url=https://www.apraamcos.co.nz/works-search |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=APRA AMCOS |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=”:24″>{{Cite web |last=Farrier |first=David |date=2017-04-22 |title=Who is Fazerdaze? A year with NZ’s next indie darling |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/pop-culture/22-04-2017/who-is-fazerdaze-a-year-with-nzs-next-indie-darling |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=The Spinoff |language=en}}</ref> Some of the musical genres linked to Fazerdaze are dream pop, [[bedroom pop]], indie pop, [[alternative rock]], indie rock and shoegaze.<ref name=”:6″ /><ref name=”:5″>{{Cite web |last=Stubbs |first=Warwick |date=2017-05-05 |title=Fazerdaze – Morningside – Albums – Reviews – Soundblab |url=https://soundblab.com/reviews/albums/18023-fazerdaze-morningside |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929205152/https://soundblab.com/reviews/albums/18023-fazerdaze-morningside |archive-date=2020-09-29 |access-date=2023-05-09 |website=Soundblab}}</ref><ref name=”newzealandherald” /><ref name=”:9″ /> Some of Murray’s musical influences include 1990s rock bands, such as [[Blur (band)|Blur]] and [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]].<ref name=”:6″ />

== Members ==

== Members ==

Line 48: Line 48:

* Amelia Murray – vocals, guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, production (2014–present)

* Amelia Murray – vocals, guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, production (2014–present)

* Gareth Thomas – vocals, bass, keyboards, synthesizers, bass, production and songwriting (2012-2021)<ref name=”:23″ /><ref name=”:4″ /><ref name=”:24″ />

* Gareth Thomas – vocals, bass, keyboards, synthesizers, bass, production and songwriting (2012-2021)<ref name=”:23″ /><ref name=”:4″ /><ref name=”:24″ />

=== Live ===

=== Live ===

Line 61: Line 61:

According to Gareth Shute, David Farrier and Andy Hazel.<ref name=”:13″ /><ref name=”:14″ /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hazel |first=Andy |title=Live Review: Fazerdaze, Sweet Whirl, Garage Sale @ The Gasometer |url=https://themusic.com.au/reviews/fazerdaze-sweet-whirl-garage-sale-the-gasometer/gaM_lZSXlpk/14-10-23 |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=The Music |language=en}}</ref>

According to Gareth Shute, David Farrier and Andy Hazel.<ref name=”:13″ /><ref name=”:14″ /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hazel |first=Andy |title=Live Review: Fazerdaze, Sweet Whirl, Garage Sale @ The Gasometer |url=https://themusic.com.au/reviews/fazerdaze-sweet-whirl-garage-sale-the-gasometer/gaM_lZSXlpk/14-10-23 |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=The Music |language=en}}</ref>

* Gareth Thomas – bass guitar (2014–2015)

* Gareth Thomas – bass guitar (2014–2015)

* Andrea Holmes – drums (2014–2015)

* Andrea Holmes – drums (2014–2015)

* Mark Perkins – guitar, keyboards (2015–2018)

* Mark Perkins – guitar, keyboards (2015–2018)

New Zealand musician

Musical artist

Amelia Rahayu Murray (born 19 January 1993)^[1][2] is a New Zealand singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist.^[3][4] She is best known for her musical project Fazerdaze.

Murray first gained acclaim in 2014 for Fazerdaze’s self-titled debut EP. She gained further recognition in 2017 after releasing her debut album, Morningside. Its single, “Lucky Girl”, became a viral hit. Following a period of burnout and personal challenges, she took a break from the music industry for several years and returned in late 2022 with Fazerdaze’s second EP, Break!. Her second album, Soft Power was released on 15 November 2024 and received critical acclaim.

Fazerdaze’s music is best known for its intimate, introspective lyrics and dreamy echo-laden production.^[3][5][6][7] Some of the genres associated with the project are dream pop, shoegaze and alternative rock.

Murray was born in 1993 to an English-born New Zealander father and an Indonesian mother.^[8] She is the youngest of three siblings,^[1] and was raised in New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington.^[3][9] Her interest in playing music began when she played her father’s guitar at age 13. During her time at Onslow College, a Wellington high school with a vibrant music scene, she formed a band with her friends called The Tangle. The band eventually dissolved after they graduated from high school.^[10] Murray then made the decision to pursue music as her career and moved to Auckland to study music at University of Auckland.^[11]

While attending university, Murray began the Fazerdaze project with Gareth Thomas of Goodshirt.^[12][13] after several failed attempts at forming bands with younger musicians. Soon after, she recorded her self-titled debut EP with Gareth^{[14] [15][16]}in Auckland.^{[3][4][17][18]} She self-released the EP in October 2014 and received positive reviews.^[10][17] The EP’s genre is described as bedroom pop.^[17] Upon the EP’s release, Murray began playing at local shows by herself with backing tracks.^[8] Eventually, she met fellow New Zealand musicians and expanded Fazerdaze’s live act into a full band with auxiliary members accompanying her.^[3][8] Fazerdaze began touring overseas, and opened for other artists’ shows, such as Unknown Mortal Orchestra and Connan Mockasin.^[8][19]

In May 2017, Murray released Fazerdaze’s debut album, Morningside. The album was named after the Auckland neighborhood of the same name where she used to live.^{[nb 1][6][21][22]} Morningside became a hit album with its viral single “Lucky Girl” that Murray wrote with Gareth Thomas^[23][24].^[8][21] The single’s music video was shot and directed by Samuel Kristofski. Murray edited the music video.^[11][25] Like her previous release, the album is also dubbed as a bedroom pop record.^[26] After touring extensively and internationally for the album, Murray experienced burnout and she encountered problems with unhealthy professional and personal relationship with a string of fallouts with her changing band managers^[27][28].^[1][3][29]

Murray went on a hiatus from the music industry for several years, and she returned in 2022 with Fazerdaze’s second EP, Break!, that she wrote and recorded with Gareth Thomas at his home studio in Morningside^[30][31][32].^[33] It was released on 14 October 2022.^[3][4][29] The EP was well received by music critics.^[34][35] Murray stated that her hiatus has been instrumental in helping her return to music, and she ended up finishing the EP during a three-month long lockdown in New Zealand.^[4] Musically, Break! is quite different from her previous work and it includes elements of dance pop and electronica.^[34] Fazerdaze appeared in a single by New Zealand rock band Voom, titled “Magic” in November 2022.^[36][37] The band’s lead singer, Buzz Moller had contributed his songwriting in Break!.^[36] In early 2023, Fazerdaze released “Flood Into” as a standalone single, which had previously been available exclusively on the vinyl version of Break!.^[38][39] In September 2023, Fazerdaze released “Bigger”, the lead single of her second album, Soft Power, ahead of her late 2023 tour in Australia, the UK, and Europe.^[40][41][42]

In May 2024, Fazerdaze was announced as the support act for Australian psychedelic rock band, Pond on their 2024 North American tour which was held from November until early December.^[43] On 10 September 2024, Murray announced the release date of Fazerdaze’s sophomore album, Soft Power. Along with the announcement, she released “Cherry Pie”, the second single from the album.^[44] The song was once again a collaberation with Gareth Thomas and Leroy Clampit joined in too^[45].^[46] The song became Fazerdaze’s first No. 1 hit on the NZ Hot Singles chart.^[47][48] In the following month, she released the third single from the album, titled “A Thousand Years” on 9 October 2024.^[49] Just before the album’s release, Murray and her bandmate, Dave Rowlands,^[50] commenced on the tour with Pond on 12 November 2024.^[51] On 15 November 2024, Soft Power was released and received critical acclaim.^{[52][53][54][55]} The album’s fourth and last single, “So Easy” was released with a music video uploaded to YouTube on the same day.^[56]

Fazerdaze won the Best Solo Artist and Album of The Year categories for Soft Power during the 58th Aotearoa Music Awards, which was held on 29 May 2025. This is her first time winning both awards.^[57][58][59]

Murray mostly prefers making music by herself,^[11] though from 2012 to 2021 she consistently collaborated with Gareth Thomas for both EPs, both albums and the best known Fazerdaze singles such as Lucky Girl, Soft Power, Cherry Pie, Bigger, Come Apart and Treading Lightly.^{[60][61] [62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69]} Some of the musical genres linked to Fazerdaze are dream pop, bedroom pop, indie pop, alternative rock, indie rock and shoegaze.^{[3][70][21][39]} Some of Murray’s musical influences include 1990s rock bands, such as Blur and Nirvana.^[3]

• Amelia Murray – vocals, guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, production (2014–present)
• Gareth Thomas – vocals, bass, keyboards, synthesizers, bass, production and songwriting (2012-2021)^[13][12][69]

Per Marty Duda;^[71] also adapted from Break! and Soft Power liner notes.^[72][73]

• Amelia Murray – lead vocals and guitar (2014–present)
• Dave Rowlands – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2022–present)
• Kathleen Tomacruz – bass guitar, backing vocals (2022–present)
• Oliver O’Loughlin – drums (2017–2018; 2022–present)^[8][25]

According to Gareth Shute, David Farrier and Andy Hazel.^[8][25][74]

• Gareth Thomas – bass guitar (2014–2015)
• Andrea Holmes – drums (2014–2015)
• Mark Perkins – guitar, keyboards (2015–2018)
• Elliot Francis – drums (2015–2018)
• Benjamin Locke – bass guitar (2015–2018)
• Guy Cowan
• Benjamin Tindall
• Carla Camilleri – keyboards, backing vocals (2022–2024)

• Aporia ft. Fazerdaze – “First Nail In The Coffin” (2018)^[8][84]
• Eyedress ft. Fazerdaze – “Window Eyes” (2018)^[8][85]
• Sparrows ft. Fazerdaze – “Gold in the Tide” (2019)^[8][86]
• The Phoenix Foundation – “Beside Yourself (with Fazerdaze)” (2021)^[8][87]
• Voom ft. Fazerdaze – “Magic” (2022)^[36][37]