Frank Turner pays tribute to Scott Hutchison on ‘A Wave Across A Bay’
"I think it does the man some small justice," Turner said of the emotional new single
By Tom Skinner
Frank Turner has released a new single called ‘A Wave Across A Bay’, which is a tribute to the late Scott Hutchison.
Hutchison, the founder of Scottish band Frightened Rabbit, died by suicide in May 2018. He was 36 years old.
Set to appear on Turner‘s ninth album ‘FTHC’, the emotional new track was given a live airing when the musician performed a set of Frightened Rabbit covers in June 2020. It has been recorded and officially released with the blessing of Grant Hutchison, Scott’s younger brother.
“I still miss my friend Scott every day. His passing left such a huge hole in so many lives,” Turner said in a statement.
“I wrote this song in his honour and memory, it was hard to write and record, but I think it does the man some small justice.”
Turner has also released a video of himself delivering an acoustic live version of ‘A Wave Across A Bay’ at The Fiddler’s Elbow in Camden, London.
Writing on Twitter, Turner told fans that the track features Death Cab For Cutie’s Jason McGerr on drums, “and he did a fine job”.
“The whole production of the song is, hopefully obviously, part of the tribute to Scott and the wider, amazing work of @FRabbits,” he added. “Did my best to find their measure.”
Fans can pre-order ‘A Wave Across A Bay’ as a special 7″ vinyl, with profits going to Tiny Changes, the mental health charity set up in Scott’s memory. The record also features Turner’s rendition of Frightened Rabbit’s ‘Modern Leper’ as the B-side.
The latest preview of ‘FTHC’ – released on February 11 – follows on from previous singles ‘The Gathering’, ‘Haven’t Been Doing So Well’, ‘Non Serviam’ and ‘Miranda’.
Back in November, Turner opened up about how the latter track was inspired by the experience of making amends with his trans parent.
He explained that his relationship with Miranda was “extremely fucking unpleasant” prior to her transition, but said a terminally ill uncle managed to negotiate a reconciliation between the pair on his deathbed.
“Immediately I felt that this was a person who was a lot more considerate. More aware of the people around them and of their impact on other people,” Turner recalled.
“Less boringly male and forthright. Miranda is a really nice person, and my dad was a prick.”