Scott Hutchison

Scott Hutchison
Hutchison performing with Frightened Rabbit at SXSW in 2013
Background information
Born	Selkirk, Scotland
Genres	Indie rock, indie folk
Instrument(s)	Vocals, guitar
Years active	2003–present
Labels	Atlantic Records, Fat Cat Records
Website	frightenedrabbit.com

Scott Hutchison is a Scottish singer, songwriter, guitarist and artist. He is best known as the founding member and primary songwriter of the indie rock band Frightened Rabbit, with whom he has recorded five studio albums. Hutchison is also a member of the musical collective The Fruit Tree Foundation, and has released one solo album, under the moniker Owl John.

Hutchison studied illustration at the Glasgow School of Art, before forming Frightened Rabbit in 2003. Initially a solo project, Hutchison collaborated with his brother Grant on the band's debut album, Sing the Greys (2006), and recorded the band's critical breakthrough, The Midnight Organ Fight (2008), as a three-piece, following the collapse of a romantic relationship.

Following the album's release, the band's fanbase expanded significantly and a third studio album, The Winter of Mixed Drinks, was released in 2010. Signing to Atlantic Records, the band released its fourth studio album, Pedestrian Verse, in 2013. The following year, Hutchison recorded a solo album under the name, Owl John. In 2016, the band released its fifth studio album, Painting of a Panic Attack.

Hutchison creates the artwork for each Frightened Rabbit release.

Biography

Childhood and early life

Described by his mother as a shy child, Scott Hutchison was raised in the Scottish Borders town of Selkirk, with his brother Grant. Moving to the city of Glasgow, he studied illustration at the Glasgow School of Art: "I was there for four years and I didn't particularly want to be an illustrator, so I wanted to apply the rules that I learnt to everything I do, in terms of working in a bank or writing music." Whilst living in Glasgow, Hutchison worked in specialist whisky shop in residential area of Hyndland, noting: "I began to appreciate and admire the heritage of flavour in a dram of single malt."

Initially considering himself solely a guitarist, Hutchison began singing at the age of nineteen, stating: "Up to that point I was just a guitar player. I didn't know I could sing, I had been told I couldn't." Hutchison's early songwriting influences included American artists, Ryan Adams, Wilco and Laura Cantrell, with Hutchison noting, "When I started writing songs, my references were [these] Americana acts. [...] I could associate with those stories. And you can see American folk's deep connections with Scottish folk."

Formation of Frightened Rabbit, Sing the Greys and The Midnight Organ Fight (2003–2009)

In 2003, Hutchison began performing under the name Frightened Rabbit, a name given to him by his mother to describe his once shy nature, and began recording and performing with his brother the following year. The duo recorded the band's debut album, Sing the Greys, at The Diving Bell Lounge, with producer Marcus MacKay, and released it independently on local label, Hits the Fan, in 2006 An initial run of one-thousand copies quickly sold out and the band signed to Fat Cat Records.

Joined by guitarist Billy Kennedy, the band reissued the album on their new label and began work on its follow-up, The Midnight Organ Fight (2008), with producer Peter Katis, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Influenced by the collapse of his relationship with his high school and college girlfriend Shell Jubin, the deeply personal album was released to widespread critical acclaim and increased the band's exposure significantly. Joined by fourth member Andy Monaghan, the band supported both Death Cab for Cutie and Biffy Clyro on various UK tour dates, and found the album placing highly on multiple 'end-of-year' lists.

Collaborations

The Fruit Tree Foundation

Hutchison wrote and recorded with The Fruit Tree Foundation, a collaborative project featuring Scottish indie rock and folk musicians. The resulting album, First Edition, was released in 2011. Regarding the experience, Hutchison stated: "It was really beautifully done. I thought it was such a great thing, and also personally, for me, that was my first taste of proper collaboration and it really changed my outlook on songwriting. Before, I was kind of like, ‘Yeah, I know how to write songs. I don’t need anyone’s help,’ and then, of course, you learn so much. So it changed my whole outlook, and I would love to get involved in that kind of thing again."

The Birthday Suit

Hutchison performs a guitar solo on the track, "A Bigger World", by the indie rock band The Birthday Suit, and is featured in its accompanying music video. The song was the first single to be released from the band's third studio album, A Hollow Hole of Riches (2014).

Rod Jones

In 2011, Idlewild and The Birthday Suit guitarist Rod Jones noted that he had been collaborating with Hutchison on some original folk songs: "I’ve recently been doing some stuff with Scott from Frightened Rabbit. The idea was to do a Simon and Garfunkel-style folk duo, but we spent a couple of days writing and it's already a lot weirder than that!" As of 2013, these songs have not yet been recorded or performed.

Withered Hand

Hutchison provides backing vocals on the song, "Fall Apart", from indie folk artist Withered Hand's second studio album, New Gods (2014).

Personal life

Hutchison currently lives in Scotland, having lived there previously for much of his life, along with Los Angeles, California and Hudson, New York.

Discography

Frightened Rabbit

Main article: Frightened Rabbit discography

• Sing the Greys (2006)
• The Midnight Organ Fight (2008)
• The Winter of Mixed Drinks (2010)
• Pedestrian Verse (2013)
• Painting of a Panic Attack (2016)

Owl John

• Owl John (2014)

The Fruit Tree Foundation

• First Edition (2011)

Other appearances

• "Fall Apart" – Withered Hand (2014)
• "A Bigger World" – The Birthday Suit (2013)