LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE & APPRECIATE THE HAPPY DAYS!!!
Pop artist Jason Parker's sophomore EP 'Fairy Bread' is OUT NOW! This project captures the artist’s evolution in both life and music. Following his debut EP How To Be Lonely, this new collection of songs reflect a new chapter for Parker—a chapter of love, discovery, and finding beauty in the small, unexpected moments of life.
Written in collaboration with producer Maude Minnie Morris, ‘Fairy Bread’ emerges as a heartfelt exploration of growth, resilience, and hope, all while showcasing Parker’s distinctively sunny and optimistic musical disposition.
The EP opens with its title track, ‘Fairy Bread’, which represents the heart of Parker’s story. Inspired by the idea of transforming life’s challenges into something sweet, just like fairy bread turns plain white bread into a joyful treat, this song became an anthem for making the most of life’s simple joys. “There are always sprinkles to be added in life if you look for them,” Parker explains. “It gets better, and 'Fairy Bread' is about showing up for yourself, making the most of what you have, and believing that hope is always there.”
The EP’s second track, 'All Of You', reflects the excitement and possibility of new love. Written in the early days of Parker’s move to Auckland, the song captures the sense of anticipation and dreams that accompanied his fresh start. Parker crafted the entire song in his head during his drive up from Wellington, inspired by the hope of meeting someone special—a dream that soon became a reality.
Next comes 'Every Goddamn Minute', a deeply personal song that delves into Parker’s experience of falling in love for the first time. Full of vulnerability and sincerity, the song portrays the moment of wrestling with the weight of saying 'I love you' for the first time. 'Crash', the fourth track, marks a turning point in the EP’s narrative. Written the day after Parker’s relationship ended, it conveys the shock, guilt, and confusion that followed the breakup. The song captures the emotional aftermath of realising that a relationship you thought would last forever has come to an end. It’s a moment of reflection and processing, with Parker confronting the heartbreak head-on.
The EP then moves into The Bright Side, where Parker begins to heal and come to terms with the breakup. The song embodies the strength it takes to move on and look for the silver lining in difficult situations. The bridge cleverly pulls together lyrics from earlier tracks, including Happy Days and Crash, symbolising the emotional growth that comes with time and the journey toward closure. Finally, the EP closes with Happy Days, a song that looks ahead with optimism. As the last track, it serves as an affirmation of brighter times to come and a reminder of resilience. Parker reflects on his personal growth, having emerged stronger and more self-assured after the end of the relationship. “I knew I had to go back and finish Happy Days,” Parker says. “Now that I was out of the relationship and feeling more like myself, I could complete the song with the perspective I’d gained.”
Watch the Fairy Bread lyric video
The visuals for 'Fairy Bread' are as vivid as its message. Parker collaborated with Lane Worrall to develop playful, colorful cover art that reflects the EP’s themes of growth and joy. "When Jason first approached me with the 'Fairy Bread' concept, I started by listening to the songs and thinking about how the themes could be translated into visuals through colour," Worrall shares. Each track was paired with a dominant color, creating imagery that reflected the song’s message and vibe.
The team took a DIY, resourceful approach, often shooting in intimate, familiar spaces. “Shooting in places like driveways and bedrooms allowed us to stay low-budget while still producing magic,” Worrall explains. The use of bright, camp visuals drew on inspirations from pop art, queer high camp, and Hollywood glam, perfectly aligning with Parker’s desire for the visuals to feel “bright, camp, and fun.”
“We really created a supportive environment where everyone contributed,” Worrall adds. “Jason’s adventurous spirit made it a collaborative and exciting process, from the lighting to his Mum knitting sweaters for each look.” These vibrant visuals enhance the emotional storytelling behind each track, bringing the EP’s themes of growth and hope to life in a vivid, joyful way.
Parker also worked with Cee Blu on the lyric videos, ensuring that fans could engage with his storytelling on a deeper level. “Pop music is more than a catchy tune—it’s the soundtrack to my life,” Parker shares. “I wanted the videos to be bright, camp, and fun, so listeners could sing along with me at shows.”
Reflecting on 'Fairy Bread', Parker sees it as a milestone both in his career and personal life. “This EP will always remind me to stay hopeful and true to myself,” he says. “It captures a time in my life where I experienced love for the first time, collaborated with amazing creatives like Maude and Lane, and lived out my pop star dreams.”
With 'Fairy Bread', Jason Parker invites listeners into his world—a world where love, growth, and hope take center stage. Whether you’re experiencing first love, navigating heartbreak, or just looking for a reminder to find joy in life’s little things, this EP is for you. As Parker says, “There’s always hope. Keep making fairy bread, keep making 11:11 wishes, and never stop believing in the sprinkles that make life sweeter.”
'Fairy Bread' is out now via Aotearoa's independent music label Bigpop Records.