What do Australia’s favourite Dwarf, a six foot inflatable earth ball, and 28 Days guitarist Simon Hepburn have in common? They all star in Melbourne singer-songwriter, John Trager’s quirky music video “I Don’t Wanna Wake Up!”
For indie solo artist John Trager, growing up on a small farm in rural Victoria with parents 27 years apart in age, provided him with a unique perspective on the world, highlighted in his sometimes confronting, but honest lyrical style.
He first discovered his passion for performing at the age of 10, when he started singing in country music talent quests. By his teens, inspired by the song writing of John Lennon, Kurt Cobain and Daniel Johns and Darren Hayes, Trager joined his first rock band, Tantrum.
During the next ten years, Trager fronted several Victorian bands with minor success. His desire for a life in music was fuelled by experiences of performing in front of 10,000 at Rod Laver Arena as Rock Eisteddfod Battle of the Bands State Runner-Up; touring regional Victoria as receipt of a $20,000 Arts Victoria touring grant; and appearing on ABC’s Fly TV playing to 5,000 at Moonee Valley Race Course as Push On Battle of the Bands finalist.
After overcoming severe depression 4 years ago, Trager quit his 9 to 5 job, sold his house in the country, packed up his life into a suitcase and headed for the city to chase his dreams. He quickly found work as an MC in strip clubs along King Street, but the environment created more darkness in his life as documented in the song “My Addiction To You”.
After several shifts he finally found peace in St Kilda, moving in next door to one of his teen rock idols, Simon "Hep" Hepburn “ guitarist for aussie punk rock band 28 Days. Many beers and jam sessions later, Trager buildt up the courage and played Hep his solo material. Impressed by what he heard, he encouraged the young song writer to record an EP and supported the project by appearing in the video for his debut solo single “I Don’t Wanna Wake Up!”
Recorded by talented Melbourne engineer and producer, Michael Zammit at Airwaves Recording Studio, and mastered by Grammy nominated song writer and ARIA Hall of Fame inductee, David Briggs (Little River Band) at The Production Workshop, John Trager’s 6 track EP “Pop Songs & Panic Attacks!” will be released to ITunes on Saturday, 18th of August 2012.
Featuring the infectious break up anthem “I Don’t Wanna Wake Up!”, dark rock duet “Emergency Lover”, and the deeply personal piano ballad “War” (about men’s mental health), Trager leaves no stone unturned as he documents his experiences lyrically, and explores the topic that puzzles him most… life!