12 January 2026
Some artists choose music. Others are chosen by it. For Amelia Murray - the force behind Fazerdaze - songwriting isn’t so much a decision as an instinct.
In our recent Artists Interview, Amelia describes her process as something that feels “almost beyond my own control” — a pull that’s been with her since her teenage years, when making music eclipsed everything else at high school.
One of Amelia’s earliest career milestones came quietly. Sitting in a university class, earphones discreetly in, she heard her own music playing on the radio for the first time. It was deeply personal - a song recorded at home suddenly reaching people she would never meet.
That sense of connection has only grown.
In 2025, Fazerdaze’s latest album Soft Power marked a defining moment in her career, earning her Album of the Year and Best Solo Artist at the Aotearoa Music Awards - a remarkable achievement that cemented her place among New Zealand’s most respected contemporary artists. The album’s success followed a period of reflection and creative rebuilding, making its impact even more meaningful.
With a sound that seamlessly blends dreamy indie pop and rock sensibilities, Fazerdaze has evolved from early bedroom recordings to stages around the world. In recent years she has toured internationally, supporting renowned acts POND, the Pixies and Spoon on their US tours, and brought her music back home with intimate shows in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland to reconnect with local fans.
However, even with rising acclaim and international exposure, Amelia is candid about the financial challenges of making a life in music.
Even though I’m winning awards and playing shows internationally, and supporting pretty big artists, financially making this work, it’s – yeah - it’s challenging.
Her honesty sheds light on the reality behind the glamour. The hard work, resilience and uncertainty that goes into sustaining a creative career.
This is where the wider music ecosystem plays a vital role.
Support from New Zealand businesses - including those who play music in their spaces - helps underpin the careers of artists like Amelia. Revenue flowing back into the local music community contributes directly to recording, touring and the time it takes to create meaningful work.
As Amelia notes in the interview, that support is not abstract - it’s real, practical and deeply felt.
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