Triggar Happy releases outsider anthem

Inspired by Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison Blues, Otorohanga country rock singer Triggar Happy has just released his latest single.

Titled Johnny Cash Outlaw, Triggar said it is an anthem for, “outsiders who have the courage to follow their own path.”

The single was recorded at Bigfan studios in Morningside, Auckland. Triggar said it took a lot of planning to get the recording done as he had to wait for the OK from producer Noema Te Hau, then travel to Auckland to record.

He explained, “I had to do a six hour round trip from Otorohanga to Auckland and back, so everything had to be right.”

Backing him on the song are Te Hau on guitar, bass, drums and Arahi Whaanga on second guitar.

The song starts with a synthesized drumbeat and echo before Triggar’s vocals come in. The chorus is sung over guitar power chords driving the song on.

The song has a lyrical reference to Johnny Cash’s song Folsom Prison Blues. A song dear to Triggar’s heart, “I covered that song countless times when I did performances as Reggie Tucker.”

The single comes with a video full of cowboy symbolism, hats, denim, guns and boots which was filmed just outside in Paeroa in an undisclosed location, by a crew from Auckland University.

Director Brendon Vallender and cameraperson Konha Maley shot the video, which was edited by Mia McMillan, a project that also contributed credits to their degrees.

A driving rocker for the upcoming summer Johnny Cash Outlaw follows on from a stack of single releases this year which have included ‘Zombies, Sundown” a top 20 hit in Aotearoa and the recently released, ‘I Rock’n’roll.’

The single was released on October 16 and is available on Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube music.

Triggar said he will be releasing an album on December 4 called Kiwi Tough and will be touring through the summer.

For concert tickets click here