During his tour supporting Scouting For Girls, Vince Freeman checks in with Noctis on his day off. Stepping into the defining moment of his career after a decade-long journey, Freeman presents his long-awaited debut album.
Titled ‘Scars, Ghosts & Glory,’ Vince Freeman compiles tracks from his entire life’s contents page, presented as ‘a celebration of acceptance.’ Having battled with a debilitating spinal injury and the lingering feeling of not being enough, Vince Freeman overcomes being dragged down. Instead, he focuses on the light and hope of the current moment and the future.
In the recording, Freeman longed for tension that might create excitement in the music, avoiding being comfortable. The finished product of 12 tracks symbolizes Freeman’s turbulent journey portrayed in brutal honesty powered by gospel anthems and an inspiring life perspective.
Vince Freeman’s compelling vocals leave a mark, piercing right through on songs like ‘Dancing in the Rain,’ ‘Real Love,’ and the record’s focus track ‘Stardust.’ Freeman talks about his experience as a contestant on The Voice, the love that kept him going during a dark period, and his new life’s priorities.
Congratulations on the release of your debut album ‘Scars, Ghosts & Glory.’ How does it feel for it to be finally out?
It’s the album I have wanted to make my entire career, but it did at times wonder if I would ever have the opportunity to. I am so proud of it and can’t wait for people to hear it. It is a little surreal though after all this time being able to hold it in my hands!
Do you feel like this is your time, entering a new chapter of your career?
I have definitely entered a new and exciting chapter in my life. I s this my time? I guess time will be the judge of that!! In terms of the album personally I wouldn’t change a note so I feel like I have definitely reached a defining moment in my career.
From what periods of your life did you compile songs for this record?
There are songs written about my childhood, songs that I wrote when I was much younger and songs that were written or finished in the studio whist recording the album. I love that the album has been influenced by my whole life.
What was important for you when you were in the beginning stages of putting this album together?
I think the most important thing for me starting this journey was finding working and surrounding myself with people who loved the music but would also happily say ‘Vince, that’s a sh*t idea!’ I would often say to my manager that I didn’t want to feel too comfortable recording the album, because I knew that tension would create excitement in the music.
What were some mental obstacles you were able to overcome that you wanted to portray on ‘Scars, Ghosts & Glory’?
I have spent most of my adult life and in fact my childhood not feeling quite good enough. I never really fit in, even though I was able to hide behind jokes and generally being good at a lot of stuff. Somewhere in between my back injury and starting the album I came to realise that I don’t have it all figured out and thats ok!! The album I hope, is a celebration of acceptance. That we are all the same and we are enough.
In 2012, you reached the finale of The Voice. How did you find the overall experience?
2012!! Wow it feels like a lifetime ago now. I loved the overall experience, getting knocked out wasn’t great though ;). I did love it though and I’m actually still very much in touch with quite a lot of artists from that year.
What were some of the most valuable lessons and tips you received from Danny O’Donoghue?
I hope this doesn’t sound controversial but I don’t feel I learnt anything from Danny on the Voice, he was a nice guy, but for me most of the coaching was given by an incredible team of vocal coaches behind the scenes.
For six years you battled with the debilitating pain due to a spinal injury, what helped you the most during this dark period?
I was helped by so many along the way, but I don’t think I would have got through it without the love of my life Jackie. I cant imagine how hard it was propping me up but also dealing with the worst version of myself for so long. I love her so much and I don’t tell her enough.
Just as your collaboration with Lost Frequencies ‘Sun Is Shining’ was getting traction, Covid hit. We were all stuck at home and all live performances were put on pause. What do you feel looking back at this time?
COVID was horrible, scary and changed so many. It’s strange looking back at that time, because on one hand we nearly lost our home and were financially devastated as a result of Covid. On the other hand I wasn’t touring, I got to see my kids and they got to see me. We spent time as a family and I was really creative musically during that time. I would never look back at that time with fondness, but I do feel I learnt some lessons about what is actually important and it’s not money or fame!!
Do you believe in things happening for a reason?
Yes absolutely. Although I definitely haven’t figured out the reason yet!
Having such a turbulent journey, have your priorities changed at all?
Yeah for sure. I think my priorities have changed with time and age. I guess my journey has changed them as well. I am definitely less interested in ‘shiny’ things these days. Fame/celebrity and all of the things that go along with that are less and less interesting to me than they were when I was younger.
What are you manifesting for yourself and your career?
I have asked for the world to hear this album and to create a show around it that allows audiences to create memories they way I did when I bought albums and saw concerts growing up. I’m looking forward to doing that.
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Words: Karolina Kramplova