French for Rabbits – the New Zealand-based, ethereal dream-pop project helmed by singer-songwriter Brooke Singer – have shared “The Outsider,” the delicate and warm third single to be released from the group’s forthcoming album, The Overflow. The song follows on the heels of LP standouts: “Ouija Board” and the titular-track, “The Overflow.” The album is immediately and simultaneously heart wrenching, uplifting and serves as a soothing balm for dark times. The Overflow set for release on November 12, 2021 via AAA Records (NZ/AUS), A Modest Proposal (Italy) and Reckless Yes (UK, ROW), and will be available on CD, digitally and on limited edition vinyl (UK: Eco Vinyl, NZ: black vinyl and pink swirls on clear). Pre-order/pre-save the album HERE.

Recalling the origins of “The Outsider,” Brooke Singer writes: “In 2019 I visited Los Angeles for the first time to do some co-writing with a few different producers and songwriters ahead of a French for Rabbits tour – it was an exciting, dizzying experience – all the palm trees and heat. One balmy day, I had a session with Marc Orrell and Brooke Johnson and we ended up writing my favorite song on this new record – an introvert’s anthem that finds joy in the act of being alone. The song distils the feeling of being an awkward introvert at a party – staring at your phone on the edges of a crowd.”

What’s your story as an artist?

We’re nearly a decade into the French for Rabbits story now – which is rather amazing to reflect on. I’m very inspired by other bands who’ve worked together for such long periods of time like The Bats, The Innocence Mission, Beach House and Radiohead. I love the way the continue to explore their craft slowly but surely. We all live in Wellington city, but the project was originally formed as a duo in a small village, Waikuku Beach in the South Island of Aotearoa. We’ve toured all over Europe together, so we really know each other very well by now! Occasionally we’ve roped in extra people, like when we toured in the USA in 2019. We’ve spent a lot of time working on songs, travelling in cars and planes, and carrying gear in and out of venues together!

What do you want your music to communicate? 

I think we want people to be curious with our music, to see the way our songs are often not black and white…they are fragments of times, places, people and politics. There will be things that are familiar, and things that provoke deeper thinking. I hope our music communicates New Zealand to the wider world…the way it is big and wide, and also small and intimate. I also hope it makes people feel a little bit calmer. It’s slow music, meant for unravelling over time.

What are some sources of inspiration for your storytelling?

Most weekends I go for a walk at the beach or in the forest – I like to look under rocks, and shine torches through leaves to see creepy crawlies. This is embedded in the music I suspect, but mostly I am inspired by the things that make me feel sad, happy, angry, wistful, curious or helpless. I am a problem solver by nature, and I think songs are often a subconscious way to turn an idea around in the mind.

Who is an artist that you look up to more than others today?

That is a very hard question. I am very inspired by the virtuosity of both Moses Sumney and Yebba at the moment. Vocally they’re pretty wildly good. 

Patti Smith is always up there, and I think Phoebe Bridgers is awesome – so prolific and I love that she is also very supportive of new artists via Saddest Factory.

What’s the record or artist that made you realize you wanted to be an artist?

I’ve been playing and writing music since I was just a wee lass of five. So I’m not sure if there really was that turning point. I listened to the Cats soundtrack a lot then…Pat Benatar and Blondie were favourites.

Tell us about The Overflow and how it came about

This is our third album as French for Rabbits. I suppose I started writing for it back in 2018 in New Zealand but I felt especially inspired in 2019 when we visited the US for the first time to tour. I spent several weeks in LA writing with others – curious about pop production and songwriting. It really opened my eyes to who I am as a writer and how I fit with these four others who I create music with in French forRabbits. Initially I’d envisioned a quiet folk record, but with the band these songs felt right in bigger, brighter forms that are rich with Hikurangi’s percussion. I also spent a lot of time feeling anxious, and this album really is me figuring all that out – climate change, life balance and future fears.

What inspires your sound?

I always want the sounds to serve the song in an honest way. I seek out the moment when the sound resonates with the emotion of the lyrics and melody in my chest cavity. Don’t ask me how, but that is how I think about production and instrumentation. Sometimes it can take time to seek out those sounds. 

What’s your favorite tune of yours?

Perhaps ‘The Weight of Melted Snow’, but presently ‘Nothing in my Hands’ and ‘Money or the Bag’ resonate the most. It changes often.

Where are some things you really want to accomplish as an artist?

I’d love to play in some big theatres, I’d love to play with an orchestra, and a few more standing ovations, please! I’d like some of my students (I am a teacher at university) to go on to do wonderful things. I’d like to be content with my balance between creating art, and all the other things that are important in life. Something like that…

Favorite lyric you ever wrote?

Sadness steals my body, fills my bones.

A careless lark, a heavy moan.

Peter pick her up or let her go.

Her wings are but the weight of melted snow.

Was there ever a moment when you felt like giving up?

I certainly feel like giving up on the music industry from time to time. It is riddled with imcompetent men. But music, never. I love it as much now as I did when I was small.

What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?

Charlotte Yates told the students in my class to ‘stay curious’ and I agree. To be curious, is to live a positive and interesting life.

Where do you think the next game changer will be in the music industry and entertainment scene?

Gender equality and professionalism. There are too many stories of sexual abuse in this industry. We need to look towards an industry where that kind of behaviour is unacceptable, and artists should be paid what they are worth too.