Freddie Cowan | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Fredrick Clayton Cowan |
Born | London, England | 6 August 1988
Genres | Indie rock, garage rock, surf rock, post punk revival, rock |
Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, fashion designer |
Instrument(s) | Guitar, vocals |
Years active | 2010–present |
Labels | Columbia, Universal Music |
Freddie Cowan (born 6 August 1988) [1] is an English musician & songwriter. He is the co-founder and the previous lead guitarist of indie rock band The Vaccines. [2] [3]
Cowan was born in London, England, and attended the public boarding school Rugby School. He grew up in a musical family. His older brother, Tom Cowan (Furse), is a member of the British band the Horrors. This musical environment influenced his early interest in pursuing a career in music. [4]
In 2010, he started his first band, the Vaccines, along with bandmates Justin Young, Árni Árnason and Pete Robertson, and gained worldwide success. Cowan was a founding member of the indie band, playing and writing on their first five albums. However, after 12 years with the group, he left The Vaccines in 2022, shortly before work began in Los Angeles on their new record, Pick-Up Full of Pink Carnations . [5] [6] [7] [8]
In 2012, Cowan announced a B-side collaboration with his brother Tom from the British band The Horrors, expressing concerns about the decline of pop music and highlighting the enduring appeal of guitar-driven tracks. [9]
During his time with The Vaccines, Cowan's guitar playing shaped the band's sound, which combines elements of post-punk, garage rock, and indie rock. [10]
In 2016, Cowan founded the fashion brand Basic Rights. [11]
Cowan's journey has been marked by moments of introspection. After departing from The Vaccines, he embarked on a solo project that reflects a period of recovery due to alcohol abuse. Cowan's solo debut, Freddie and the Scenarios, was inspired by his time in Mexico City, where he initially moved somewhat reluctantly but eventually found the environment to be spiritually healing and creatively stimulating. [12]
Cowan has spoken about the challenges of coping with sudden fame and the pressures of constant touring and recording. He has mentioned using alcohol to manage these pressures during the early years of the band's success. [13]
Following his departure from the Vaccines, Cowan formed a new band called Freddie & The Scenarios. Their debut album, Answer Machine, was released in 2023. This project allowed Cowan to experiment with different musical styles and collaborate with various artists, particularly from Mexico City's music scene. [14]
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Cowan spent time in Scotland, where he faced his personal challenges. This period of isolation and reflection led to the creation of new music for his solo project. [15]
As a songwriter, Cowan has contributed to a UK Number 1 album, Come of Age , and five albums in the UK top 10. [16] He has performed on the Jimmy Fallon Show in the US. [17]
Studio albums
Year | Organisation | Nominated work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | BBC Sound of 2011 | The Vaccines | Sound of 2011 | Third |
Sweden GAFFA Awards | Best Foreign New Act | Won | ||
MTV Awards | Brand New for 2011 | Nominated | ||
Quintessentially Awards | Best Emerging Talent | Won | ||
MOJO Awards | Best New Act | Nominated | ||
Q Awards | Best New Band | Nominated | ||
BRIT Awards | Critics' Choice | Runners-up | ||
2012 | NME Awards | Best New Band | Won | |
What Did You Expect from the Vaccines? | Best Album | Nominated | ||
XFM | The Vaccines | New Music Award | Won | |
BRIT Awards | Best New Artist | Nominated | ||
2013 | NME Awards | Best British Band | Nominated | |
Come of Age | Best Album | Nominated | ||
BRIT Awards | The Vaccines | Best Live Act | Nominated |
Cowan cites John Lennon as an artist who has influenced his career, and Nick Cave, Paul Simonon, Jimi Hendrix, and Buddy Holly as style icons. [18]
Cowan has been open about his struggles with sobriety and how it has impacted his life and music. He spent time during the COVID-19 lockdown reflecting on his life and career, which significantly influenced his solo music. [19]
In addition to his musical career, Cowan is an practitioner of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and has incorporated elements of fitness and discipline from the martial art into his daily life. [20]
According to a 2015 article in the US publication the Boston Globe , one of Cowan's favourite memories musically is playing with the Rolling Stones in Hyde Park in London on their 40th anniversary tour. [21]
In 2019, Cowan shared one of his favourite Thai foods in an interview with the New York Times . [22] In 2019, he revealed that he has never heard of the singer, Billie Eilish. [23]
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