Freddie Bourne - Music Interview

A native of New Jersey, Freddie Bourne found early success opening for One Tree Hill’s Tyler Hilton, Dion Roy, and Mike Schavio. He has also performed at the Special Olympic Games. Prior to finding his voice as a solo artist , he fronted bands in high-school and studied music broadcasting in college. Bourne signed with The Latest Noise Records and released “I Wrote These Songs with Heavy Vibes and a Piano.” After the release, Bourne had a top 40 hit in the Netherlands, three more EPs, and a cross country tour. Bourne's new EP The Troubled Boy at the Bonfire Disco is deep-house pop with a tribute to late 90's and early 00's pop music, which Bourne dubs as "conscious house-pop" as the music is danceable while the lyrics are relatable.

What got you into music?

I always wanted to be able to make a name for myself. I just didn't know how. I joined choirs in elementary school and just never left. The way music made me feel kept me going. When I was in the fifth grade, my choir teacher took me aside and said "Never stop with music". So, in short. Mr. Dennis Lawson.

What is your favorite part about being an artist? Is it songwriting, performing, recording, something else?) Tell us why.

I find joy in the fact that you connect with people from virtually anywhere and everywhere that may share similar experiences that I put on paper, then into the songs. Knowing that my music has helped even just one person during a tough time in their life, or brought them sublimity, that's what keeps me going.

Can you tell us what being in the recording studio is like for you?

Depends on the studio you are at! When I first started back in 2009, I was recording in a basement that was barely renovated and going back and forth to electronic stores for broken equipment and A LOT of Dunkin' Donuts and a bunch of laughs. Recently, I've moved on to being in high-tech studios, to bedroom set-ups. No matter what the physical set-up is, it's exciting. You basically get to have playtime for hours and come out of room at the end of those days knowing you made special. I say that it's feels like a job that doesn't feel like work because you love it too much.

As a songwriter or musician, are there any obstacles you have had to overcome or obstacles that you are facing right now in your career?

With the recent COVID-19 restrictions, all of my gigs for the rest of the year are either postponed indefinitely or canceled. While I have a full-time job as a teacher, working as a full-time musician helped me have more flexibility for buying product and being able to get the word out more about my new projects. But, I find comfort in this because it's making me become more familiar with how to better materialize live streams and separate myself from the competition. Plus, A LOT more time to practice.

Who do you admire most in the music scene today and why?

Brett Dennen has been an idol of mine for years in how he's never changed and has made a name for himself. He's experimented with different sounds while still continuing to be authentic and stays away from glamorizing the music industry and his art.

To date, what do you think your best song is? Can you describe the song for us?

I don't think I've achieved this yet! I believe that each project I release is always steady growth, but I haven't been at a place where I've written a song where I go "I can't top this!" I feel that this will be achieved on the last album that I ever release. When I'm 107 years old.

Are you working on any new material right now or what's in the works for the upcoming year?

I just released a new EP at the beginning of April, "The Troubled Boy at the Bonfire Disco"! It's a fun time! An alternative title probably would be Smörgåsbord Deluxe.

Tell us where fans can access your music?

Feel free to head to freddiebourne.com or head right to the Spotify page!

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