GROWING UP JUST OUTSIDE OF PHILADELPHIA TO HEADING OVER TO LOS ANGELES INTRODUCING INDIE-POP ‘PAYSON LEWIS’ RELEASES HIS BRAND NEW SINGLE ‘NOTHING TO YOU’ AND TELLS US ALL ABOUT IT RIGHT HERE!

What is your name?
My name is Payson Lewis.

What is your genre of music?
I guess I’d call it Indie-Pop

Give us a little bio about you.
Well, I grew up outside of Philadelphia; youngest of 4 boys. My parents split up when I was 6 so was always back and forth between my mom’s and dad’s spot. Stayed in Philly until I was 19 then headed out to LA to do music and acting. Been doing that ever since.

What made you go into music?
I was always into music. My mom always says I wrote my first ‘song’ when I was three years old; plucking some rubber bands I had stretched to different pitches. Then growing up, I was singing in the choir and taught myself how to play piano. Music has always been there. I can’t imagine my life without it.

Are you signed?
Not yet. But what up labels? Hit me up. I’m available.

You recently released your new single ‘Nothing To You’, tell us more about the single.
‘Nothing To You’ is high energy, take back your life kind of jam. It’s mean to pump you up and make you feel good about being just who you are, on your own. The kind of son you listen to while you pregame for a night out with your crew.

What is the meaning behind the single?
Well, it’s a song about breaking free from an emotionally uneven relationship. I had been in one where all my energy was being sapped up and I felt stripped down and worn out. Even though I still cared about my girlfriend at the time, I knew I needed to get out. I knew it was more important to mean nothing to her anymore than continue giving up everything of who I was.

Describe the track in two words.
Sexy Intensity

What was the writing process like?
It was actually the first song I wrote with my friend Brooke Jenkins.  We’ve since written a bunch of songs together.  But this one was our first and it was actually the first day we met.  I walked into her apartment in Palms and like an hour and a half later we had come up with “Nothing to You.”  It just came out.  We just vibed it.

What was the recording process like?
Much like the writing process, this record came together pretty seamlessly.  My producer Ben Soldate had a killer idea for this tight little tabla groove that became the backbone of the track.  Then we called up my buddy Adam Tressler who laid down this really sexy guitar hook and we knew we had the track.


Who did you work with on the single?
This track was produced by Ben Soldate, and features Adam Tressler on Guitar, Rob Humphreys on percussion, and additional production by Melomatic.

Who did you work with on the single?
This track was produced by Ben Soldate, and features Adam Tressler on Guitar, Rob Humphreys on percussion, and additional production by Melomatic.

Will we see a music video for the track?
Oh yeah for sure.  It’ll be out in early January 2020.

Will we see an EP or album and if so what can we expect?
There are definitely more tracks coming.  Not sure when they’ll be released as an EP or an album.  But you can expect a pretty constant flow of music coming from me in 2020 and onward.  It’s my goal to release 4-6 songs a year.

Do you have any shows coming up?
Yeah for sure.  I’m playing January 15 at Madame Siam presented by We Found New Music.  And I’m working on putting together a show in early March as well.  Hopefully a lot of opportunities to see me live in 2020.

If so where will you be heading?
Right now, I’m focusing on LA.  But I’m sure there will be some other cities soon.

What else can we expect in 2019/Early 2020?
2019 is basically a wrap.  But 2020 is going to be loaded with releases, shows, videos, etc.  It’s going to be a busy year.

Do you have any collaborations coming up with any upcoming artists?
I do.  But I’m not allowed to talk about it yet.  Still hammering out some behind the scenes stuff.  But it’s coming no doubt.

Would you be up for collaborations if other musicians wanted one with you, and who would they have to contact?
Oh absolutely.  I’m always down for collabs.  Best way to get me for that kind of thing is to hit up my instagram honestly.  @paysonlewis   That way I can right away check out if we’re stylistic matches.

Do you play any instruments?
Yeah I play piano.  I’m no Mozart.  But I can play enough.

Who are your influences?
I grew up listening to a lot of classic rock.  My step-dad gave me a steady diet of The Beatles, Queen, The Who etc.  So while I’ve always leaned a bit more “Pop” the real band, real guitar, kind of vibe has always been in my bones

How do you get inspiration to write songs?
Just life really.  Stuff that happens to me.  Things I see my friends going through.  I’m definitely an observer of life and feel like we’re all in this together.  So I try and write stuff that is universally “human.”

Where do you see yourself in 5 Years?
Making music.  That’s all I really see for myself.  It’s all I’ve ever really known.

When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
Well, I’m a huge NBA fan.  I’m obsessed with my hometown Sixers.  So during the season, I watch a lot of basketball.  But I also love going to the movies, working out, I’m a pretty decent bowler.  I’m kind of a jack of all interests.

What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to get into the music scene?
I don’t know about a single song.  But when I first moved to LA, I met Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes and Blake Mills who were in a band together at the time.  And I would go and see those guys play out at like The Echo, and The Satellite.  And I just thought it was so rad, and knew that I wanted to do the same.

What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Just do you.  It’s often a struggle in the industry today to fit the “right” sound.  But I always have to remind myself that the “right” sound is “my” sound. 

What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
The same.  Just.  Do.  You.

What quote or saying do you always stick by?
Like I said, I’m a Beatles guy.  Paul McCartney is kind of like the closest thing to a god to me.  So when I heard him say this quote, it really stuck with me and it’s how I try to live my life:  “Not for ourselves alone, but for the whole world were we born.”

Where in your hometown is a must go to visit?
Honestly, I’ve been gone for so long, it’s hard to say what’s the can’t miss thing.  But, I’m a big student of history, and Philadelphia is full of it.  From independence hall to Valley Forge.  It’s not a sexy answer, but you can’t leave Philly without learning a little of our country’s history.  Oh, and I mean, obviously, you gotta get a cheesesteak…or 3.  Even though I’m a vegetarian now, I still crave them!

You’re coming off tour;
1/ Where do you go first?
A cabin in the woods
2/ Who do you see first? My girlfriend
3/What do you eat first? Ooh, before going to the woods…I go to HOPE and get the best vegan food I’ve ever had.  I dream of the stuff.

When you are at a gig, what are the 5 things you cannot forget?
My earplugs (gotta protect those ears), A shot of whiskey, To shout out my band, Thank the crowd, and give the sound guy some love.

Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Oh yeah.  Instagram is the one

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