Rhys Lewis (musician)

Last updated

Rhys Lewis
Born (1991-03-18) 18 March 1991 (age 33)
Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
NationalityBritish
Alma materLCCM
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Multi-instrumentalist
Years active2016–present
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano, guitar, clarinet, recorder
Labels Decca Records
Website www.rhyslewisofficial.com

Rhys Lewis (born 18 March 1991) is a British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist signed to Decca Records. [1] [2] His debut studio album Things I Chose to Remember was released in July 2020. [3] His second studio album Corner of the Sky was released on 20 January 2023. [4]

Contents

Early life

Rhys Lewis was born in Oxford to parents who were both teachers. He has two brothers; one older, Tom, and a twin, George. George is the older twin, making Rhys the youngest in his family. [5] Lewis was educated at Bartholomew School in Eynsham and first started performing in a cover band with his brother. He also worked as a 'dinner lady' at Cokethorpe School. [6] At 19, Lewis moved to London to attend the London Centre of Contemporary Music. [7] [8]

Artistry

Influences

Lewis cites Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys as his songwriting inspiration, commenting that "[Turner] was the first songwriter of my generation to make the lyrics of a song jump out at me." [9] Other influences include Led Zeppelin and Bill Withers, in particular, the latter's song "Lean On Me". [10] [11]

Musical style and songwriting

Lewis' debut album, Things I Chose to Remember, is distinctive in that it was made on analogue tape. Lewis stated his reasons for this as “[analogue tape] forces you to think clearly and in detail about every single part that goes down, and how you can make each part do the most it can”. [8] Numerous critics have commented on the soul and blues influences in his music. [12] [13] [14]

Lewis writes songs about a variety of aspects of his life. In Things I Chose to Remember, topics include the portrayal of men in the media, mental health and his own relationships. [15] Many of his songs are about heartbreak, including "When Was The Last Time", "Be Your Man" and "Hurting". He says he finds his song "No Right To Love You" difficult to perform because it also deals with a personal heartbreak. "I suppose the song is a bit of a trigger for lots of memories and emotions of the breakup … every so often it really hits me again, and the emotion of the song comes flooding back." [16]

Discography

Studio albums

TitleDetails
Things I Chose to Remember
  • Released: 10 July 2020 [3]
  • Label: Decca Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming, Vinyl
Corner of the Sky
  • Released: 20 January 2023
  • Label: Decca Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming, Vinyl

EP

TitleDetails
Bad Timing
  • Released: 23 February 2018 [17]
  • Label: Decca Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming
In Between Minds
  • Released: 26 April 2019 [18]
  • Label: Decca Records
  • Format: CD, digital download, streaming

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References

  1. ↑ White, Jack (16 February 2017). "Watch rising star Rhys Lewis' Living In The City music video: Premiere". UK Singles Chart . Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  2. ↑ "Decca Records | Shop". Decca Records . Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  3. 1 2 Things I Chose to Remember by Rhys Lewis, 10 July 2020, retrieved 21 January 2022
  4. ↑ https://music.apple.com/us/artist/rhys-lewis/640973699 (20 January 2023), Corner Of The Sky by Rhys Lewis , retrieved 29 May 2023{{citation}}: External link in |last= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ↑ Clark, Graham (18 July 2020). "Interview With Rhys Lewis". The Yorkshire Times . Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  6. ↑ Hughes, Tim (9 February 2017). "From 'dinner lady' to Decca: Oxford singer-songwriter Rhys Lewis comes home". Oxford Mail . Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  7. ↑ O'Connell, Sharon (15 November 2019). "Singer-songwriter Rhys Lewis on how vulnerability has changed him". Metro . Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  8. 1 2 Walker, Sophie (24 April 2020). "Learning to Fly". The Line of Best Fit . Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  9. ↑ "Get To Know... Rhys Lewis". DIY . 22 April 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  10. ↑ Jones, Kirsten (17 September 2017). "Singer Rhys Lewis: When I write music it's like processing a feeling". Daily Express . Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  11. ↑ Chadwick, Justin (20 October 2017). "Rhys Lewis Shares His Heart and Soul Through Song". Albumism. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  12. ↑ Newman, Charlie (11 June 2019). "Artist Profile: Rhys Lewis". F Word Magazine. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  13. ↑ Donelson, Marcy. "Rhys Lewis". AllMusic . Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  14. ↑ Dean, Beth (28 September 2017). "Rhys Lewis releases new track 'Wish I Was Sober'". IndieCentralMusic. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  15. ↑ Baillie, Katie (31 August 2017). "Singer Rhys Lewis uses his music to highlight why men should talk about mental health". Metro . Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  16. ↑ Silla, Patrick (30 June 2020). "Get To Know: Rhys Lewis". tmrw. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  17. ↑ Bad Timing - EP by Rhys Lewis, 23 February 2018, retrieved 21 January 2022
  18. ↑ In Between Minds - EP by Rhys Lewis, 26 April 2019, retrieved 21 January 2022
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