FRIGHTENED RABBIT’S Scott Hutchison has never shied away from extra-curricular activity. Not only the frontman and primary songwriter of one of Scotland’s most well-loved outfits, Hutchison has been known to explore his creative interests through a number of projects such as the solo collection he launched in 2014 under the Owl John moniker. His latest outlet is Mastersystem; an intriguing supergroup which includes members from Frightened Rabbit, Editors and Minor Victories.

Fronted by Scott Hutchison himself, the new collaborative project features his brother and Frightened Rabbit drummer Grant Hutchison, Justin Lockey of Editors and James Lockey of Minor Victories. Today the four-piece have shared their first ever track alongside details of their debut album Dance Music.

A scuzzy, grungy throwback to the music of their youth, lead single ‘Notes On a Life Not Quite Lived’ draws influence from each of the members’ respective projects. Brimming with Hutchison’s poignant and evocative lyricism, the track opens in a way that is reminiscent of Frightened Rabbit before it crashes to life with an onslaught of distorted guitars and aggressive drums. It’s an exciting introduction to the outfit ahead of the release of their debut album Dance Music on 4th April via Physical Education Recordings.

Discussing the new album, Hutchison said: “I thought it would be interesting to play around with the themes of restlessness and dissatisfaction on this album, both as a counterpoint to the exuberance of the music and as an obvious reference to the angst and tension I heard in the grunge and fuzz of my teenage years. This is not the angst of a teenager, however. This is the anxiety of a man in his mid-30s, and for a lot of this record I found myself wrestling with the ways in which I am not quite doing life right, in spite of appearing to lead a relatively joyful, playful and artistic existence.”

Alongside news of the album, Mastersystem have announced a series of tour dates. They will also play Electric Fields at Drumlanrig Castle which takes place across 30th August-1st September. Check them out below.

25th April – The Deaf Institute – Manchester, UK
26th April – The Cluny – Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
27th April – The Art School – Glasgow, UK @ The Art School
28th April – Brudenell Social Club – Leeds, UK
30th April – Birmingham O2 Institute 3– Birmingham, UK
1st May – Oslo – London, UK