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Song You Need to Know: Jason Parker, ‘Happy Days’

The New Zealand artist is closer than ever to reaching his self-proclaimed ‘Popstar Fantasy’, with just one more song to go before his ‘Fairy Bread’ EP

Jason Parker

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New Zealand popstar Jason Parker glistens among the darkness in his autobiographical single, “Happy Days”.

Following tracks like the boy-crazy “Every Goddam Minute”, streaming hit “Crash”, and the emotional “The Bright Side”, Parker shared the fifth taste of his forthcoming Fairy Bread EP last week. 

The title words, “Happy Days”, echoed in his head during difficult times. The term came from his younger brother Jake when they embarked on a walk together, Parker revealed.

As his brother’s enduring optimism brought hope to Parker’s life, the singer-songwriter paid it forward with his new single.

“My  youngest  brother  Jake  is  the  most  positive  person  in  the  world.  He’s  always  smiling  and  saying  ‘happy  days’  when  we’re  together,  and  I  was  really  missing  him  when  I  wrote  this  song,” Parker wrote on Instagram

Navigating moving to Auckland from Hawke’s Bay, healing from an old relationship, and starting  a new  job, Parker clung to this positive outlook to get him through some not-so-happy days.

“I’d say this song means so much to me and I listened to it on repeat when I needed reminding that I am loved and I’m not alone. I hope it connects with others the same way it’s connected with me,” Parker added.

Parker worked with producer maude on the track, and the pair found the perfect creative partnership thanks to having “no ego, only ideas and laughter.”

Despite injuring his collarbone this year, Parker continues to work on his music and even co-headlined at Ponsonby Social Club with his Bigpop labelmate Isla Noon. More recently, her performed Palmy Drag Fest, where his brother was seen joyously dancing with Parker in a video.

Following the release of “Happy Days”, Parker is now closer than ever to reaching his self-proclaimed ‘Popstar Fantasy’, with just one more song to go before Fairy Bread arrives. 

Explaining the concept behind the EP, Parker shared, “The idea of Fairy Bread really is about taking something and making it better. For example, plain white bread and adding sprinkles, and that is what Fairy Bread is. Coming from darkness into light.”

Jason Parker’s “Happy Days” is out now.