Frank Turner’s flair for crafting confessional yet life-affirming songs from challenging emotions has been on top form with his recent singles “Haven’t Been Doing So Well” and “Miranda.” While he has excelled at writing about his own experiences, his new single, “A Wave Across A Bay,“ is a much heavier responsibility as Turner pays tribute to his late friend Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit.
“A Wave Across A Bay“ opens with Turner singing of a final, dreamlike encounter with his old friend, which is ironic as he notes that neither of them would believe in such an occurrence “given that both of us are atheists.” Turner then paints an evocative image of Hutchison in his final moments, during which he finally finds the peace that had so cruelly eluded him. Despite the evident pain, the song finds Turner coming to terms with Hutchison’s decision with understanding and acceptance.
Turner says, “I still miss my friend Scott everyday. His passing left such a huge hole in so many lives. 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.”
“A Wave Across A Bay” is released with the blessing of Scott’s younger brother Grant. Turner first performed the song shortly after Hutchison’s death in 2020 during a set of Frightened Rabbit covers. The livestream show raised funds for the children and young people’s mental health charity Tiny Changes, which was set up by the Hutchison family to help provide every child with “the opportunity to lead happy and fulfilled lives as adults.”
Out now digitally, the single is also available to order on 7” vinyl HERE. Profits for the sale of this 7’’ will be paid to Tiny Changes. The single features Turner’s cover of the Frightened Rabbit fan favorite “Modern Leper” on the B-side, which was recorded with Hutchison during an Xtra Mile Recordings / OB1 session in May 2017.