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Draft:Freddie Cowan

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Freddie Cowan
Freddie Cowan at Immergut Festival
Freddie Cowan at Immergut Festival
Background information
Birth nameFredrick Cowan
Born (1988-08-06) 6 August 1988 (age 36)
London, England
GenresRock and roll, indie rock, pop
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, fashion designer
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocals
Years active2010–present
LabelsColumbia

Freddie Cowan (born 6 August 1988)[1] is an English musician. He was previously the lead guitarist of indie rock band The Vaccines.[2][3]

Early life

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, is a member of the band The Horrors. This musical environment influenced Freddie’s early interest in pursuing a career in music.[4]

Career

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 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 work was pivotal in shaping the band's distinct sound, which combines elements of post-punk, garage rock, and indie rock. This contributed to the band's widespread acclaim and commercial success.[10]

In 2016, Cowan founded the fashion brand Basic Rights.[11]

Cowan's journey has been marked by significant changes and moments of introspection. After departing from The Vaccines, he embarked on a solo project that reflects a period of personal growth and recovery. 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. This period was a time of significant personal transformation for Cowan.[12]

Cowan has spoken candidly 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 personal challenges and achieved sobriety. 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 5 albums in the UK top 10.[16] He has performed on the Jimmy Fallon Show in the US.[17]

Discography

Main article: The Vaccines discography

Studio albums

Awards and nominations

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

Personal life

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 achieving 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 avid 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 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]

References

  1. ^ "Freddie Cowan Photos, News and Videos, Trivia and Quotes - FamousFix". FamousFix.com.
  2. ^ "Freddie Cowan reveals why he left The Vaccines". uk.style.yahoo.com. 30 March 2023.
  3. ^ Simpson, Dave (25 November 2010). "The Vaccines: 'We're doing everything right'". The Guardian.
  4. ^ Goodwyn, Tom (7 August 2012). "The Vaccines' Freddie Cowan to collaborate with Horrors' brother Tom". NME.
  5. ^ "The Vaccines singer says exit of Freddie Cowan was "a relief"". 17 January 2024.
  6. ^ "The Vaccines' Freddie Cowan steps down from band for "foreseeable future"". Radio X.
  7. ^ "The Vaccines' guitarist Freddie Cowan steps down from band for "foreseeable future"". The Line of Best Fit.
  8. ^ Lawes, Ruth (15 March 2023). "The Vaccines' lead guitarist Freddie Cowan quits indie band".
  9. ^ Goodwyn, Tom (7 August 2012). "The Vaccines' Freddie Cowan to collaborate with Horrors' brother Tom". NME.
  10. ^ "The Vaccines' guitarist Freddie Cowan on going to the next level". MusicRadar.
  11. ^ Carter, Felicity. "The Vaccines Guitarist, Freddie Cowan On His Clothing Brand, Basic Rights". Forbes.
  12. ^ ""It's a recovery album" – how a trip to Mexico inspired Freddie Cowan's redemptive solo debut". Hero.
  13. ^ "The Vaccines' Freddie Cowan steps down from band for "foreseeable future"". Radio X.
  14. ^ "The Vaccines' Freddie Cowan steps down from band for "foreseeable future"". Radio X.
  15. ^ ""It's a recovery album" – how a trip to Mexico inspired Freddie Cowan's redemptive solo debut". Hero.
  16. ^ "VACCINES songs and albums | full Official Chart history". Official Charts.
  17. ^ "The Vaccines on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon". NBC.
  18. ^ "Freddie Cowan on Mr Porter". Mr Porter.
  19. ^ ""It's a recovery album" – how a trip to Mexico inspired Freddie Cowan's redemptive solo debut". Hero.
  20. ^ "The Vaccines' Freddie Cowan steps down from band for "foreseeable future"". Radio X.
  21. ^ "The Vaccines' Freddie Cowan on five favorite memories - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com.
  22. ^ "Freddie Cowan recipe". New York Times.
  23. ^ Gillibrand, Abigail (20 May 2019). "The Vaccines' Freddie Cowan has never heard of Billie Eilish and we're shook".


Category:1988 births Category:Living people Category:People educated at Rugby School Category:English rock singers Category:21st-century English singers Category:British Musicians

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