Triggar Happy Turns Up the Heat with ‘Johnny Cash Outlaw’
Country-rock singer-songwriter Triggar Happy is back with Johnny Cash Outlaw, a new single for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, questioned where they belong or known it was time to leave the past behind and forge their own path.
Following a run of hard-hitting releases including Zombies, Cowboy Power Rock, Sundown, I Rock ’N’ Roll and Crank It Up, Triggar continues to carve out his own lane in Aotearoa’s country-rock scene, combining working-class grit, powerful vocals and a sound that draws on country, rock and hip hop country.
He is hitting the road with a run of upcoming live shows across Aotearoa, bringing his high-energy country-rock sound to Gisborne, Leigh, Raglan and Hamilton. Catch him live at Smash Palace in Gisborne on October 17, followed by Sawmill Cafe in Leigh on December 19, The Yard in Raglan on January 16, and Last Place Bar in Hamilton on February 27.
Raised in Ōtorohanga, Triggar spent years farming sheep, beef and dairy across New Zealand and Australia while writing songs, performing in pubs and producing his own albums. In 2024, he relaunched himself as Triggar Happy, committing fully to writing, recording and performing original music.
Since then, his momentum has continued to build. His albums Talk Is Cheap and Love, Loyalty, Respect both reached #1 on the Official Top 20 Aotearoa/New Zealand Album Chart, while his single Zombies has received regular airplay on The Rock FM and featured in The Rock 2000 in 2026. His music is also gaining support across New Zealand radio, including iHeartCountry, Hauraki FM, Bayrock FM and Cruise FM.
Now, Johnny Cash Outlaw brings a different kind of story to the forefront, exploring the feeling of being an outsider and the moment when standing apart becomes a reason to back yourself rather than hold yourself back.
With its repeated refrain of feeling like a “Johnny Cash outlaw”, the track draws on the imagery of the open road, changing times and the pull of something beyond the familiar. Its lyrics follow a restless character confronting the need to move on, leave things behind and make their own way forward.
For Triggar, the message behind the song is one of self-belief and taking ownership of your future.
“Johnny Cash Outlaw is for anyone who’s ever felt like an outcast – when you realize it’s time to step up, own your calling, and go after your destiny.”
It’s a message that fits naturally with Triggar’s own journey into music. After years spent working on farms, he made the decision to pursue his creative ambitions full-time, building a growing catalogue of original music and an increasingly established live presence along the way.
A seasoned performer known for his commanding stage presence and high-energy shows, Triggar Happy brings his music to life with a five-piece band, delivering a live country-rock experience built around big vocals, grit and plenty of attitude.
With Johnny Cash Outlaw, Triggar Happy continues to follow his own direction, championing anyone ready to back themselves, embrace what makes them different and take the next step on their own terms.
Johnny Cash Outlaw is out now on all streaming platforms.
See Triggar Happy Live:
17 October @ Smash Palace, Gisborne (tickets here!)
19 December @ Sawmill Cafe, Leigh (tickets here!)
16 January @ The Yard, Raglan
27 February @ Last Place, Hamilton
