Photo: Press
One of the most criminally underrated bands on the circuit for far too long, Frightened Rabbit have finally seen long awaited success in the last year both here and in the US. Originally the solo project of Scott Hutchinson, the Glasgow group (now a five piece) have finely tuned their sound after 10 years and four albums to become one of the most immersive and resonant indie acts on the market, offsetting driving intensity with emotional lyrical undertow alongside a constantly developing style.
February saw the release of 'Pedestrian Verse', the critically acclaimed fourth album which is already being heralded as one of the finest records of the year, whilst June 2nd will see new EP 'Late March Death March' drop.
With a busy summer ahead, along with a forthcoming tour supporting The National, we caught up with Scott Hutchinson to discuss festivals, fanboys, and signing to a major label...
Hello there Scott. Where are you in the world at the moment?
I've got a bit of time off so I'm at home in Edinburgh. I don't set off again till the middle of June so I'm spending a few weeks back here at the moment.
So we're six months into your most successful year yet, what’s been the highlight so far?
Well we played our biggest ever show at Terminal 5 in New York which was emotional, and another step ahead for us, but Barrowlands in Glasgow was amazing with family and friends all there. It's been a crazy few months with loads of great moments.
2013 has been one of the most successful years to date for Frightened Rabbit
Do you still feel signing to a major label was the right thing to do for the band?
Yeah absolutely, I think it's taken us to new places without losing what we're about. We're continuing to make music we love, but it's being taken to a larger audience. I think we'd be the first to know if we were being fed bullshit, and we haven't had to compromise anything which is really positive.
Pedestrian Verse saw your receive the best reviews of your career so far, has that put pressure on you when it comes to making the next album?
I don't tend to read any reviews but that's good! We've only just started forming the first ideas for the new record, and it's exciting really because there'll be a whole new audience of people waiting for it. I think pressure is good in a sense as long as you don’t let it overwhelm you, and it can push you forward which I like, I don't want that to go away.
Pedestrian Verse was voted the best album of 2013 (so far) by Gigwise readers
It must be easier to move into new directions if you don't read what people say about your work, which must make the process a lot more organic right?
Yeah I think a band should be able to grow naturally at their own pace, and not develop based on what other people think. I would like to think that's what we've done anyway.
I assume you haven't really had much time off since the album came out?
Yeah it's been pretty relentless. We started the tour the week when the record came out in February, so it's been non stop since then really. After this we've obviously got a summer full of festivals as well.
You've become a festival favourite for many people in the UK, and unsurprisingly you’re playing pretty much every event this summer. What festival do you feel the closest affinity with and why?
It's hard to say because there are so many different types. I mean I personally like festivals like 'End of the Road', as I would want to go there as a punter and it has a great lineup with local food and local drink. There's a lot to be said for T in The Park though, which doesn't have the boutique atmosphere or bespoke lineup, but the audiences are absolutely mental, and it's a pleasure to play for that crowd. I think there's definitely two sides to the coin, but the smaller, DIY festivals are more interesting for me.
Watch Frightened Rabbit's 2010 T In The Park set below
What is your best festival memory?
The first time we played Glastonbury was pretty special. It was one of the rare sunny years, and I had said to myself that I wasn't going to go unless I was playing. Performing at T in the park as a Scottish band is also a massive rite of passage, as I used to go there as a teenager.
So is T in the Park the closest thing to a 'home crowd' for you on the festival circuit?Yeah definitely, there are a couple of other great festivals in Scotland, but as far as crowds go they're fucking bonkers.
If you were to curate a festival yourself, who would you have on the lineup?
I'd have to have Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The National, Bright Eyes, Wilco, The Antlers, The Phantom Band, and then some Scottish bands like The Twilight Sad. I could probably curate a week-long festival to be honest.
You mentioned The National there, who you're actually supporting on tour in September. As an artist that has directly been influenced by their sound, are you nervous about hitting the road with them?
I'm gonna have to play it cool. It's not so much nerve-wracking, I just can’t be all fanboy with it whenever they speak to me. I love opening for other bands, as you kind of have nothing to lose, and you've only gotta play for 40 minutes! I can’t wait.
Hutchinson is a huge fan of The National - and will support the band on their US tour
As a fan of their work, what do you think of Trouble Will Find Me?
I love it. It's hit me quicker than any of their other records. I bought it on Monday and by the end of the day it totally grabbed me, which is weird because they usually seep in slowly. I think on this one the lyrics are less veiled and are much more direct as well.
So your new EP 'Late March Death March' is released on June 2nd, how did the collaboration with Manchester Orchestra on 'Architect' come about?
When we wrote and recorded ‘Architect’, Andy (lead singer of Manchester Orchestra) and I had only talked over text, and we actually met each other for the first time last month. We’re still in touch now and keep sending stuff back and forth, so hopefully more material will come out of that in the future.
Watch the video for 'Late March, Death March' below
The single was released for Record Store Day in the US, when it comes to putting out material for that event, how do you feel about other people profiting from Ebay etc?
The whole day is funny really, it's a good thing to remind people that record stores exist, but part of me feels that they aren't a charity. I think putting things on Ebay defeats the purpose, but the event is a positive thing I guess. It's always disheartening when a record shop goes, but the fact that people will go on that one day and not for the rest of the year seems strange to me.
Frightened Rabbit's 'Late March Death March' EP is out June 2nd on Atlantic Records
Below: Frightened Rabbit bring Scot-Rock to Leeds Met SU
