After turning heads earlier this year with his teaser single ‘Shadow Play’, UK singer-songwriter Chris Lewington is back in full force, unveiling his new album of the same name just in time for summer. A rich tapestry of alternative pop melodies and sixties-inspired warmth, ‘Shadow Play’ showcases Lewington’s masterful ability to blend expansive, guitar-driven soundscapes with storytelling lyrics that explore loss, whimsy, and the darker corners of the human experience.
So we sit down with Chris to dive into the making of ‘Shadow Play’, explore the stories and inspirations behind the new songs, and discuss his enduring passion for crafting timeless, emotionally resonant music.
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Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in music?
Started writing songs as a teenager after I’d bought my first guitar with the winnings from a local art competition. Came to London initially to study film and formed my first band. Spent the next ten years fronting bands in the doing of my songs- The Silence, The Bicycle Thieves. Gigged up and down the UK and some in Europe. Released singles, got on compilation albums. Been making music off and on ever since.
Who are your biggest musical influences and how have they shaped your sound?
My first musical influences were movie themes. I was a big fan of Ennio Morricone. I think you can hear that influence in the violin lick on “February” on “Shadow Play”. Later on the Beatles, singer songwriters like Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen. Bruce Springsteen and REM were probably influences. So I would call my music sort of classic songwriting pop and taking quite a bit of influence from the singer songwriting years of the 70s.
Was there a specific moment or experience that made you decide to pursue music seriously?
I read Hunter Davies original biography of the Beatles as a teenager and thought yep thats for me I want to be in a band growing up with my mates. Later on my cousin played me Simon and Garfunkel’s Parsley Sage Rosemary and Thyme album and I was bowled over by the fact that you could write a three minute song that was a mini existential essay. I thought yes I can write songs that are not only pop songs but have layers of meaning.
Can you walk us through your typical songwriting process?
Usually I’ll just get a tune in my head. From there I will work at it with the guitar adding chords. I’ll have a list of song titles or themes I want to write songs about so I’ll see from that what might fit with the tune. Later on when I get to the recording stage I might transfer to a keyboard as the main instrument or keep with guitar. So the title track “Shadow Play” on the album was like that. I still do it live with just guitar but on the record it’s piano based.
How do you find inspiration for your music and lyrics?
Books, films, newspapers, experiences. Often I’m kind of like an actor when writing a song. I’m taking on someone else’s life and writing the song from their point of view. So there needs to be an angle or aspect about a life or an incident that strikes me. “A Secret Affair” is typical on the album. It’s about John Lennon’s supposed affair with Alma Cogan at the point he knows she’s dying.
What themes or messages do you hope listeners take away from your music?
I’m not looking to give any messages or instructions. I hope the listener picks up something of the feeling of the situation or person I’m writing about but really if someone comes away thinking or feeling about a song differently from my original intention that’s fine. That’s the evolution and life that a song takes.
What challenges have you faced as an emerging artist in the music industry?
There’s two billion other people out there all trying to do it! I started out when you made vinyl only and there were two or three music weeklies and a couple of national radio shows that you needed to crack as an indie artist. Records were expensive to make and press and distribute and chances of radio play and a review were a long shot. Now you can make music on a home computer pretty good and you can distribute and have people listen around the world through streaming. So the opportunity to get your music made and in front of people is a thousand times easier than before. The downside is that it is easier for everybody so the challenge is now how do you stand out from the masses.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your musical journey so far?
Simply that there are people out there that are listening and commenting, saving and playing my songs. Whether they are streaming or buying the tracks. It’s all good
How do you stay true to yourself and your artistry in a constantly evolving industry?
I don’t really think of myself as part of the music industry. The music industry is Taylor Swift and all that. I just make my music and put it out. If the means of transporting that music changes i.e. if streaming is replaced by some other model then of course I have to change with it. But I’m not working with the vagaries of music fashions. I just do me.
What can fans expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or tours?
Maybe a more intimate acoustic album next. Maybe an album of movie themes inspired music. Maybe I’ll do an album of yoga music with lots of Tibetan monk chats and singing bowls.
Where do you see yourself and your music career in the next five years?
Hopefully I’m still doing it.
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Listen to Chris Lewington’s new album ‘Shadow Play’ below.
