Reb Fountain has released a new single, “One Way Trip”, a heartfelt song with a stripped back analog modesty that belies the intricacy of its lyrics.
The song reads like a working class tale, written with the poetic fiction of a well-honed folk song. The lyrics speak to a single parent wrestling with the everyday, resolving to do what’s right for themselves and their kids, even when it’s tough. Fountain sings of resilience and real-life choices amidst the white noise of day-to-day hardships.
“I wrote ‘One Way Trip’ when my kids were young, as a single parent in the thick of it, trying to be the best mum I could whilst playing gigs that paid less than the babysitter cost,” the New Zealand folk singer says.
“Releasing this song now, has been a long time coming — I have tried over the years to record it but it never really felt right. This version feels really special and in keeping with the tone of the song; raw, unabashed, and real.”
“One Way Trip” was recorded in one take to analog tape at Roundhouse Studios, and produced by long time collaborator Dave Khan.
The song is accompanied by a beautiful music video, made up of camcorder footage, edited by Fountain’s daughter, Lola Fountain-Best. It shows Fountain navigating motherhood and music in a candid and committed way, providing a glimpse of her life and the intentional entanglement of her art. Watch below.
Fountain-Best describes the video as a “tribute” to her mum, or her attempt to encapsulate the journey of a woman raising children while still following her dreams.
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“My childhood memories were full of my mother playing music, and it felt important to me to look back and revisit those memories with her and my family.”
The song follows September’s release, “Silver Linings”, which reminded listeners how to care for themselves through the ups and downs.
Fountain is heading to Outfield Festival in January of next year, appearing alongside the likes of Che Fu & the Kratez, Summer Thieves, Isaac Chambers & Dub Princess, and more.
Reb Fountain’s “One Way Trip” is out now.
