Owl John – the solo project of Frightened Rabbit‘s late frontman Scott Hutchison – is set to be reissued with a limited edition zine.
The reissue of the self-titled LP – which is Hutchison’s first and only album of his solo project – is set for release on May 2 and available for pre-order here. The new vinyl will come with a zine containing recollections from the time and unseen photos from the making of the album.
Originally released in August 2014, Owl John was a way for the late Hutchison to recuperate after a lengthy touring campaign. A press release explains that the project served as a way for him to “explore landscapes without expectation, experiment for the crack, all in a new place with a loose deadline.”
The album was released with little press and promotion, but met fondly by fans and has since gained a cult following.
Hutchison passed away in May 2018 after taking his own life following years of battling depression. In his memory, his family set up the Tiny Changes charity to fund and find inventive ideas of how to improve mental health services for young people.
During his final interview with NME, the musician was asked if he took any kind of solace or satisfaction in knowing that so many took so much comfort in relating to his words, to which he replied: “That’s the whole point in a lot of ways. Obviously the songs are quite personal, but there has to be a way in.
“So once a person talks to me and says that they not only found a way in, but lived within a song or album for a really long time, that’s fantastic to hear. It’s amazing how personal people are willing to be with how open they are to me. Because I guess my voice has been coupled with a lot of their worst times and it’s helped. So I think it’s often seen as a friend in those times.”
In 2019, the remaining band members released ‘Tiny Changes: A Celebration of Frightened Rabbit’s ‘The Midnight Organ Fight‘ which featured covers from Julien Baker, the National’s Aaron Dessner, Chvrches’ Lauren Mayberry, the Hold Steady’s Craig Finn, Benjamin Gibbard, and more.
In a four-star review of the album, NME shared: “This passion is what defined Frightened Rabbit, and it defines ‘Tiny Changes’ too. Whether it’s Death Cab For Cutie’s Ben Gibbard adding the appropriate amount of grandeur to ‘Keep Yourself Warm’ or Chvrches’ Lauren Mayberry and The National’s Aaron Dessner taking on the short-and-creepily-sweet ‘Who’d Kill You Now?’, every song taken on here is delivered with a rumbling fire in the belly.”
That same year, Coldplay sampled Owl John’s ‘Los Angeles, Be Kind’ in their song ‘Champion Of The World’ from their eighth studio album ‘Everyday Life’.
Simon Liddell, Hutchison’s Frightened Rabbit’s bandmate who also played on the Owl John project, spoke to NME about how it was “massively important” to have his late friend’s work celebrated and shared by a band like Coldplay.
“We love it. Musically and lyrically, it’s a beautiful song,” Liddell said. “Hopefully through Coldplay, more people will discover the Owl John, and the Frightened Rabbit back catalogue.
“Earlier this year, Coldplay got in touch again, having recorded a sister version of the song. The Coldplay camp have been amazing – keeping us in the loop on the tracks progress at each stage. We’re grateful to have played a part in that.”
Last year, Lowswimmer shared a moving cover of the Frightened Rabbit song ‘Head Rolls Off’ in support of the Tiny Changes charity for World Mental Health Day.
For help and advice on mental health:
- ‘Am I depressed?‘ – Help and advice on mental health and what to do next
- Help Musicians UK – Around the clock mental health support and advice for musicians
- Music Support Org – Help and support for musicians struggling with alcoholism, addiction, or mental health issues
- YOUNG MINDS – The voice for young people’s health and wellbeing
- CALM – The Campaign Against Living Miserably for young men
- Time To Change – Let’s end mental health discrimination
- The Samaritans – Confidential support 24 hours a day