Rising through the ranks, Vince Freeman has been on a journey of ups and downs to reaching this point of success, following health difficulties and running events. Now, he’s taken his artistry into his own hands, set to release his debut album, Scars, Ghosts & Glory in March of next year, a record that promises to be an uplifting and powerful collection of songs that showcase the authentic vision of Freeman.
Alongside the announcement of the album, the singer-songwriter has shared a rousing new single in the form of “Powers”. The empowering number takes influence from gospel, with Freeman’s striking and individualistic voice raking centre stage, employing a message of positivity and resilience in his lyricism.
We premiere the accompanying visual, directed by Moss Davis, which sees Freeman in water, physically and symbolically free, as well as cuts of family intimacy and local bar profiles.
Watch the video…
Read a Q&A with Freeman…
Who and what influences you?
When I was a kid, I would have given a list of my favourite artists and it is true that those people like Ryan Adams, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, The Killers, Damien Rice have all influenced me in one way or another.
These days it’s everything; the good, the bad, the mundane and the exciting. I guess you could say life influences me.
How do you feel reflecting back on your career to date?
Honestly, for a very long time my career felt like a list of ‘nearly made it’ short stories! I’ve had opportunities taken from me and enough ‘Its good but…No’ stories to fill a book.
On balance would I change anything? Not one thing….I love that most of the time I dont know what tomorrow will bring…if the next 20 years are anything like the last 20 what a ride that’ll be.
What drove the creation of the new album?
When I started meeting with people to talk about the album I would say, “I want to make something that my children play to their little ones and say my Dad did that.”
I fell in love with music by listening to whole albums from start to finish. The truly great ones leave you with a sense that they have given a part of themselves to you through their music. That is the driving force behind Scars Ghosts & Glory…my life… a piece of it anyway in your hands.
What has the creative process been?
I am always creating in some way. Recording interesting sounds on my phone, writing snippets of conversations down, taping ideas to my wall…I had the basic concept of the Powers Video for example, before we even recorded the album version of the song.
I am very detail orientated, which can be tough for others, so I was grateful to find Paul Visser aka ‘Gold Crush’ an equally detailed and extraordinarily talented producer. On the first day of recording Paul found me between his legs on the floor recording the squeak of a pedal he was using. He looked down and just said, “Send me that!” That became a rhythm track for one of the songs!
Recording the album has been hard, but it has never been work….18 hour days aren’t tiring when you’re doing something you truly love. I cant wait for people to see the video and hear the album.
What are you conveying thematically across the LP?
The LP is called Scars, Ghosts & Glory….Its about life. Mine, yours anyone’s. Everyone picks up scars, lives with ghosts and every now and then we get to experience glory, those small wins, good deeds, heartfelt hugs and £10 lottery wins!!! Thats what Sg&Glory is about.
“We are all the same, Just trying to find a home.”
What else is to come from you?
I have always been fascinated by greatness…not fame but what it takes to achieve something truly exceptional. I just want to keep aiming for that. There is so much to come I cant wait. I will be sharing all with you in the coming months!!