With their high energy pop punk sound, guitarist Tim Hutchinson and singer Sharon Wilson, come together to form Freekstar. We spoke to the duo about their musical journey, their dreams, and what comes next for Freekstar.
Talk to us briefly about your history making music together. When did you start and how did Freekstar come to be?
Before I met guitarist producer Hutch, I found myself navigating the highs and lows of the UK music scene, caught in the whirlwind of a couple of bands that did okay on the indie circuit. I was signed to a label in Newcastle upon Tyne that felt more like a trap, gaining popularity in China (apparently) but never seeing a dime of success so we quit the label. Despite the shocking bullshit I went through, I took those challenges I formed another band that drew inspiration from ’90s vibes, Blink-182, the creativity of Mix Master Mike, the energy of the Beastie Boys, and the eclectic sounds of Len and the electro-grunge genre frothy hot mess. At the time we gigged with the Manic Street Preachers, Keane, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the Stranglers and quite a few London labels were sniffing around.
Deadbeat Radicals emerged but after a series of drummers leaving including Ron Roesing who used to play with the Smashing Pumpkins, the lessons learned paved the way for Freekstar. At the time Hutch wasn’t in the band and we needed a new guitarist. When Hutch strolled into the bar—a 6ft 4in European-looking surf dude—I remember thinking, “Wow, regardless of his guitar skills, he belongs in this band!” Little did I know that this moment would ignite a bond destined for greatness. We became kindred spirits, united by a dream to escape the ordinary and dance down the vibrant yellow brick road, searching for our own musical Oz.
We are dreamers, but we know we’re not the only ones haha! Over the years, we have embraced the unpredictable nature of trying to make it in the music industry managed by the My Vitriols team we used to pulling off wild promotional stunts, including a Lennon and Yoko-inspired ‘love-in’ right in the heart of a bustling street, turned down a Levi 501 advertisement and fully immersing ourselves in the vibrant London party scene, mingling with Spice Girls photographers, promoters and other celebs and nearly getting some pretty good deals.
More grassroots however, we were more interested in having integrity and making cool music that spoke to our indie niche fans, crafting music that resonates with real people and not just lurking around on the peripherals of fame. Instead, we wanted to make it for the right reasons, to make cool vibey music that would create connections with awesome fans who just loved music. To survive on the battlefield of the music industry Hutch and I had to become partners and crime and in the beginning, we spent our days living in ramshackle apartments, pouring our souls into songwriting and having to make a living through creating visual art. Writing songs 10 hours a day and initially recording them on a cheap Tascam porta studio which over time has now gone much more digi-tech, writing tons of tracks that are now going to be unleashed on the world over the next couple of years.
As for our musical message it has always been clear: be unapologetically you, embrace your unique quirks, and live fearlessly. Everyone has a beautiful story to tell, and we hope that through our music, we inspire others to find and share theirs. So let’s celebrate who we are and shine brightly, for the world needs your light!
“Bulletproof” is incredibly spirited—who are your sonic influences and what kind of sound were you hoping to achieve?
As we explored our musical journey, we embraced the sounds of indie, electronica, dance music, and grunge. Bands like Garbage, Curve, Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine, Blink-182, Nirvana, and Rage Against the Machine deepened my understanding of music and its power to heal and unite. We like dark music, but we love artists with a sense of humor. But also going back to early influences, It Bites, Led Zepplin, and Motorhead. Each note and lyric inspired me to rise above the struggles we faced, and we hope that, regardless of background, age, or location, listeners can experience a sense of liberation and freedom for 2.5 minutes while enjoying this music.
Bulletproof sounds simple on one level, but it is quite profound—a reflection on what it means to be alive and the importance of love and personal identity. We aim to take our fans on a journey of self-discovery while also encouraging a full-on mosh fest at the same time. Rock and roll, right?
The lyrics of “Bulletproof” are powerful and emotionally charged. Were there any specific experiences or themes that influenced the songwriting?
I grew up in a challenging environment where bullying was a constant shadow. As a teenager, I found solace in the pages of Kerrang! and NME, losing myself in the stories of rock stars who seemed to live in a dazzling world far removed from my own. Those iconic bands—Led Zeppelin, Kiss, Motörhead, and Rainbow—were not just music; they were a lifeline. They painted a picture of a life filled with freedom, self-expression, and resilience, igniting a spark within me. I dreamed that by joining a band, I might not only change how others saw me but also transform my reality into something vibrant and powerful.
As I journeyed through my musical explorations, I embraced the sounds of indie, electronica, dance music, and grunge. Bands like Garbage, Curve, Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine, Blink-182, and Nirvana added depth to my understanding of music and its ability to heal and unite. Each note and lyric inspired me to rise above the struggles I faced.
The song “Bulletproof” is more than just a track—it’s a powerful anthem for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider. With its fierce riffs and empowering sing-alongs, it’s designed to help us all celebrate our unique identities and to stand tall against anyone who tries to diminish us. We want listeners to feel the joy that comes from embracing who they are and finding strength in their stories. Inspired by the nostalgic essence of 90s rock and indie pop, yet influenced by contemporary sounds from bands like Sleep Token, and Chain Gang 1974, the Home Team “Bulletproof” encapsulates the spirit of unity and empowerment.
I hope that the song will bring people together to celebrate our shared experiences and create a movement where we uplift one another through the music we love. Together, we can rewrite our narratives and shine brightly, proving that we are all bulletproof in our own right.
How would you describe your visual aesthetic? In what ways do you highlight this aesthetic in the “Bulletproof”music video?
We are an indie band navigating the challenges of being on a tight budget, but instead of it holding us back, we took a wacky unconventional approach to grab attention. We didn’t want to use AI because it’s not as grassroots and it’s not warts and all or particularly relatable to normal people either. We would have liked to set up the entire band in the living room and perform live, but we would probably have gotten evicted. We figured in a world inundated with countless online posts from other bands, simply being talented isn’t enough to stand out so did something a bit quirky. The Bloodhound Gang did it with monkeys so what’s wrong with crazy bears?
Social media is now a sea with too many fish, drowning out new voices making it difficult to be heard above the noise. The bears we imagined would not only pique curiosity as you would not see who the people were but its also about not taking yourself too seriously. Instead of resorting to AI-generated ideas, we aimed to craft an experience that’s both quirky and fun—something that feels genuine and relatable.
The most challenging moment during the shoot was the fact I could not breathe in the suit. Have you ever tried jumping around in a big, fluffy costume while attempting to play guitar? The bear costume made me feel like I was suffocating. I was genuinely concerned I wouldn’t make it through the song. The heat was unbearable, and there was a point where I thought I might pass out. But once we hit record, there was no turning back—our only choice was to push through and finish the song in one continuous take. Hutch seemed to handle the situation with ease and grace, despite the costume constraints. I couldn’t help but laugh that he didn’t drop dead in the process of filming.
Through this experience doing fun characters, we discovered that embracing the absurd often leads to some of our most authentic and entertaining moments.
How do you hope the song and video resonate with listeners and viewers? What do you hope they take away from it?
We want our listeners to never feel alone. We want the music to wrap around them and make them feel safe and feel they can go wild and have fun being themselves. In the crazy mess up world of wars, we want to bring a momentary ray of sunshine into people’s lives. We want the energy of the song to kill the school bully and liberate even the most conventional soul. We want the living room performance video to make down tools and pick up an air guitar for a few precious minutes.
As artists with lots of musical experience under your belt, in what ways does “Bulletproof” showcase your evolution as artists? What makes “Bulletproof” different from music you have made in the past?
Bulletproof is different because of its catchy style that comes from the roots of grunge pop but that we think takes it further, pushing indie into the mainstream. We hope it takes the listener gently by the throat and grabs them as it is nice to share with the listener that I am a vulnerable and frightened child who has shown to also be empowered to do something special and different. In other words, if I can get up and rock, anyone can. We think the fusion of synths from Hutch’s tech influence also makes it more unique as it’s not just a guitar band.
What can fans expect from Freekstar next?
We have an extensive back catalog and will be releasing a song called Weirdo promoted by HIP VIDEO PROMO. A track for all the misfits in the world like us who we think will relate ha ha!!! Live shows are also something we are thinking about once the rest of our album is finished.
You can check out the music video for ‘Bulletproof’ below, and find out more about Freekstar and their music online on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
