Words & interview by Ed King / Video by Trapeze Film
It’s easy to compare artists, to reference the more established when introducing the new blood. And you could be called a lot worse than some of the names in front of ‘Rhys Lewis’ on this press release.
But ‘Rhys Lewis‘ is Rhys Lewis, and whilst his blend of soul/pop has found a respectable fixture in recent commercial charts (think the capital of Hungary) it’s now arguably his time to shine through.
Signing to Decca Records, the guardians of a pretty fundamental portfolio (from The Rolling Stones and Billie Holiday to Imelda May and The Lumineers), Rhys Lewis’s debut single smashed the No#1 spot on the Spotify Viral Charts at the end of 2016. His latest single, ‘Living in the City’, has racked up a six figure stream since its release in January this year.
Decca are pushing him too – with press tours, showcase gigs and the hard graft schedule that an emerging artist needs to work through. The adjectives on his press release are pretty impressive, as well as the proper nouns.
Rhys Lewis seems to be taking it in his stride though, with a startlingly mature approach from a younger artist, “it’s amazing to have Decca on board to help get the music out there, but you have to be working just as hard before you get signed as well as when you are signed. You don’t end up going to loads of celebrity parties… you’ve still got to work hard.”
So no Little Mix covered in blue M&Ms, but over a million views from two singles… if you’d have given me this kind of attention in my early twenties I might have been less than professional about it.
But it’s a relatively clear equation: talent + healthy precocity + single² x album (÷ festival season) = a chance at getting somewhere in this maelstrom of a music industry. And with enough tracks ‘done and dusted’ to balance this sum, I guess all that’s needed now are some greenfield stages and warm cider.
On his criss-cross journey across the UK Rhys Lewis came to see us at Birmingham Review for a cup of cranberry tea and a natter. He also played an acoustic rendition of ‘Living in the City’, which was impressively nailed considering the early morning chill and general man flu in the room.
A special thanks to the CBSO Centre for giving us a place to play, chat and drink warm liquids. To see what else is happening at the CBSO Centre, including full venue details and events programme, click here.
Check out the interview & live performance of ‘Living in the city’ from Rhys Lewis, for Birmingham Review – alongside the single’s official video. Links below:
Rhys Lewis – interview & live performance, for Birmingham Review
‘Living in the City’ (official video) – Rhys Lewis
For more on Rhys Lewis, visit www.rhyslewisofficial.com
For more from Decca Records, visit www.decca.com
For more from Trapeze Films, visit www.trapezefilm.com