Today we’d like to introduce you to Payson Lewis.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was born and raised outside of Philadelphia, PA. My parents split up when I was six, but both eventually remarried. I grew up the youngest of four boys: my older brother and my two older stepbrothers. Through high school, I was what I call a “floater.” A part-time jock, part-time choir nerd who was in with the cool crowd but far from “popular.”
When the time for college rolled around, music had become my full-time thing. I packed up and moved LA, and started classes at USC. While I was there, I sang with The SoCal VoCals, an a cappella group whose alumni include multi-platinum artists and songwriters like Ross Golan and Scott Hoying (Pentatonix). It was also while enrolled that my roommate, Joe, inspired me to be a songwriter. Just before graduation, Joe died. And ever since then, I’ve been working hard to make good on that inspiration and make art that I think would make him proud.
Along the way I helped a lot of other people realize their own art, acting on TV, starring in theatrical shows in Vegas and LA, and spending countless hours in recording studios and scoring stages. But finally, I got back to my music, writing my songs, and creating my own art. Last year, I released my first record, “Take Me Apart,” an eclectic and energetic six-song indie-pop collection. Now, I’m back in the studio recording my follow-up record, playing clubs around LA, and continuing to work hard to make art and make good.
Please tell us about your art.
My art is all about energy. My hope is to create music that, like energy, inspires movement; emotional and physical. I try to make music that can be both a place where you feel welcome and also your way to escape when you don’t. I hope that my lyrics are something that anyone can identify with, and the music is something that everyone can move to.
I want my music to make people feel good, to be a refuge, and to be a release.
We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
Being an artist can definitely get lonely. So much of the creative process is personal, and no one will ever work as hard on your art as you can. But I think it’s important to have a community. So, for me, I go and support my friends when they are playing club gigs, or are in a show, or just need a drink and a chat.
And while I feel like social media sometimes can make the isolation feel even more desperate, I also try to support my friends and colleagues by sharing their releases and giving them love.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
My music is out there in all the familiar places: Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, etc.
The accompanying visual art and music videos are available on Facebook and YouTube.
And keep your eyes out, and you’ll see me playing live shows around LA here and there.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.paysonlewis.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/paysonlewis
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/paysonlewismusic
Image Credit:
James Bianchi
Amber Muller
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