All grown up and on her way home

It felt strange and sad that the day I was talking to Brooke Fraser in the United States about her great third album, Flags, New Zealand's flags were flying at half mast for the 29 dead Pike River miners.
Although it was 2pm on an almost freezing Chicago day, Fraser was well aware of the tragedy that had unfolded hours earlier on the South Island's West Coast.
She said her thoughts were with their families and we agreed that talking about music, and the trials and tribulations of life on the road, on a day like this sort of paled into insignificance.
But music and travelling the world are Fraser's lot at the moment. She's 12 - or is it 13 - shows into a 21-date US tour.
After this trip she reckons she'll be in top form for next year's More FM Winery Tour, which kicks off at Ascension Wine Estate, Matakana, on February 4 and 5, and the Tutukaka Marina Reserve on February 6, with Opshop and Midnight Youth.
But back to the now. Last night was Toronto so that must mean tonight is Chicago, right?
"Funnily enough, I just had to ask what day it was. When you're touring you can lose track of time a little bit. Things are going really well for me at the moment, but I'm really looking forward to coming back home and getting on the winery tour," Fraser says.
And things are going well for her indeed. She's been playing to sell-out crowds on this tour and has been shocked, but pleasantly surprised, that the audiences were singing her lyrics back to her.
"About 95 per cent of the shows (on the US tour) are sold out and it's pretty exciting, even though it's just a couple of degrees above zero at the moment.
"It's pretty amazing and I feel very fortunate that I'm able to travel around the world and play my music to people," she says.
"And to my surprise people come and listen and actually like it. It was crazy in Toronto to see people singing all the words back to me and we could do that thing where you can go quiet and just let them sing the chorus."
Fraser's writing has matured since her debut album, What To Do With Daylight, and that is illustrated by the debut single from her new album, Something In The Water.
"I think myself and my writing have matured a lot and that's come about through circumstances. I've been touring and travelling so much and getting exposed to different cultures and places and that certainly helps you mature.
"There's a fair degree of hard work that's gone into [the album], though, and I deliberately tried writing from different perspectives for this album.
"I love Joni Mitchell and Carly Simon and I wanted to see if I could approach writing from how they do it. It was a deliberate attempt to do things a bit different and I think it worked."
Her fans must think so, too, with Flags debuting at No1 here and No3 in Australia, and Something In The Water topping the singles charts on this side of the Tasman.
"I really enjoy playing this album live. The touring feels a bit more survivable than last time," Fraser says.
"Those songs [for the last tour] were very intense and personal and it's very hard to put that in every night, but playing Something In The Water every night is great.
"Songwriting is selfish and generous at the same time, and it's such a buzz if other people get it."
So by the time she gets to the Winery Tour, will she be in top form and kicking serious butt on stage?
"Yeah. I love the Winery Tour, it's become such a great institution and I can't wait. I did a brief five-show tour [in New Zealand] a little while ago and people were complaining that it wasn't long enough.
"But I knew then I would be on the winery tour but couldn't say anything, so it's good it's now out of the bag and we'll be coming to a town near everybody soon.
"People come along to the Winery Tour regardless of who's on because it's such a great event, so there's not as much pressure on you as a performer.
"So we'll be having a great time - just like all the audience will be."
Winery tour
February 4 and 5: Ascension Wine Estate, Matakana.
February 6: Tutukaka Marina Reserve.
February 11: Brunton Rd, Gisborne.
February 12 and 14: Black Barn Vineyards, Havelock North.
February 13: Alana Estate, Martinborough.
February 16: Arena Manawatu Lawns, Palmerston North.
February 17: Sentry Hill Estate, New Plymouth.
February 19: Wharepai Domain, Tauranga.
February 20: Unison Amphitheatre, Taupo.
February 22 and 23: Neudorf Vineyards, Upper Moutere.
February 25: Villa Maria Estate, Blenheim.
February 26: The Mudhouse Winery & Cafe, Waipara.
February 27: Logan Park, Dunedin.
March 1: Olssen's Garden Vineyard, Cromwell.
March 4: Mystery Creek, Hamilton.
March 5: Villa Maria Estate, Auckland.