Former Bicycle Thieves and The Silence front man. Singer songwriter Chris Lewington writes and produces all his own music. Based in Kent UK and formerly in South East London his music is timeless classic songwriting style with a 60’s 70’s feel and a modern twist.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Chris about the latest project (Starfish Memories), musical memories, dream collabs and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
What’s something you’d like readers to know about your latest project?
My new album is out. “Starfish Memories” Released August 26th 2022. It features 11 tracks that reflect the world we live in from songs about personal relationships to war in Ukraine, COVID and COP 26. Immediate hooks and singalong chorus’s combined with more intimate ballads. 60’s, 70’s and 80’s influences but also contemporary twists. Opening song “Blue Skies, Fields of Gold” could be an anthem for Ukrainian resistance. “Radio Radio” has that sort of nagging catchline you just can’t get out of your head. “The Bridge At Midnight” is coded and dense lyrically and builds to an apocalyptic cataclysm. “It’s Going To Be Okay” has been described as the “ perfect anthem as we emerge from Covid”.
How does this project compare with your other release(s)? Was there anything specific you were trying to accomplish?
My previous album “Riverside” released in 2020 was a more acoustic affair. More in the vein of a singer songwriters album. My first album “Landells Road” was more a kind of Beatlesesque collection of rock, pop and curiosities. With “Starfish Memories” I was trying to combine the best of both. There’s classic rock in there and there’s acoustic intimate songs as well. But it flows well between the different elements I think. Many of the songs are story songs. I sometimes label my music Psychedelic Folk pop but also classic songwriting with a dash of 60’s and 70’s style. If your’e looking for soundalikes there’s Jefferson Airplane, The Byrds, The Beatles, Scott Walker and The Doors to name but a few in there. Theres hints of 80s guitar jingle Lloyd Cole and REM. And theres a contemporary twist like First Aid Kit, Damien Rice, Bon Iver. There’s hints of all those in there but I don’t aim to imitate and I think what comes across is truly my own sound.
What motivates you to create music?
Simply I get a tune in my head that I can’t get out so I set about writing a song. And I have people or situations that I want to write about so I have subject matter to go with the tunes. I like the art of songwriting. When I listen to music I’m mostly listening to the song and how the writer constructed it and how they might take you on a lyrical journey or evoke a feeling, a time or place. In turn that’s what I try to recreate in my songs. I like to have various layers in my lyrics that work at the same time. So for example “Small Neck” on the album starts with trying to get into the head of Anne Boleyn as she awaits execution but equally it’s written in a way that it could also be a contemporary quiet misogynistic relationship.
What’s one of your first or most powerful music memories? Did that play any role in driving you to create?
More a book than a musical memory. My first love was not pop or rock music but movie themes and my earliest musical heroes were the likes of Ennio Morricone and John Barry then I read Hunter Davis original biog of the Beatles and thought that’s what I want to be in a band with a story you could make a film about. Later on I heard early Paul Simon. He was writing these existential lyrics all wrapped up as a cute little pop songs. That’s when the light went on. A writer like Bruce Springsteen can conjure up a character’s life story in a few song lines or Joni Mitchell can turn your expectations around with a simple understatement. It’s the power of the 3 or 4 minute song to encapsulate life, love, existence. It’s the craft of songwriting I’m looking for in music.
If you could collaborate with anyone – dead or alive, famous or unknown – who would it be and why? If it’s an indie/DIY artist, please include a link so readers can check them out.
Probably best to steer clear from working with your actual musical heroes. I would like to have William Orbit as a producer on a project. He kind of sculpts sound and he’s done some amazing productions on a diverse set of people including more acoustic singer songwriters like Beth Orton. Tim Smith of The Cardiacs would have been great to do something with. Quite obsessional in getting the right sound and recording. I met him in their early days when I did an interview with them for a fanzine I was doing and was privileged to watch him at work in the studio. I think it would be an education to co write with Taylor Swift. I’m really impressed with her Folklore and Evermore albums which we wrote with a number of other people. The songs are kind of cinematic. Story songs again and full of characters that she brings to life. And one of my favourite bands around currently are The Smoke Faeries – a brilliant guitar playing/ singing duo who mesh great songwriting with some neat riffs and great slide guitar work. Be fun to work with them on a track.
What was the last song you listened to? And who is one of your favourite all-time bands/artists?
I’ve just been listening to Driver 8 by R.E.M. because I’m learning it to do live on my Facebook “live from the comfy armchair” sessions. They were a great band combining a folky, rootsy, Americana feel with a terrific pop sensibility. The early albums Fables of the Reconstruction and Life’s Rich Pageant are probably the band at their best. A favourite artist of mine is Gene Clark whose kind of looked over nowadays. He was the main songwriter in the Byrds at the start, then left the band because of a fear of flying ( The Byrd who didn’t like to fly) and cut a number of fine solo albums culminating in No Other a fine melting pot of American music from folk, blues, jazz, musical to country and rock. Star tracks – Silver Raven and Full Circle. Great songs with timeless melodies.
Where is the best place to find you and stay connected?
My Facebook page has updated news and live performances. My web site has further info and email address to write to me. And my music is of course available on Spotify and all the streaming sites and you can buy my stuff on Bandcamp.
https://www.facebook.com/ChrisLewingtonmusic
I really appreciate Your time. Anything else before we sign off?
Well of course – just go check out my music. And let me know what you think.
