I meet with Freddie Long on November 15th 2019, a special date for the young musician, marking the exactly one year since his debut release “Jean”, a demo that saw his gravelly vocals capture almost a quarter of a million listeners, “Jean” would — unbeknownst to him at the time — be the single that laid the foundations of an effervescent year to follow.
Who is Jean, the mysterious muse who fused the particles of musical creation and inspiration into career-defining year for this young artist? And, as Long’s lyrics ask, where is she now? Simply put, we don’t know. Not a figure of imagination, but an emanation of a passer-by, Long explains, “I was just wandering around and I saw this woman – she just had the most amazing aura,” he laughs. “I hope she is called Jean.” Fortuity akin to Jean’s evanescent passing has seemingly peppered Long’s early career. Considering himself a “late starter to music writing,” he explains: “It was only after a drunken night and breaking my leg [that] it hit hard – what was I doing with my life?” As a Brighton resident, he admits falling victim to its “distractions,” having “got sucked into the party scene a fair bit.”
T-shirt DICKIES, jumper NANAMICA, hat NEW ERA, trousers and shoes DC, Freddie’s own jewellery
T-shirt DICKIES, jumper NANAMICA, hat NEW ERA, trousers and shoes DC, Freddie’s own jewellery
With his focus now firmly set on his music, evident in the creative excitement
that permeates our conversation, Freddie gushes when reminiscing about his feats of 2019, excitedly telling me about his “first festival experience at Sundown on the main stage, which was crazy,” and citing Brighton’s The Great Escape as “a definite highlight.” With equal effuse, he praises the team of people he works with, citing them as instrumental to any success he’s achieved: “to have people around me who are just great people makes everything a lot easier.” Such praise isn’t only reserved for colleagues however, Long also keen to shout out some contemporary artists. “I mean, Arlo Parks is killing it!” he exclaims, also enthusing about local Brighton band Drusilla, who he describes as “super low key, but so great.” Among the compliments, Freddie’s musical versatility peers through, and it is clear that he is a true music fan, drawing the eclecticism of his own sound from those whom he listens to.
Naturally, we close on the subject of the future. In 2020, Long is set to tantalise eardrums with “a lot more releases” and “more shows,” as he lets on, teasing a smile. “[I’m] super excited to share this bunch of music […] Hopefully this time [next year], it’s the night before our show at Earth.” We might not be so sure of Jean’s whereabouts, but Freddie Long is certainly sure of his.
Hat NEW ERA, jacket NANAMICA, trousers AMI, t-shirt DC, Freddie’s own jewellery
Hat NEW ERA, jacket NANAMICA, trousers AMI, t-shirt DC, Freddie’s own jewellery
Hoodie ASOS, coat JOHN LAWRENCE SULLIVAN, trousers NO ACCESS, shoes DC
Hoodie ASOS, coat JOHN LAWRENCE SULLIVAN, trousers NO ACCESS, shoes DC
Photography
Alma Rosaz
Fashion
Phoebe Butterworth
Words
Jessica Lamb
Grooming
Kristopher Smith at David Artists using Mac Cosmetics