EPK
Long Bio
It all began, as these things often do, with a small child and a guitar that wasn’t quite in tune. Six-year-old him, equipped with the unshakable confidence of someone who had never been wrong before (and wasn’t about to start now), pointed this out to his dad. Skeptical but curious, his father rechecked the tuning, and lo, the child was right. The next day, perhaps out of awe or a desire to channel this terrifyingly accurate ear, his dad took him to a piano lesson. From that day forward, music became his guide, his obsession, and his excuse for missing a perfectly good episode of The Simpsons
Over the years, his repertoire grew: guitar, electric bass, upright bass, banjo, and an unreasonable amount of ukulele. By 2012, he had packed his life into a metaphorical suitcase (and some real ones) and hit the road with a couple of touring bands, traveling nearly coast to coast across Canada. His mum, who had always wanted him to pursue music, was thrilled.
But life, in its infinite capacity for plot twists, had other plans. In 2016, his mum became seriously ill, and his dad needed help. So, he did what any good son and decent human would do—he left his programming career, moved home, and helped care for her. When she passed in 2017, the loss hit hard, but it also crystallized something within him. Music, always a companion, became his purpose. He threw himself into it full-time, not just as a career but as a tribute to her memory.
Despite the universe deciding to pause civilization for a global pandemic, he kept creating. Alongside his bandmates, he spent lockdown DIYing feature-length art films and award-winning soundtracks, proving that even in a crisis, you can be productive (and slightly eccentric). By the time 2023 rolled around, he was touring New Zealand, which is objectively cooler than most people’s post-pandemic plans.
Now, he’s embarking on his biggest adventure yet—launching his solo project and stepping into the spotlight with a debut EP coming in spring 2025. Bringing his own voice and songs to the forefront, his music spans heartfelt and reflective moments to vibrant, high-energy peaks. The songs are snapshots of life, telling stories of boy-meets-girl serendipity, the bittersweet journey of leaving home just to figure out where home really is, and the thrill of grabbing hold of opportunities when they come knocking. It's a deeply personal and dynamic collection that’s ready to make its mark.
Today, along with his upcoming solo launch, he’s a respected bass player in Vancouver’s many music scenes, juggling three bands, a packed teaching schedule, and the occasional existential question about who decided the direction string numbers go in. He plays in every pub, club, cabaret, song series and festival from Victoria to Ottawa and Vancouver to Whitehorse.
His mum would be rather proud of him.
Music
Short Bio
Ross Christopher Fairbairn is a musician based in Richmond, B.C. He began writing and performing in 2007, establishing himself in Vancouver’s pub and coffee shop scene. In 2012, eager to play more frequently, he joined touring bands as a bassist, hitting the road across Canada. Since then, he has toured extensively and contributed to numerous projects with local musicians. Notably, he co-produced and performed on the soundtrack for The Bar Without A Neon Sign, an art film by C.R. Avery. Created during the pandemic, the film won Best Score at the 2022 Golden Horse International Film Festival and premiered in New Zealand in 2023, where he and the team also toured.
Now, he is channeling years of experience supporting other artists—both on the road and in the studio—into his debut solo EP, set for release in spring 2025.
His artistic practice is twofold: writing and recording music, then bringing it to life on stage. Fifteen years on the road have given him a first-hand look at what it takes to craft albums and performances that resonate—in every living room, pub, club, cabaret, and festival stage from Victoria to Ottawa. This year, he is pouring everything he has learned into his EP while looking ahead to a full-length album in 2026. He is ready to take his music to as many audiences as possible.