Start Listening To: Freddie J Watts
Freddie J Watts is a collision of Nick Cave's gothic allure, Lou Reed’s grimy romanticism, and Johnny Cash's steadfast, salt-of-the-earth wisdom.
In his debut EP, At Every Turn, Freddie steps out from the fringes with "Entwined" a track that thrums with the pulse of city life, the ache of human connection, and a wry sense of humour that suggests he’s in on the cosmic joke. It’s a song that invites you in, weaves a spell, and then leaves you questioning just how separate we really are in this sprawling modern mess. But this isn’t some self-serious monologue; there’s camp, there’s groove, and there’s a touch of that Rocky Horror flair that reminds you it’s okay to laugh at the darkness sometimes. Freddie’s world is a bizarre, vibrant place—and lucky for us, he’s more than happy to bring us along for the ride.
For those unfamiliar with your music, can you tell us who you are, where you’re from and about the music you make?
My name is Freddie, I hail from Brighton and I make psycho country cowboy rock, with some alternative folk creeping in at the edges. You could maybe say it sounds like some kind of love child between Nick Cave, Lou Reed and Johnny Cash.
Your debut EP At Every Turn is set to release soon, and ‘Entwined’ is its lead single. What does this song represent for you as you step into this new chapter of your music career?
Entwined feels like it holds a lot of the elements that inspired its creation. It’s a whole entity made up of my many composite parts – frenetic, tongue-in-cheek, camp and at times blissful. There is a kind of spell woven into the lyrics that holds me accountable to something greater than myself.
The lyrics of ‘Entwined’ delve into themes of individuality and connection in the context of modern chaos. Can you elaborate on what prompted you to explore these concepts?
My day to day experience of living in the city and witnessing how we treat each other was what initially set things off in my head. I wanted to question and explore how imaginary the sense of separation between each other really could be and whether there was the potential of another paradigm that might also exist.
You mentioned that the track invites listeners to reflect on their relationships and the duality of existence. How do you hope your audience will engage with the song’s deeper themes?
It’d be nice to think that it might open up some new avenues for people, but really I’m just happy if they feel like they get something from listening to it. There’s a video with a shorter radio edit if you want some visuals to accompany you on the journey too.
With contributions from various members of the Brighton music scene, how did collaboration influence the final sound of ‘Entwined’? Were there any standout moments in that process?
The whole record is an entirely collaborative process that has really shaped and determined what is out there for you to listen to today. Without the outrageously talented collection of musicians, artists and angels I’m lucky enough to know it’d probably still just be lurking on a voice note and scribbled down on a piece of paper somewhere. I am so utterly grateful to everyone who has been a part of the process – I think it sounds real good.
You reference artists like T-Rex and Rocky Horror as inspirations. What specific elements from their music do you strive to incorporate into your own work?
When mixing this single I was listening to Bolan’s Electric Warrior a lot, which in my humble opinion, still has one of the best sounding kicks on any record out there. Tony Visconti’s production, Bolan’s vocals, the undeniable groove and its huge sound are all elements that have heavily influenced the single. The Rocky Horror Show has certainly had its way with me too. How can you not love Tim Curry’s performance? And his style? The aesthetic, the campiness and a sense of absurdity are all things that have probably snuck their way onto the single too.
What makes a perfect song to you?
A perfect song is hard to pin down, but maybe I can give you a few examples of what a perfect song sounds like to me. Orange by Anna B Savage, Coney Island Baby by Lou Reed, Something On Your Mind by Karen Dalton and Halah by Mazzy Star are all pretty perfect. Oh that's four isn’t it…Ooops!
As a seasoned performer in Brighton’s vibrant music scene, what makes the local community special, and how has it supported your artistic journey?
The local scene is thriving, inspiring, humbling, hardworking and just so endlessly entertaining. You really do see so many artists showing up for another and welcoming newcomers into the scene, with a genuine sense of curiosity and interest in what they’re doing. I have learned so much from those around me and feel continually blessed to be a part of it.
As you prepare for your upcoming tour, what do you hope to convey to your audience during your live performances, especially with this new material?
I’d like to pull the audience into the world I’ve created and offer them an escape from what life has thrown at them so far that day. But, what do I know? Why not come along to the next show and see for yourself?
What do you love right now?
Big cups of tea.
What do you hate right now?
Media silence and arms sales.
Name an album you’re still listening to from when you were younger and why it’s still important to you?
I had this compilation of various Jimi Hendrix songs that has always been on repeat throughout the years. I can still remember listening to some of those tracks for the first time and not being able to comprehend how music could sound so cool. I don’t think that feeling has ever really left.
Looking ahead, how do you see your music evolving in the future? Are there any new directions or themes you’re excited to explore?
Things are always changing for me, I find it hard to sit still for too long or be able to name what’s working its way through me, but the next release (at least) will be following along some of the same lines. I can’t wait to get it recorded and share it with you. I think it’s a bit of a bop.
