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 35)
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[edit]

Cowan was born in London, England, and attended the public boarding school Rugby School.

Career[edit]

In 2016 Cowan founded the fashion brand, Basic Rights.[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 in 2010, 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 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]

Cowan's contributions as a guitarist were pivotal to The Vaccines' distinct sound, combining elements of post-punk, garage rock, and indie rock. His guitar work, alongside the band's tight melodies and anthemic choruses, played a significant role in defining the band's musical identity and appeal.

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.[10]

As a songwriter, Cowan has contributed to a UK Number 1 album, Come of Age, and 5 albums in the UK top 10.[11] He has performed on the Jimmy Fallon Show in the US.[12]

Discography[edit]

Studio albums

Awards and nominations[edit]

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[edit]

Cowan sites John Lennon as an artists who has influenced his career, and Nick Cave, Paul Simonon, Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Holly as style icons.[13]

According to a 2015 article in the Boston Globe, one of Cowan's favourites memories musically is playing with the Rolling Stones in Hyde Park in London on their 40th anniversary tour.[14]

In 2019 Cowan shared one of his favourite Thai foods in an interview with New York Times.[15] In 2019 he revealed that he has never heard of the singer, Billy Eilish.[16]

References[edit]

  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. ^ Carter, Felicity. "The Vaccines Guitarist, Freddie Cowan On His Clothing Brand, Basic Rights". Forbes.
  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. ^ ""It's a recovery album" – how a trip to Mexico inspired Freddie Cowan's redemptive solo debut". Hero.
  11. ^ "VACCINES songs and albums | full Official Chart history". Official Charts.
  12. ^ "The Vaccines on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon". NBC.
  13. ^ https://www.mrporter.com/en-sg/style-council/member/freddie-cowan-9b66dba1fd9597e0
  14. ^ "The Vaccines' Freddie Cowan on five favorite memories - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com.
  15. ^ https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/24/t-magazine/freddie-cowan-recipe.html
  16. ^ 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