‘New Zealand’s best kept musical secret’
— Capital Times
‘His music, which has traditional folk roots, has a wonderful way of breaking free from genre’
— The Wireless
‘Like a Kiwi Billy Connolly’
— The View, Scotland
WITH SPECIAL GUEST GRETA O'LEARY
Celebrating the release of his new record THUNDERHEAD, Fraser Ross is performing 'one show for each island.' Weaving folk, indie and soft-rock, the Ōtautahi-based 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 quirky sense of humour paints beautiful imagery for moving on with singles from this collection like ‘Janice, In the Dairy’, ‘Thunderhead’ and ‘Cards’ connecting the record like carriages of a train, taking listeners on an enjoyable journey of infectious and heartfelt music.
He has travelled the world with music, supporting 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. With his exciting new contribution to the Aotearoa music landscape, THUNDERHEAD is yet another reason to celebrate the talent that is Fraser Ross.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Vogelmorn Upstairs is not a wheelchair accessible building. There is an accessible
bathroom in the space. This is an all ages venue but those under the age of 16 must be
accompanied by a designated adult after 8pm. The Vogelmorn Precinct is a community
space located in a residential area. With that in mind, the team ask that you be kind to
others' and that when you leave the gig, you do so quietly to avoid disturbing our neighbours. The Upstairs Bar and Smoked and Pickled Restaurant will be open from 3pm, to book a
table for pre-show kai email Alice at smokednpickled@gmail.com
