Vince Freeman Talks New Album, Recording And More
Words by Glenn Sargeant
Photo Credit: Supplied By Hush PR
Singer-songwriter and musician Vince Freeman will release his ‘Scars Ghosts & Glory’ on 14th June 2024. Prior to setting off on a UK Tour, he kindly chatted us to tell us more:
Your new album ‘Scars Ghosts & Glory’ is out now. How did you want to approach the making of the album?
Originally I had this romantic vision of spending a few months with a band in a rural studio and immersing myself the whole process. Thanks to my managers who feel like family to me, I didn’t end up doing that. I think I would have ended up with something great….but maybe slightly self indulgent.
Where did you record the album and who produced it?
I recorded the album at The Recording Studio, London. The producer was Gold Crush AKA Paul Visser.
Who plays on the album with you?
On the album it is just myself and Paul.
I guess you would call the album ‘In the box’.
Basically two guys in a windowless room with ALL of the toys you would ever want to play with!
Paul is possibly the most talented drum and strings producers I have ever come across. We basically recorded everything ourselves. It was incredibly intense, but that is how I wanted it.
Who is in your touring band and what do they play?
The band is a six piece. I am so excited to have these guys making sense of the album.
Leonn Meade (Drums)
Leonn is the best drummer I have ever worked with and is also the musical director of the London Community Gospel Choir and has performed with the likes of Adele, Callum Scott, Jason Derulo, and Blue.
Mahlon Rhamie (Keys)
Mahlon is the mood mechanic of the band! He has performed with James Brown, Amy Winehouse and Kelly Rowland
Si Connelly (Guitar and Vocals)
Si is an artist in his own right and one I would pay to see. He co-wrote Wont Remember Heaven from the album and agreed to come on tour with me as the bands guitarist. I couldn’t be happier.
Hugh Richardson (Bass)
Hugh is one of those guys that is just ‘Up for it!’ He also has been blessed with an exceptional talent for groove and melody. After finishing a 4 year tour with the west end ‘Bat Out of Hell’ show I played some of the early demos to him at a wedding gig! He has been on the train ever since.
Pete Luhanga (Percussion and Vocals)
I am not sure Pete knows how good he is! We have done hundreds of gigs together over the past few years, but he still gets nervous. Pete for me is the difference between heat and fire!
Who are some of your musical influences?
I’ve been asked this a lot. I feel like I just love anything that is honest. Recently I have got really into The IDLES. They are about are far away from my comfort zone as you can get, but they are deeply honest, brutal and for that reason it makes me feel! My history of influences I would put into categories of inspiration…
Melody Tracy Chapman, Elton John
Story Telling Billy Joel, Ryan Adams, Billie Eilish
Live performance Bruce Springsteen, The Killers, Kings of Leon, Queen
Genius Jeff Buckley, Michael Jackson, Raye
Feel Sigur Ros, Ladysmith Black Mambosa,
Groove
You are given the opportunity to write the score for a film adaptation of a novel that you enjoy. Which novel is it and why?
I would love to write the music for the book ‘Winning Ugly’ by Brad Gilbert. Why? Because Brad was responsible for one of the greatest, (in my opinion) sporting come backs in history. He took Andre Agassi from a player that had sunk to almost out of the world rankings to the world number one tennis player for over 2 and a half years. Its a story that resonates with me and I would love to write the music for a classic ‘Don’t tell me what I can’t do’ story.
In addition to the music, you also launched your own mobile coffee business called Coffee Rocks. When did you get the idea for that, the name and what is your favourite beverage that you sell?
Well, I was brought up to go and get the things you don’t have. Not to rely on other people to provide for you. The pandemic along with so many others in entertainment and the arts just floored me. I had to do something.
I was in a park with my wife and kids one day and realised that mobile coffee businesses had been able to be open throughout all of the lockdowns. So thats how I came up with the idea.
The best beverage I sold was designed by my daughter Faith. I asked her to tell me what should be in the BEST HOT CHOCOLATE EVER. She, later that day presented me with a list of ingredients (including a flake!). That went into making the ‘Hot Rockin Choc’
Your voice also features on Global club hit with Lost Frequencies ‘Sun Is Shining’. How did that opportunity arise?
I met a producer at a gig in a pub doing covers many years ago. He is one of the best mix engineers in the world and he has stayed in touch with me over the years. He called me out of the blue a few years ago and said that he had the perfect song for my voice that he wanted me to sing.
I listened to it fell in love with it and recorded the vocal.
What I didnt know until nearly two years later was that it was for Lost Frequencies!! This song got me a Platinum Disc!
Do you have any favoured stage instruments, effects, pedals, microphones etc?
Yes I use a custom Faith Blood Moon guitar and I love it!! I also use a Neumann KMS 104 stage microphone, its old now but still the best mic I have ever used live.
Where is your hometown and could you please describe it in five words?
Plymouth
Argyle
Janners
Social Clubs
Home
Pasties
Do you have any interesting, funny or memorable stories from the album recording sessions?
The best one for me was how we came up with the sound of Blame Myself. I found inspiration in the toilet, ran back into the room and announced that the song background needs to sound like time! Paul then said…..’errm what does that even mean!!’ I said ‘chalk boards,a ticking clock and a children in a playground’. He thought for a minute and said…..your mental but I like it!
Do you have any plans for live shows in Europe/UK in 2024?
I am about to hit the road right now! Through April I will be touring the UK and Germany. This summer after the album launch I will also be performing at various festivals around the UK. Just check my website vincefreeman.com for dates.
Which of your new album tracks hear you at your
a) happiest Real Love
b) angriest Blame myself
c) most reflective? Passing By
Was it a difficult album to write?
The album is literally the story of my life so in that sense it wasn’t difficult. I am however a perfectionist so it wads difficult to get each song to a place where I was happy with how they sounded.
How do you look after your voice?
I try and drink a lot of water. Thats pretty much it. If your vocal chords are lubricated then I find that for me they work with me and not against me;)
What makes Vince Freeman happy
My family, being busy and creating memories
and what makes you unhappy?
Sitting on my hands, waiting for things to happen, and bad coffee!
Feature Image Photo Credit: Supplied By Hush PR
Vince Freeman, Scars Ghosts and Glory album is out 14th June.
He tours the UK this month tickets on sale here: https://linktr.ee/VinceFreemanLive
Dates:
10/4 – Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham
11/4 – 33 Oldham Street, Manchester
12/4 – Think Tank, Newcastle
14/4 – King Tuts, Glasgow
15/4 – Yellow Arch Studios, Sheffield
16/4 – Camden Club, London
27/4 – Parabola Arts Cheltenham Centre, Cheltenham
