Songs From the Guitar Studio, Vol. 5

In November 2014 I began recording my debut album 'Season Of Blue', an eight track record with a band playing on each recording. I usually perform as a soloist, but the experience of performing these songs with a band has influenced me to get a band together to support me. Hence 'Scott Freeman & The Tokyo Sex Whales' was born. From November 2014 to May 2015, the line-up of the Tokyo Sex Whales consisted of Tim Vaine, Gareth Goodwin and Antosh Wojcik, you can learn more about them in the 'Tokyo Ex Whales' section. From June 2015 onwards, the band shortened down to a three-piece with Albany Down rhythm section Billy Dedman (bass) and Donna Peters (drums) filling the line-up. Check out these cool ex-whales below! Tim Vaine I met Tim around the beginning of 2011 at church. When I saw first hand how good he was at guitar, I roped him into some recording I was doing which resulted in my 'Return To You EP' (which you can hear on the music page). We spent the next couple of years recording onand off with Tim's brother Jonny, until finally I decided to take the next step and book a professional studio to lay down my debut album 'Season Of Blue'. The album, though focused around the acoustic guitar, would be lacking something without Tim's guitar work. Tim came in and took the songs to the next level, adding in smooth licks over my acoustic thrashing that brings out more colour in each of the songs. Tim was a touring member of the Tokyo Sex Whales from November 2014 to May 2015, after which he decided to return to other musical projects. Gareth Goodwin I met Gareth at a gig in Tadley on Halloween 2014, playing with his band 'Sugarman Sam & the Voodoo Men'. After watching Gareth play in the sound check, I thought to myself 'Man, that's a bassist! Wish I had him in my band!' After a week of recording the album, I played a gig in Basingstoke and grabbed a drink with Gareth afterwards. Gareth asked if I was thinking of putting a band together and needed a bassist. Truth was itwas on my list, but I hadn't put serious thought into for a while. When he offered his services I decided to jump at the chance and a week later the Tokyo Sex Whales were born. I've only known Gareth a little while, but he's such a dude and that comes across in his playing. He's one of the best bass players I've had the pleasure of working with. In May 2015 when the first incarnation of the Tokyo Sex Whales came to an end, Gareth returned to playing full time with 'Sugarman Sam & The Voodoo Men' who are doing pretty well at the moment! Antosh Wojcik Me and Antosh met in October 2010 at The University of Winchester. We were both on the Creative Writing course which is where we initially met, but we soon found ourselves in a theatre company called WinchWrites where we began collaborating creatively. Over three years we worked together, jammed together, wrote together and encouraged each other to be the best performers we could be. Antosh left Uni and went on to be a fantastic performancepoet who now performs as part of a Collective in London. When I started my live stream series 'The Basement Sessions' back in August 2014, I asked Antosh to come on and feature as my first performance poet. Needless to say we had a great laugh and after the show ended I told Antosh my plans to tour in the new year. Antosh said if I needed a drummer, I knew who to call. I didn't even have to think twice, Antosh is as great a drummer as he is a poet, dare I say his drumming is almost poetic. To be honest I am thrilled that I even had him in the band to begin with, so I wasn't surprised when Antosh wanted to return full time to his performance poetry and writing. Antosh left the Sex Whales in May 2015 to return to his other projects, but his drumming style has certainly left an impact on me and the future of the Sex Whales.