From early Guitar Hero sessions to songs inspired by real life, Trevor Dering – aka Fiji Blue – shares the stories behind his latest EP ‘Hug.’

Stream: ‘Hug’ – Fiji Blue

**Trevor Dering has come a long way since learning classic rock songs on Guitar Hero.**

As a 12-year-old armed with a plastic guitar and the determination of a kid discovering Aerosmith and AC/DC, he fell in love with music and the feelings it could evoke.

While the game taught him the mechanics, it was during long drives with his dad, Eagles blaring from the car speakers, that he discovered music’s emotional power. By his mid-teens, that feeling had a name and a sound.

“I remember my mom playing me ‘Atmosphere’ by John Mayer when I was 15 – it just hit me,” Dering says. “I fell in love with his writing, and then seeing how incredible he is on guitar felt like the best of both worlds.”

“My favorite song to play in Guitar Hero was ‘Pride and Joy’ by Stevie Ray Vaughan, who’s also one of John Mayer’s inspirations – he even has a Stevie Ray Vaughan tattoo. It’s cool when your heroes love your heroes.”

These early influences set the stage for a career defined by artistic growth and personal challenge.

Dering – also known as Fiji Blue – has long carried the label “bittersweet optimist,” though it never fully captured the complexity of his work. After honing his craft through years of songwriting and study, including time at Berklee College of Music, he developed a sound that’s heartfelt and easy to connect with.

That evolution is evident on his latest EP Hug, which is a follow-up to his 2024 debut album, Glide. Over the past few years, Dering’s life has shifted in unexpected ways. His wife, Natasha – his biggest muse – was diagnosed with brain cancer, and living with that uncertainty has certainly shaped his writing.

“Obviously, there’s been a lot of sad moments in life recently,” he says. “I want to see the hope and write happier songs, but at the same time, that’s difficult. I’ve found a sweet spot with this upcoming project. It’s the first real time I’ve sat down and put everything out there after what’s happened, in a way that feels as honest as possible.”

Songs like the title track of the EP are inspired by Natasha’s love of hugs. The song takes on deeper meaning with lyrics like, “I’m never letting go when I see you again.” Then there’s “Baby Blue,” his final release of 2025 – a lighter track intentionally timed to close a year marked by profoundly personal songs.

Running on just a few hours of sleep and an iced coffee, the LA-based indie pop singer-songwriter talks about his next project with a buzz that clearly isn’t just caffeine. Dering spoke with Atwood about the songs that shaped him, the moments that nearly broke him, and the music helping him find his way forward.

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:: stream/purchase Hug here ::

:: connect with Fiji Blue here ::

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Stream: “Hug” – Fiji Blue

A CONVERSATION WITH TREVOR DERING

Atwood Magazine: I read that you used to go on long drives with your dad and listen to classic rock. Was there a specific drive or moment that sparked your interest in music?

Trevor Dering: Yeah, definitely. My stepdad raised me, and we used to go on drives all the time. He loved the Eagles and classic rock in general. He just loved music so much, and I remember him singing all the time. There’s not one specific memory that stands out – it’s more just the collection of memories I have with him. My family wasn’t really musical otherwise, but I think that’s where my love for music started.

Were you into classic rock as a kid, or was it something you grew into?

Trevor Dering: I definitely heard a lot of it growing up, so it was always around. I also played a ton of Guitar Hero, and that was basically all classic rock. That really pulled me in. I fell in love with Aerosmith, AC/DC – I was like a 12-year-old kid with longer hair than I needed, just wanting to play rock ’n’ roll.

How did that go over at school?

Trevor Dering: Honestly, I tried to be in band and just kind of fell in love with music that way. That was really the beginning of it all for me.

Do you still play Guitar Hero?

Trevor Dering: I feel like I need to again. [laughs]

Do you still go for drives to find inspiration when you’re writing?

Trevor Dering: I do, yeah. I feel like lately I’m around music so much that it’s almost peaceful to have silence sometimes. But I’m getting back into it. I selfishly listen to my own stuff a lot to hear it from a different perspective, but when I get a moment, I’ll throw on some older stuff. Being so deep in music all the time, it quiets my overthinking.

Does that play into your songwriting? Especially in an era where algorithms and trends matter so much?

Trevor Dering: It’s hard not to think about the algorithm and chasing likes, but it changes every second. I try to make music that I love and hope other people connect with it. Even if a song doesn’t get a billion streams – if it means something to one person, that matters.

How did you go from the Eagles and Aerosmith to John Mayer, who’s another inspiration?

Trevor Dering: That’s when I first discovered songwriting. I remember my mom playing me “Atmosphere” by John Mayer. I was 15, it just hit me. I fell in love with his writing, and then seeing how incredible he is on guitar felt like the best of both worlds. My favorite song to play in Guitar Hero was “Pride and Joy” by Stevie Ray Vaughan, which is also one of John Mayer’s inspirations – he even has a tattoo of Stevie Ray Vaughan. It’s cool when your heroes love your heroes.

Your songs feel like very specific snapshots of your life. Has there ever been one that felt too personal to release, but you released it anyway?

Trevor Dering: Yeah. I have two examples. “Caterpillar” was the first song I wrote after finding out my wife had brain cancer. It took a long time before I even wanted to write again, but that song found its way naturally, and it means everything to me.

There’s another song on the upcoming album called “California.” It’s been in my mind for a long time, and it’s deeply personal – about my wife and me. I went back and forth on sharing it, but honesty matters most.

What changed that made you want to release those songs?

Trevor Dering: When everything was happening, music had to take a backseat. My focus was taking care of my wife. My life changed in every way – she’s behind the camera for my videos, my whole community loves her. It was hard deciding how much to share publicly while protecting what we went through privately. In the end, releasing those songs felt right for both of us. It felt like the right way to share.

Is there a lyric that hits differently in that song when you sing it live?

Trevor Dering: “This pain won’t last forever” on “Caterpillar.” It’s a simple message, but it means everything to me. When I sing it live, the energy in the room shifts. I slowed things down on tour and let that moment be real. It flowed into “Butterflies,” which felt like a natural transition from fear to love.

I’ve heard you described as a “bittersweet optimist.” Listening to you talk, you sound like a softie – does that label still feel accurate?

Trevor Dering: There have been a lot of sad moments recently, but there’s also hope. I want to write happier songs too – it’s just harder sometimes. This upcoming project is the first time I’ve really sat down and processed everything honestly. There’s a sweet spot I’ve found, and I’m grateful for that.

Let’s talk about “Hug.” It feels like a mix of nervousness and comfort.

Trevor Dering: That’s exactly it. It’s inspired by Natasha – she loves hugs, and that song is about wanting to stay there forever and hoping you can.

“Running Wild” is another favorite of mine. The imagery is so vivid – the horses, gardens and running wild. Is there symbolism there?

Trevor Dering: Yeah. My wife and I dream about moving to Maine – it’s our happy place. A simple life, a garden, horses. She loves horseback riding. That song is about escaping the chaos of LA and imagining a life that feels grounded. Getting knocked down, getting back up, and keeping going.

Do you leave room for hope, or do you think that’s something the listener brings themselves?

Trevor Dering: I’d like to believe they happen naturally. You build tension, sorrow, hope – and if it’s meant to come through, it will. I hope the hope finds its way through for anyone listening.

You’re ending this year with “Baby Blue,” which feels like a very intentional choice. What message were you hoping to send?

Trevor Dering: I wrote that song a couple of years ago. It felt like the furthest away from what was happening in my life, in a good way. With “Caterpillar,” “Hug,” and “Baby Blue,” I wanted some emotional distance. That song was what my heart needed at the time. It’s fun. I wanted something you could dance to – we all needed that.

What’s been one of the best moments of this year, and what are you looking forward to next year?

Trevor Dering: The best moments have been falling back in love with writing and seeing my wife get better every day. It’s not one moment – it’s a collection of small steps toward normalcy. That’s what I’m grateful for, and that’s what I hope continues.

What reignited your love for songwriting?

Trevor Dering: Time. Trial and error. There was a block of time when everything I wrote came back to my wife, and it was hard to express that. Over time, I found a way to be honest in a way that felt emotionally right. I’m still working on it, but I’m getting there.

I think a lot of women would love to have a song written about them. What does your wife think about being such a big inspiration?

Trevor Dering: She deserves it more than anyone. She’s the sweetest, always listening to my music – it’s me or Kacey Musgraves. I’m just very grateful.

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