Exclusives
Our Exclusive Chat With FREEMAN
London-based singer/songwriter, Charlie Freeman, better known as FREEMAN, just announced his new single, “London Nights” ahead of his sophomore album, Love, due out this summer.
What is the story behind your latest single?
The goal with London Nights was to smash out a big city riff and marry it with a catchy sing along chorus. Lyrically I wanted to capture the irony of the big city, a metropolis literally packed full of people, that can nevertheless remain one of loneliest places in the world. Meeting someone special in amongst the madness and the crowds can be tough. We’re all looking for that special connection. This song is about loneliness being replaced by joy; about a bad, mad world becoming much more forgiving upon making a special connection. A true friend. A true love. A song about overcoming fear and letting in the love
When did you realize music was your calling?
I came to the guitar fairly late. Before I just collected records and listened, listened, listened. I walked past a charity shop one day and a guitar in the window just called to me. I taught myself and then started writing songs. My dad got very ill at this time and strumming and writing on the guitar was my solace. That’s when I realised how important it was to me and how much I totally loved the time spent writing and hanging out with the guitar.
How would you best describe your sound?
Start with 70’s retro vibes, add a good slug of 90’s britpop and season with Americana. Earthy, truthful and heartfelt.
What do you hope listeners take away from your music?
I hope they feel touched on a deep level and that the melodies get stuck in their heads ! I hope they will feel the truth and heart in the music.
Who are your dream collaborators?
I love working with the current team. Jamie Brown and I write together and he produces too – he’s destined for big things. Conor Mangan on guitar and Steve Wattis on drums are just genius musicians. We are great mates too and have a blast. Re a collab, id love to work with Damon Albarn. He’s super creative and diverse and I’ve got aspirations to make very different types of records over the years under different names.
Is there a possibility to perform your new music live?
For sure ! We got loads of gigs and tours planned and for me, playing live is what it’s all about. Just love everything about it
What are some albums that really shaped you as an artist?
Let me name a few of the albums that gripped me over the years. Cat Stevens : Tea for The Tillerman, David Bowie : Hunky Dory, The Stones : Goats Head Soup, Let It Bleed, Beggars Banquet, Sticky Fingers , Bob Marley : Survival, Exodus etc, Counting Crows : August and Everything after , Ocean Colour Scene : Moseley Shoals, Kings of Convenience : Quiet is the new loud, Riot on an empty street, Declaration of Dependence, Violent Femmes : Violent Femmes
What are some of your contenders for best song of 2019?
Black Keys, Catfish, cage the elephant are all knocking out great tunes. Love Blossoms. Vampire Weekend ‘This Life’ is a tune. They are brilliant.
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