Quick Facts
Biography
Freddie Cowan (born 6 August 1988) is an English musician and songwriter. He is the co-founder and former lead guitarist of the indie rock band The Vaccines.
Early life
Cowan was born in London, England, and attended Rugby School. He grew up in a musical family; his older brother, Tom Cowan (Furse), is a member of the British band the Horrors. This environment influenced his early interest in music.
Career
In 2010, Cowan co-founded The Vaccines with Justin Young, Árni Árnason, and Pete Robertson. He contributed to their first five albums. Cowan left the band in 2022, just before they began work on their new record, Pick-Up Full of Pink Carnations.
In 2012, Cowan collaborated with his brother Tom from the Horrors, expressing concerns about the decline of pop music and highlighting the enduring appeal of guitar-driven tracks.
Cowan's guitar playing was influential in shaping The Vaccines' sound, which combines elements of post-punk, garage rock, and indie rock.
In 2016, Cowan founded the fashion brand Basic Rights.
After leaving The Vaccines, Cowan started a solo project called Freddie and the Scenarios. His debut album, inspired by his time in Mexico City, reflects a period of recovery from alcohol abuse and was seen as spiritually and creatively stimulating.
Cowan has spoken about the challenges of coping with sudden fame and the pressures of constant touring and recording, mentioning his reliance on alcohol during the early years of the band's success.
In 2023, Cowan's new band, Freddie & The Scenarios, released their debut album, Answer Machine. This project allowed him to explore different musical styles and collaborate with various artists from Mexico City's music scene.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Cowan spent time in Scotland, which led to introspection and the creation of new music for his solo project.
As a songwriter, Cowan contributed to a UK Number 1 album, Come of Age, and five albums in the UK top 10. He has also performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in the US.
Discography
Studio albums
- What Did You Expect from the Vaccines? (2011)
- Come of Age (2012)
- English Graffiti (2015)
- Combat Sports (2018)
- Back in Love City (2021)
Awards and nominations
| 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
Cowan cites John Lennon, Nick Cave, Paul Simonon, Jimi Hendrix, and Buddy Holly as style icons.
Cowan has been open about his struggles with sobriety and its impact on his life and music. During the COVID-19 lockdown, he reflected on his life and career, significantly influencing his solo music.
In addition to his musical career, Cowan is a practitioner of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and incorporates elements of fitness and discipline from the martial art into his daily life.