FEATURE: Spotlight: Tyler Lewis — Music Musings & Such

FEATURE:

Spotlight

Tyler Lewis

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IF this artist is not on your radar…

PHOTO CREDIT: Leila Afghan

then you really need to make sure that she is on there. The magnificent Tyler Lewis is someone I am new to. I am determined to keep an eye on her progress. Someone who has a distinct and strong sound, I can see her going places. Primed to be a big name in years to come. There are some interesting interviews with Tyler Lewis from this year. I will come to those soon enough. Before moving on and having a bit of a deeper dive into her music, this is a brief bit of biography about a brilliant ad arresting young talent:

“Tyler Lewis was born and raised in West London, but grew up with a rich musical influence from icons such as Michael Jackson and Toni Braxton, through Spandau Ballet, Duran Duran and Earth Wind and Fire. As she grew up, modern icons came into focus such as Bruno Mars, Craig David, Justin Timberlake and more recently people like SZA.

Drawing from these influences and far beyond, Tyler’s voice and song-writer has found her connecting with some of these icons and creatives at the beginning of her journey as an artist in her own right. She brings a unique blend to her music that’s both nostalgic and fresh”.

The exceptional downtime and fly on the wall are proof that we have a very special artist in our midst. I think that Lewis is going to be a festival fixture next year. Someone who is going to be playing an array of fascinating stages around the country. She is a really fresh voice that offers a blend of her heroes and something distinctly her own.

I want to start out by looking at an interview from NOTION that was published in February. After releasing the incredible debut, downtime, the then-twenty-two-year-old discussed her musical firsts. I am always interesting charting rising artists and what they are offering the industry. Who they are influenced by and what their sound is. I am already a fan of Tyler Lewis. Her heritage and musical upbringing combines to create this rich and nuanced voice – both literal and lyrical:

“Meet Tyler Lewis, a 22-year-old artist establishing her musical narrative. The west Londoner’s roots trace a fascinating journey across Sri Lankan, Dutch, Portuguese, and South African heritage, which is mirrored in her diverse musical palette.

Picture a prodigious talent whose journey began at the tender age of nine. This was the genesis of Tyler, winning hearts and a school talent contest with a rendition of Mariah Carey’s ‘Hero.’ Fast forward to now, and she finds herself sharing the limelight with luminaries like Kiana Ledé, Becky Hill, Tyla, Yebba, Jessie J, and the ever-inspiring Mahalia, who acknowledged just what this young talent had to offer, propelling her into the spotlight.

With her debut single, ‘downtime,’ releasing this week, Tyler invites listeners into her world: a realm where pop and R&B converge in perfect harmony. Directed by the visionary Ray Fiasco, known for his work with Pa Salieu, Knucks, and Dizzee Rascal, the accompanying video promises a visual spectacle that mirrors the track’s cool and vibey essence.

Collaborating intimately with Grammy Award-winning artist and producer MNEK, Tyler’s creative metamorphosis makes her a one-to-watch, fusing nostalgia and innovation that echoes influences ranging from Luther Vandross to SZA.

Beyond the stage, Tyler commands a formidable presence on social media, boasting over 170,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram. Her powerful covers resonate with fans, showcasing not only her vocal prowess but also her ability to breathe new life into established classics.

As anticipation builds for ‘downtime,’ Tyler Lewis emerges not just as an artist but as a curator of musical experiences. So, buckle up for a journey that traverses the past, embraces the present, and hints at an exciting musical future.

First song you ever made?

‘No enemies’ in January 2021, which was written in my first session with MNEK, Iain James and Jade Thirwall. It was the first time hearing myself recorded properly, so I listened to it like 20 times a day for two months.

First time you fell in love with music?

Music has been a constant throughout my life, so I can’t really pinpoint a moment. Growing up my mum played a lot of Usher, Mariah Carey, and Luther Vandross, but because it was the norm, I never really thought about it. I now appreciate the role music played growing up in my household because my life really wouldn’t be the same as it is now.

First CD or record you owned?

The Pussycat Dolls – Doll Domination. It was actually a gift from the tooth fairy when I lost my first tooth.

First time you realised you wanted to be an artist?

I first realised I wanted to be an artist after Little Mix: The Search ended. I always intended to go back to a regular job, but when it was done, I couldn’t imagine doing anything other than singing.

First gig you went to?

Justin Bieber for the All Around the World tour. I wore a Justin Bieber t-shirt and had a Justin Bieber lunchbox. I also remember genuinely thinking I was going to be his ‘One Less Lonely Girl’, and when I wasn’t, it was like I was dealing with a breakup in real-time.

First time you faced an obstacle in your career?

I think confidence was the biggest obstacle. I didn’t think I could write music, and I hated recording in the booth so sessions, even though they were so fun initially, were also really scary, and I could never sleep the night before them. That in turn made me not present at all in those sessions because I was so in my head the whole time.

First time you felt like giving up?

When I first started doing live performances, the nerves were unbearable. I would literally feel sick for days before and would only feel that relief when it was done. The anxiety was so bad I contemplated if I really was meant to be a singer. But after so much more experience singing live, I love it like nothing else. I still get anxious but I love doing it”.

Prior to getting to an interview with NME, I want to stop in to Wonderland. There was so much interest and buzz around Tyler Lewis earlier in the year. With downtime as her debut single, it is only natural that there would be a lot of eyes and ears her way. Standing above the competition. Someone making a very early name for herself. It is going to be interesting seeing to see where Tyler Lewis heads next. There will be an anticipated debut E.P., Wait ‘Til She Gets Her Heart Broken, out on 31st July. I would recommend people check that out. I can imagine there will be an album at some point. How she develops and grows as an artist will be really intriguing. Watch this space:

“What artists do you take inspiration from and how has the impacted your career so far?

I feel like finding my ‘sound’ was so important at the start because all the people I look up to have such a distinct sound. I am heavily influenced by some of the classics like Prince and Luther Vandross, but I also look up to artists like Silk Sonic who have found their ‘thing’ and just mastered it completely. Another important thing I love about Luther Vandross and Whitney Houston is that the music was at the forefront always. It wasn’t about being gimmicky or anything. They just sang, and people listened. I want to be like that.

How does your London background impact the music you create?

London is a culturally rich place anyway, and the music scene is just saturated with a million different genres. Being exposed to so much music growing up has definitely helped shape my music into what it is now. There’s so much going on in London all the time, so finding inspiration is never hard. If I’ve got writers block, all I have to do is hop on a train, stroll round for ten minutes before I see something that sparks an idea!

Congratulations on dropping your new track, ‘downtime’. Could you share your creative process for the track and generally?

‘downtime’ was written in the fourth-ever session! I was with MNEK, Iain James and Ryan Ashley, and we were discussing topics to explore, and they were asking what I like doing in my free time. I distinctly remember saying, ‘I never leave the house. I love being at home relaxing by myself,’ and that’s how the concept of downtime was created.

In general, my songs usually start with me asking the producer to do whatever. I like letting the producer do their thing for a bit while I sit and chat to the other writer in the room. Then when we have latched onto chords we like, we will all take turns trying out melodies, and when we have decided on those, then we write.

I never force a song. Sometimes it doesn’t naturally happen, but then other times the songs practically write themselves. Downtime was one of those songs that just wrote itself, and from the moment it was recorded I thought, ‘This is my sound.’

The accompanying video is also a great accompaniment. What messages and narratives are you aiming to convey with the visuals?

I want everyone to watch the video and think, ‘Ugh, I’ve felt like that!’ I have been that person at a party, feeling anxious, awkward, and just wanting to be home. Everyone has felt like this at one point or another, and it’s so normal! Even in the second verse, I say, ‘God I’m such a loner sometimes, I’ve learned to be my own valentine.’ I never dated people growing up and was so embarrassed, and looking back, that’s crazy, and there are a million other people feeling the same way. I just want people to listen to downtime and just relate.

You work closely with MNEK, what’s it like to work with him?

MNEK is an incredible writer and producer, and he is just really fun to work with and be around. No session with him is ever a dull one! Having him alongside me through this whole process of ‘finding myself as an artist’ has been such a privilege.

Any New Year’s resolutions for the coming year?

I don’t want to say ’New year, New me’ because I’ve been the same for 22 years now, but I do want to leave my comfort zone a whole lot more. Releasing music and being an artist for the first time is helping me do that anyway, but even things like this are new to me. I just wanna look back at 2024 Tyler and think, YOU DID THAT!

And what does the rest of 2024 look like for you? Can you give us a glimpse into any upcoming projects or collaborations?

I can confirm that an EP is on the way. More music videos. And choreography too. I have no collabs planned as of yet, but I want to speak a few into existence like D Mile, Silk Sonic, and Babyface. Those are on my bucket list as of right now! Also, some more songwriting for other artists!”.

PHOTO CREDIT: Massimiliano Giorgeschi

Go and follow Tyler Lewis on social media. I am going to end with a recent interview from NME. Now twenty-three, there are more eyes on the future rather than her debut single. This amazing E.P. will offer new material and sides to her. I am predicting a long run of E.P.s and albums from Lewis. With everything she puts out, there will be fresh innovations, twists and colours. I am really excited to see what is offered up on Wait ‘Til She Gets Her Heart Broken. Lewis is someone who comes across really well in interviews. Compelling and intelligent, you feel instantly bonded to her:

“There’s a song on your debut EP called ‘Never Been in Love’ that feels so honest. How was it writing – and now sharing – something like that?

“When it came to writing about love, I had zero experience. In school, everyone around [me] was in relationships and I just never did that stuff. So I was like, I could technically write about it and base it on a character in a film that I love or something, but then I’m going to sing it and have no story. There would be nothing I could relate it to. Writing ‘Never Been in Love’ was like writing in a diary. It felt quite easy, especially with the room of people I work with; I can be myself with them. I think that’s why the EP was written slightly later, with the right people, because I was comfortable enough to chat about anything.”

What’s been inspiring you sonically during the creation of this project?

“With [my song] ‘Eventually’, I remember saying: ‘I want something raw that I can really sing to’. When I listen to Jazmine Sullivan, I feel like, ‘Oh my god, she’s just singing’ and it feels so raw – I feel like that was an inspiration for that song. And when I listen to Brandy, I love how soft she sounds sometimes; I feel like that applies to ‘Downtime’. [Elsewhere], on a song like ‘So Amazing’ by Luther Vandross, when it gets to the bit where there’s a little bassline change, every time – no matter how many times I’ve listened to it – I’m waiting for it. That’s what I’ve been trying to put into all the songs. Those are the bits you latch onto.”

On ‘Downtime’ you sing about wanting to leave a party you never really planned to attend in the first place. What’s the worst party you’ve ever been to?

“It was when I was in college. It was at the stage where everyone just wanted to be crazy. Whereas I remember sitting in a chair in the corner of the room just watching everyone, thinking, ‘This could never be me’. I’m just like stroking the cat, and chilling in the corner eating…”

What do you want people to remember your music for?

“I just want it to be timeless. So even in 10 years, people say: ‘Oh my god, that song you wrote 10 years ago is so great, I still listen to it’. It’s easy in this day and age to listen to 30 seconds of a song and be done with it, or get over it when the next song comes along. But I want [my songs] to be classics that people move from each playlist as they grow up.”

Could that be part of the reason you’ve honed in on this more classic – but still contemporary – R&B sound, that many may already associate with being timeless?

“100 percent. I feel like even with TikTok, it’s such a huge thing and everyone’s goal is to go viral. But then even firsthand when I was doing covers, I would see how quickly the support comes in but then it goes; the highs and the [lows]. As soon as you’re back to where you started, it’s like, ‘This is horrible’. With my music, I just want to be so constant”.

With her debut E.P. out on 31st July, there will be a lot more focus the way of Tyler Lewis. More fans that will be added to her foundation. Being tipped as someone to watch very closely, there is so much to respect and admire about her. It is only a matter of time before we are seeing Lewis headlining stages. Her music goes deep and stays in the mind. She definitely needs to be in your sights. There is no doubting the fact that Tyler Lewis is…