A shining star of the Youtube era of musical talent; Lewis Watson escaped cyberspace and entered the world of live gigging. After a string of collaborations with Gabrielle Aplin, Hudson Taylor and Kimberly Anne, LSi caught up with Lewis for a chat about Glastonbury, touring and the future…

 

Within only 2 years, you’re about to release your fifth EP, how are you feeling about ‘Some songs with some friends’? And how was it collaborating with Gabrielle Aplin, Kimberly Anne and Hudson Taylor?

Lewis: Yeah I’m feeling really good about this one, I’ve kind of always wanted to do some collaborations and this really worked out. It was really fun to be in the studio with all of them – they’re all extremely talented. We’re also covering some of my favourite songs, so yeah, I’m really anxious, but excited as well.

And is the album the next thing round the corner?

Lewis: Well, since I got signed, we’ve been recording the album. I’ve been doing it as it’s gone along, which has its good parts to it and its bad parts to it. I kind of wish I’d had a six wek block to record the album, just because in my mind that’s how traditionally people record albums – maybe we’ll have to do that on the next one. But yeah, it’s definitely on its way. I’ve been writing over the summer, so now we’ve got a tonne of new songs to stick on as well.

So do you think it’ll be early next year?

Lewis: Yeah I think… maybe May time-ish.

Can we expect any collaborations or is it going to be a Lewis marathon album?

Lewis: Mmm, I haven’t really thought about collaborations for the album. I’d love to do it, but I think… I like the expression “Lewis marathon”, I think it’ll probably be that.

Now, let’s talk about your tour – you’re playing a show in New York and LA at the end of this month before playing round the UK and bit of Europe I believe. Is this the first time you’re playing in the States and how are you feeling about it?

Lewis: No, I went to America in January/February and played a few shows, but they weren’t headline shows, just you know, jumping on the bill kind of thing. These are the first headline gigs and they sold out in, well; New York sold out in one day and LA was like one and a half days, so I’m really excited. I was super nervous about putting them up, but now that it’s happened, I really can’t wait.

This must be quite a year of firsts for you. I saw you play Glastonbury and I seem to remember you did a second performance too. How was your first Glasto experience?

Lewis: The first performance I did was good, but I think the second one was better. We were in a smaller tent called The Rabbit Hole, and I think Laura Mvula was on the Park Stage. When you walked out of the tent, you were practically at the Park Stage, but I still had a full tent which was amazing. I went out and did an unplugged thing in the middle of the crowd, and yeah it was really fun. I think I enjoyed the second one more than the first one, but I mean both of them were really good, and to be able to play at Glastonbury was just mind-blowing really.

Now if wikipedia is telling me the truth, you’re about to turn 21. Do you have any big plans for the day?

Lewis: Haha, I’ve just got the day off. I’ve just been nonstop all year really. We’ve done four tours, a tonne of writing and the festival season was hell. I mean it was great, but it was relentless. So yeah, it’s just nice to be able to chill out. I’m sure I’ll be going for a meal with my family. I might drink a little bit, maybe a couple of pints of wine.

It is actually incredible how well you’re doing at such a young age. Do you ever feel overwhelmed by being a rising acoustic star, or is it something that comes naturally to you?

Lewis: I mean since day one I’ve been completely overwhelmed with everything. When I independently released my first EP and it did so well, I just… I had no idea. I think overwhelmed is the right word. I don’t feel out of my depth now, but I wouldn’t ever admit to feeling comfortable, or kind of expect any of this to happen. Everybody who plays guitar would love to be a musician as a full time kind of thing and I just never really expected it to happen, but now that it has, it’s just great really. But still, I am very overwhelmed.

Yeah, well I remember when I was with you in Leeds that time, a girl practically had a fit when she saw you in Boots. You handled it pretty well.

Lewis: Why thank you. Haha, that was pretty weird.

Let’s hope one day you’ll be in the mix for a Mercury.

Lewis: Yeah I mean I won’t hold my breath for it haha.

And finally what you have got planned for 2014?

Lewis: I’m really excited to get the album together and get it out there. I am really nervous because I’ll never have a first album. I guess next year is going to be a step up from this year – working the album, touring the album and then hopefully festival season will be heavier and we’ll go at it a bit more. Hopefully we’ll just go forward.

Adam Nealon