Mellow sounding, UK singer/songwriter Lewis Watson has just released a new EP off the back of his tour, and is continuing to do festivals across the UK and Ireland.
I caught up with Lewis before he took to the stage at Indiependence Festival, Cork.
Hey Lewis! You’re here to play at Indiependence later as part of a pretty big line-up, how are you feeling about that?
It’s amazing! This whole weekend is a bit tough really- I’ve got three festivals in three days, in three different places, so it’s going to be a bit mad! But yeah, I’m really looking forward to this- I love playing proper Ireland- so now, being back and as you said, being part of this massive line-up is amazing. So yeah, I’m really excited! And it’s been a while since I played a festival really as well- I think it’s about a week, but I’ve just come off tour where I was playing every night so now I’ve got the buzz to keep playing so yeah, I can’t wait!
You’ve played Ireland quite a bit before- is it one of your favourite places to play?
Yeah, I think it’s great! The first time I played, Belfast was a bit quiet- it was a full room but they were very attentive and quiet, which was nice because I didn’t actually have the band then so I was on my own, and it felt really nice, but then I kind of felt like it was a parents meeting at school! So it kind of put me on edge. Then I went to Dublin and that was brilliant, I loved it. And then when I came back, it was when we came to Cork on the last tour and it was really loud- it was amazing! It was crazy- I was blown away by the reaction there so yeah, it’s great to be back in Cork!
You recently released a new EP, and people definitely loved it! Do you have hopes to release a full length album any time soon?
Yeah, I think there’ll be one next year. Hopefully there’ll be another EP before then.- I’m kind of pushing for it. I just love releasing EPs, I think it’s a great way to test the water, and I feel like if I followed a band or an artist, I’d be happiest if they were just releasing constant music, which I try to do. I aim to please I guess! But yeah, hopefully we’ll have another one and then the album.
Your sound is quite mellow and sometimes you play on your own, and other times with a full band. Do you have a preference or does it really depend on the venue and situation?
Both have massive pro’s. I love playing on my own because I love being really self-indulgent when I perform. That’s one of my favourite things. But then to play with the guys and see movement in the crowd and seeing people joining in, that is also an amazing feeling. I wrote these songs in a room somewhere and now people are reacting to them and it’s an amazing feeling, so both of them have their things that make me go mad!
What musicians do you look up to in the industry or take inspiration from?
When I first picked up a guitar- which was about four years ago- I was listening to a lot of City and Colour. That was kind of my first experience of acoustic music that really connected with me. My dad had played some Beatles stuff, some Dylan, Mick Drake and stuff, and when I was younger I guess it just didn’t connect with me, which I’m kind of a bit embarrassed about because they’re all brilliant. So basically, City and Colour was really my first connection with music and again, it was around the time I was learning guitar so I’d listen to his music and I was learning his songs to teach myself guitar. And I think he really shaped the way I play guitar and my whole sound.
Are you expecting a large turn out for tonight’s set? Obviously you’re on the same time as The Fratellis which is a bit of a pain- but they’re a completely different sound so it may not affect you too much!
Yeah, a lot of people have said that! The thing is, I go to these things expecting no one. If anyone turns up, I’m as happy as Larry! So if I turn up and there are ten people, I’ll just be grateful that ten people are there. So yeah, either way, I don’t mind! I haven’t even seen the stage yet! [Oh, it’s fantastic! Table tennis and a bar around it- lovely vibe!] Oh, excellent! So yeah, whoever turns up I’ll be very very happy.
Sweet! Will you be heading along to see De La Soul headlining tonight?
Well the thing is, we’ve got three festivals this weekend- we all got up at 4am to fly here so I think the plan is to just play. We’ve got a flight to catch again tomorrow morning so I think we’ll take it easy unfortunately. But it means things are going well. And I get to play a festival tomorrow and a festival the next day so…! But I love festivals so it’s a shame I can’t stick around and see everything.
Yeah, it’s good to be busy though! Thanks so much for that interview Lewis, and best of luck with your set tonight.
No no, thank you again for having me!
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