Kiwi musician Amelia Murray - better known as Fazerdaze - started with no manager, recording studio or publicist.
Now she's selling out shows overseas, and is about to join American pop-rock band HAIM on their US tour.
"It's crazy to actually watch my dreams come true, and in a way that's quiet self-empowering because I didn't have any record labels to begin with and I didn't have any management or PR or anything," she says.
The 24-year-old Wellingtonian-turned-Aucklander recorded and produced her debut album 'Morningside' from her Kingsland townhouse.
"At the time it sometimes doesn't even feel real when I'm just making these recordings in my bedroom and then to look back on that and see where it's come to is kind of validating. Because all those hours and Friday nights I spent working on stuff has actually eventuated into something… it's really exciting."
With the help of the internet and social media, Murray's gained such a following, that she's sold out shows in America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
While she's been touring a lot recently, she admits there's no place like home.
"When I go overseas and there are New Zealanders at the show, it feels like they're instant friends," says Murray. "And also the coffee's really good here - you really miss that when you go overseas!"
She's been nominated for the Taite Music Prize, awarded for New Zealand's best album.
"Just to be recognised with that tier of artists means a lot to me. I mean just being in the shortlist for it is pretty cool."
Even though 'Morningside' was only released last year, as soon as she's done with her latest North American tour, Murray says she'll be straight into writing her next album.
Newshub.
