For New Zealand native and country music rising-star Jody Direen, social media platforms had always been a place she felt safe – an online community to call her own.

Then, in late 2019, Direen attempted to log onto her Facebook artists page to find herself locked out. Quickly after that the page had disappeared altogether.

Eight long years of interacting with and building a 14,000-strong community of friends and fans vanished in a second.

“It happened in the blink of an eye. I feel in a large way I’ve lost my ability to connect and share my music with my fans ” says Direen, who is still in the dark over who corrupted her page and why she was targeted.

“I can’t stress enough how much I’ve learnt that online security is really important.”

After three frustrating months working with Facebook and record label ABC Music to attempt to save the page, Direen made the heartbreaking decision to start over again.

Never one to turn away from a challenge, Direen is working hard to regain the community she once fostered with her new page already almost topping 2,000 followers.

By happy accident, Direen’s new single ‘My Fire’ touches on emotions that Direen herself have experienced over the last six months.

“[‘My Fire’] is all about showing strength and resilience during hard times – which we’re all experiencing right now,” Direen said.

‘My Fire’ will be released this Friday, 27^th March and Direen’s alum ‘Smokin’ Ashes’ is set to drop on July 3^rd with pre-orders available from April 27^th.

If you’d like to help Jody reclaim her community please head to www.facebook.com/jodydireenmusic/ to like and follow.