Don’t worry about Frightened Rabbit

(Credit: Dave Gourley)

“We both have a lot of chips,” says Scott Hutchison. “And we both work hard. We both have parts that sound a little shaky, and kind of imperfect. But, you know, hopefully do the job.”

That’s what the singer of Scottish indie rockers Frightened Rabbit—named after Hutchison’s nickname in his young, shier days—says he has in common with his lone electric guitar, which he’s owned since he was 17 or so. It sounds about right. The group’s brilliantly catchy yet undeniably bittersweet pop-rock, heard recently on the acclaimed “The Midnight Organ Fight” and a new live album, “Liver! Lung! FR!,” is caked in hopeful self-deprecation. It’s something Hutchison, 26, says he’ll never shake no matter how many positive reviews he receives: “I’ve been self-deprecating for more years than I have been in a band.”

While the band’s van traveled from Glasgow to Edinburgh, Hutchison told us why he’s feeling sunnier these days and if he still considers himself worthy of the Frightened Rabbit nickname.

Most of the songs on “The Midnight Organ Fight” are about a relationship that ended. What did you learn, and what would the album have been like if not for the breakup?
It wouldn’t have existed I guess. I don’t know if I’ve learned anything. It wasn’t really about learning or even discovering things. The whole idea was to drain that part of my life and tie a knot in it, in a way that a lot of people don’t get the opportunity to do, and a lot of people don’t get to do in such a public way. It was really just my way of cauterizing that whole section of my life. I’ll make those mistakes again, I’m sure. Without that breakup there wouldn’t have been as much to write about. I’m not very good at writing about happy stuff, which makes me really worry for the next record. ‘Cause I’m kinda happy just now.

Uh-oh, what will come from that?
The next one’s going to have to be about ponies and candyfloss and rainbows. I think that’s the only material I’ve got. I really just don’t have as much misery anymore in my system to release. It could be a more positive record.

Maybe a cover of “Walkin’ on Sunshine”?
[Laughs] Oh, definitely! Absolutely. With a nice animated video. That part in “Anchorman” where they start to get animated and they ride on the imaginary cartoon ponies? That’s what it’ll be.

How much pressure does this put on new girlfriends, knowing that if the relationship doesn’t work they may have an album written about them?
[Laughs] Yeah, I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not. They may be aware of it. I haven’t spoken to my current girlfriend about it, but she’s aware that the songs that I write are almost exclusively autobiographical. So I suppose she’s expecting to be in there in some way in the next one. Maybe I’ll talk to her tonight about it. Thanks for bringing it up.

Based on what you’re feeling, she may think you’re going to buy her a pony.
I wouldn’t want to have to…how much is a pony?

Here? Well, the dollar’s not in such good shape.
Yeah, I’ll get it shipped over. I’ll buy one in America and then…I’ll just ride it over I guess. Ride it over the ocean. It will be a winged pony of course.

Of course. So, Frightened Rabbit, what scares rabbits the most?
It depends on what part of the world the rabbit’s in. Scottish rabbits don’t have that much to be afraid of. But I guess rabbits in Alaska are pretty afraid of bears. Also, [as a rabbit] I’d be pretty scared of humans too. I’m scared of humans, so rabbits must s--- themselves.

In what ways do you still feel like a frightened rabbit?
Quite often at shows, there’s a social upper hand that you have when you’re talking to someone who’s a fan of your music that I never had when I was afraid of socializing with people. Because the main topic of conversation tends to be our band and me, which is strange. But it makes the discussion and conversation starters a lot easier. If I’m meeting someone who’s just a stranger who doesn’t know who the f--- I am, then that still makes me nervous and shy, definitely. I don’t know if that will ever disappear, either.

Maybe after years of writing happy music and getting great reviews you’ll change the name to Proud Turtle.
[Laughs] Exactly. Arrogant Badger.