Brooke Fraser, a New Zealand singer-songwriter, is 22 years old and already on her second album, ‘Albertine’. She has traveled to some of the world’s poorest countries in Africa and Asia, and her music is a testament to her desire to affect change in the world. This is what the inspirational musician told OUTinPerth about her new album as well as the places and causes that inspire her
‘Albertine’ is my second album, and it has been written over the past few years. I started writing towards the end of the last album. I recorded it in LA last summer. It’s more a graduation than a departure from the first album [‘What to do with Daylight’]. This album is a little more confronting lyrically. Over the past few years, a lot of things I’m passionate about have been confirmed and solidified, one of those being poverty and injustice. I’ve had the opportunity to travel to Africa and developing countries and that has inspired me to explore my role.
‘On my first trip to Rwanda, I went there and questioned how I could help people, if I should get out of my contract and move there and work in an orphanage or go back to uni to study development. Then, I discovered I was in exactly the right place singing. What I’ve been entrusted with is a gift for other people. I have to keep doing this [singing] not for myself, but because other people are affected by this. So, I work first through the music and then through the platform it gives me.
‘On my last day in Rwanda, I was introduced to an orphan called Albertine. Before I was introduced to her, I was told I had to go back and write a song. I left the nation knowing that I had to write a song and communicate to the western world. I’ve never been able to pump out songs, but I knew I had to write this song. So, I prayed and that was one of the easiest songs I’ve ever written. I don’t take any credit I was a happy conduit it’.
For those interested in getting involved, Brooke had this advice:
‘Think about what makes you angry. That is often a clue as to what you are supposed to be working to change. Then, do Google searches and look for organizations who are actually doing something and see how you can work with them. All of us can do something, just something. It opens up a whole new area of your heart and life. Life is so much better when it is not all about you’.
A list of aide organisations that Brooke Fraser endorses can be found on the back of her album.
