Scott Hutchison Biography

Scott Hutchison (20 November 1981 - 10 May 2018) was a Scottish singer, songwriter, guitarist and artist. He was the founding member and primary songwriter of the indie rock band Frightened Rabbit, with whom he recorded five studio albums, and created the artwork for each release.

Hutchison was also a member of the musical collective The Fruit Tree Foundation, and released one solo album under the moniker Owl John. His last musical project was the indie "supergroup" Mastersystem, featuring Frightened Rabbit bandmate and brother Grant alongside members of Editors and Minor Victories.

Hutchison studied illustration at the Glasgow School of Art, before forming Frightened Rabbit in 2003. Initially a solo project, Hutchison collaborated with his brother Grant on the band's debut album, Sing the Greys (2006), and recorded the band's critical breakthrough, The Midnight Organ Fight (2008), as a three-piece, following the collapse of a romantic relationship.

Following the album's release, the band's fanbase expanded significantly and a third studio album, The Winter of Mixed Drinks, was released in 2010. Signing to Atlantic Records, the band released its fourth studio album, Pedestrian Verse, in 2013. The following year, Hutchison recorded a solo album as Owl John. In 2016, the band released its fifth studio album, Painting of a Panic Attack.

Hutchison disappeared on 9 May 2018, and his body was found the following day on the banks of the Firth of Forth.

Biography

Childhood and early life

Described by his mother as a shy child, Hutchison was raised in the Scottish Borders town of Selkirk, with his brother Grant. Moving to the city of Glasgow, he studied illustration at the Glasgow School of Art: "I was there for four years and I didn't particularly want to be an illustrator, so I wanted to apply the rules that I learnt to everything I do, in terms of working in a bank or writing music." While living in Glasgow, he worked in specialist whisky shop in residential area of Hyndland, noting: "I began to appreciate and admire the heritage of flavour in a dram of single malt."

Initially considering himself solely a guitarist, Hutchison began singing at the age of nineteen, stating: "Up to that point I was just a guitar player. I didn't know I could sing, I had been told I couldn't."

His early songwriting influences included American artists, Ryan Adams, Wilco and Laura Cantrell, with Hutchison noting, "When I started writing songs, my references were [these] Americana acts. [...] I could associate with those stories. And you can see American folk's deep connections with Scottish folk."

Formation of Frightened Rabbit, Sing the Greys and The Midnight Organ Fight (2003-2009)

In 2003, Hutchison began performing under the name Frightened Rabbit, a name given to him by his mother to describe his once shy nature, and began recording and performing with his brother the following year. The duo recorded the band's debut album, Sing the Greys, at The Diving Bell Lounge, with producer Marcus MacKay, and released it independently on local label, Hits the Fan, in 2006; the band signed soon after to Fat Cat Records.

Joined by guitarist Billy Kennedy, the band reissued the album on their new label and began work on its follow-up, The Midnight Organ Fight (2008), with producer Peter Katis, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Influenced by the collapse of his relationship with his high school and college girlfriend Shell Jubin who was a housemate on Big Brother 5, the deeply personal album was released to widespread critical acclaim and increased the band's exposure significantly.

Owl John

Owl John was a solo musical project by Hutchison, formed in 2014. Regarding Owl John and his decision to release a solo record, Hutchison noted, "It was approximately 10 years ago that I started a band called Frightened Rabbit. In that time I've dedicated so much of my life to that good wee band with a stupid name, I felt it was time to indulge Owl John."

Hutchison recorded the project's sole album, Owl John (2014), alongside his Frightened Rabbit bandmate Andy Monaghan and the band's touring guitarist Simon Liddell.

In January 2014, whilst touring in support of Frightened Rabbit's fourth studio album, Pedestrian Verse (2013), Hutchison expressed his desire to record solo material without the band, stating: "The process has to be different, otherwise I'm just going to make a Frightened Rabbit-sounding record, which I really don't want to do."

The idea for a solo album stemmed from Frightened Rabbit's label, Atlantic Records: "It was actually the idea of the label to make it rather than me. I thought we were going to get off tour and go straight back into writing another album, and the guy at the label knew things weren't really quite right. He basically was like, 'We'll pay for this record. Go away, make a record and indulge yourself.'"

The following month, work began on the album, on the Isle of Mull, with bandmate Andy Monaghan producing, alongside Simon Liddell. Released on 4 August 2014, the self-titled album debuted at number ninety-nine on the UK Albums Chart.

Collaborations

The Fruit Tree Foundation

Hutchison wrote and recorded with The Fruit Tree Foundation, a collaborative project featuring Scottish indie rock and folk musicians. The resulting album, First Edition, was released in 2011. Regarding the experience, Hutchison stated: "It was really beautifully done. I thought it was such a great thing, and also personally, for me, that was my first taste of proper collaboration and it really changed my outlook on songwriting. Before, I was kind of like, 'Yeah, I know how to write songs. I don't need anyone's help', and then, of course, you learn so much. So it changed my whole outlook, and I would love to get involved in that kind of thing again."

The Birthday Suit

Hutchison performed a guitar solo on the track, "A Bigger World", by the indie rock band The Birthday Suit, and is featured in its accompanying music video. The song was the first single to be released from the band's third studio album, A Hollow Hole of Riches (2014).

Mastersystem

See Mastersystem for more information Hutchison formed the "indie supergroup" in 2017 with his brother Grant and two other brothers, Justin and James Lockey from Editors and Minor Victories respectively. The band released one album, Dance Music, in 2018.

Disappearance and death

Hutchison was reported missing by Scottish police and the members of Frightened Rabbit on 9 May 2018. Hutchison was last seen at 1 a.m. 9 May leaving a hotel in South Queensferry. Shortly before he was last seen, Hutchison made two tweets from his Twitter account: "Be so good to everyone you love. It's not a given. I'm so annoyed that it"?s not. I didn't live by that standard and it kills me. Please, hug your loved ones", followed by "I'm away now. Thanks."

His brother and band-mate Grant, on the band's official Twitter account, urged anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact Police Scotland given his fragile state.

On 10 May, the Chief Inspector of Police Scotland reported that they were searching the area around the Forth Road Bridge for Hutchison, and were looking to contact two individuals who were spotted walking along the bridge the night he disappeared.

Police discovered a body at 8:30 p.m. in the Port Edgar region near South Queensferry, and on 11 May confirmed it was that of Hutchison; no immediate cause of death was disclosed.

Frightened Rabbit issued a statement following Hutchison's death, which read:

Several celebrities and musicians mourned Hutchison on social media on the day his body was discovered, including Stuart Murdoch, Jo Whiley, Gary Lightbody, Hayley Williams, Sarah Silverman and Jay Baruchel. Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister of Scotland, responded to Hutchison's death on Twitter, writing "Heartbreaking news. My thoughts are with Scott"?s family, friends and fans. A remarkable and much loved talent."

Discography

Listed here are Hutchison's work with Frightened Rabbit, and other collaborations.

Frightened Rabbit

• Sing the Greys (2006)
• The Midnight Organ Fight (2008)
• The Winter of Mixed Drinks (2010)
• Pedestrian Verse (2013)
• Painting of a Panic Attack (2016)

Mastersystem

• Dance Music (2018)

Owl John

• Owl John (2014)

The Fruit Tree Foundation

• First Edition (2011)

Other appearances

• "Fall Apart" - Withered Hand (2014)
• "A Bigger World" - The Birthday Suit (2013)