Song Of The Day: "Be Your Man" by Rhys Lewis

31st October 2019 //

Hey everyone!

There are some artists that just constantly are on our radar and whenever they release new material, we get super hyped and can't wait to become familiar with the new sounds.

Rhys Lewis is one of those artists for us.

We've been hyped since he released his debut single, "Waking Up Without You" back in 2016 and neither our hype nor his streak of quality releases have ended since.

So buckle up and let's dive into our current favourite track.


- Song Of The Day -
"Be Your Man" by Rhys Lewis


Rhys Lewis is a singer/songwriter originally from Oxford (UK), now based in London (UK).

His sound is influenced by legends such as Carole King, Bill Withers and James Taylor.
Rhys' signature sound is a blend of Soul, Pop and Blues with hints of Rock and Folk here and there.
The diversity of his sounds, paired with his talent for story telling has led to over 200 million streams on his previously released singles & EPs.
 
Rhys shares his own experiences through his music, allowing his fans to find comfort and understanding in the lyrics while letting their worries melt away with the melodies. 

Within the past few years, Rhys has taken on the music world by storm and has toured with artists such as Freya Ridings, JP Cooper, James TW and most recently Julia Michaels.


You can catch Rhys on his biggest UK headline tour this winter:

2019:
20th Noveber: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
21st November: Deaf Institute, Manchester
22nd November: Thekla, Bristol
23rd November: O2 Institute3, Birmingham
25th November: EartH, London
26th November: Komedia, Brighton
28th November: O2 Academy2, Oxford
30th November: King Tuts Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow
1st December: Button Factory, Dublin

2020:
10th January: Roisin Dubh, Galway
11th January: Glassworks, Derry

- click here for tickets -


"Be Your Man" has previously been released as an acoustic arrangement, letting you really understand the lyrics which tell a story of feeling like you're not enough, like the person you're with is constantly comparing you to their ex.

Now, with a fuller and darker sound, the song reveals another layer of emotions.
With this kind of setting, you realise how being compared to someone else in a relationship doesn't just bring a lot of pain with it, it also causes a lot of frustration and anger.

The foot stomping beat, the energetic piano - and of course - Rhys' vocals express the cycle of thoughts and feelings one goes through in that kind of situation so perfectly.


Listen to "Be Your Man" right here:




- buy "Be Your Man" -
- stream "Be Your Man" -



Rhys Lewis online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube | Instagram






Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words: Vanessa Jetwash | Image: Rhys Lewis via Decca Records

Read More

Release Of The Day: "Better Than Today" by Rhys Lewis

Hey everyone!

It's the first New Music Friday of 2019!
Fridays aren't always the days on which the magic happens,
but they certainly are the days on which the magic gets released.

We're super excited to discover all the music which will be released this year.
Our hunch tells us that we're in for a real treat, so let's kick this first NMF of 2019 off, shall we?

We've got a stunning track to share with you.


- Release Of The Day -
"Better Than Today" by Rhys Lewis


Rhys Lewis is a singer/songwriter originally from Oxford (UK), now based in London (UK).

His sound is influenced by legends such as Carole King, Bill Withers and James Taylor.
Rhys' signature sound is a blend of Soul, Pop and Blues with hints of Rock and Folk here and there.
The diversity of his sounds, paired with his talent for story telling has led to millions of streams on his previously released singles & his debut EP.
 
Rhys shares his own experiences through his music, allowing his fans to find comfort and understanding in the lyrics while letting their worries melt away with the melodies. 

Within the past few years, Rhys has taken on the music world by storm and has toured with artists such as Freya Ridings, JP Cooper and James TW.

Besides that he sold out multiple headline shows in the UK & Europe and has performed on the British Music Embassy stage at SXSW 2018.


2019 is promising to be just as busy and has Rhys kick it off with the release of his new single, "Better Than Today". 


The track was his first experience working as a producer, alongside with Aidan Glover who co-wrote the song, Rhys has been working on this song in their studio in South London.

Rhys says about the track, "We've been living through some pretty turbulent times in recent years.
 I wrote this song to ease my anxiety about the state of the world and remind myself that, whatever our differences are, whatever we choose to believe in, we all live with the same good intentions common, and we're all hoping for a better tomorrow." 


"Better Than Today", in one word, is hopeful.

Despite the admitting of feeling quite scared and lost at times, the lyrics also talk about not giving up, not feeling alone.
It underlines the element of humanity and our basic emotional needs of wanting to be included, united.

The simplicity of the instrumental shows that this artist does not need a lot to craft a powerful and poignant piece of music.

With the piano being the only instrument accompanying Rhys' vocals, you really get to hear the depths his voice offers while he manages to transport the emotions directly to you.



Listen to "Better Than Today" right here:




- buy and/or stream "Better Than Today" -



Rhys Lewis online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube | Instagram





Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words: Vanessa Jetwash | Image: Daniela Alexander-Harris via Universal UK

Read More

EP Review: "Bad Timing" by Rhys Lewis

Hey guys!

I don't know about you, but I'm already loving 2018 in this industry.

We're seeing musicians speaking up politically (uhm, hello - how incredible was Stormzy's performance at the Brits?), we get to watch impressive lyric videos (Eminem's "Untouchable" is genius) and all our favourites are touring (remember when I cried at a Paramore show last month?) - long story short: the situation could be worse.

And - spoiler: it's not going downhill.

Tomorrow (if you're reading this on February 22nd), one of house in the sand's favourite acts is releasing his debut EP - and if he isn't one of your favs yet, this will do the last bit of convincing you might need.

So let's check it out, yeah?

Artist: Rhys Lewis
Title: Bad Timing
Genre: Soul, Pop
Label: Decca, Universal Music
Release Date: 23rd February 2018

Rhys Lewis is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, originally from Oxford (UK), now based in London (UK).

His sound is influenced by legends such as Carole King, Bill Withers and James Taylor.
Rhys' signature sound is a blend of Soul, Pop and Blues with hints of Rock and Folk here and there.
The diversity of his sounds, paired with his talent for story telling has led to millions of streams on his previously released singles.

Rhys has quickly gained a large following, allowing him to sell out shows in the UK and Europe inbetween support shows for JP Cooper and James TW.

Before he's heading on his second European headline tour in April, Rhys can be seen at SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas (US).

But first he's treating us with his debut EP, "Bad Timing".

So let's check it out!


Tracklist:

1) Bad Timing
2) Reason To Hate You
3) Bloodstains
4) Don't Wanna Believe It (Acoustic)


Opener and title track "Bad Timing" is a timeless and refreshing track.
There's something about the way it is arranged that feels like you've heard it before, like it's an old friend you haven't seen in a while.
But every element in the track offers excitement in the most comforting way. The dark instrumentation acts like a highlighter, intensifying the heavy emotions felt in the situation which Rhys describes with his words.

For "Reason To Hate You", all we hear is Rhys' voice and the electric guitar.
This simplicity could be tragically monotonous to listen to, but it isn't - instead it soaks you in and makes sure you listen to the track with all of your attention.
Maybe it's Rhys' confidence in his writing, maybe it's the universal and relatable heartbreak he's singing about, maybe it's magic.

"Bloodstains" is our personal stand-out track.
It sounds like Soul-Pop music you would've heard in the 60s or 70s somewhere in the States, it's classy but also modern.
The beat is straight forward and marches confidently through the track, the bass is booming through the speakers and will get you on your feet to dance along.
Rhys sings about the addictive feeling you can get in relationships that might not be working out.
Rhys' e-guitar soars in a dirtier and heavier manner than before and it works brilliantly, underlining the frustration we hear in his voice.

To sum it up: Not many four-track EPs can win you over with variety. But Rhys surely found a way to showcase different elements while still keeping the theme of the EP cohesive and meaningful. 

The listeners get to follow him through a journey of emotions and his honesty and vivid storytelling make it so easy to relate to his emotions. 

No matter how hard you try to listen to the instrumentations (and you should try hard because they are brilliant!), you just can't go without mentioning Rhys' warm and expressive vocals that just shine in any set-up - whether that's in a full band situation or during an acoustic performance.
We've said it before and we'll say it again - we can't wait for the debut album.


You should listen to these tracks: Bad Timing, Bloodstains





Rhys Lewis online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram



More of Rhys Lewis on house in the sand: Video Interview | Song Title Challenge







Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words: Vanessa Jertschewske | Image: via Universal UK

Read More

Song Of The Day: "Reason To Hate You" by Rhys Lewis

Hey guys!

Over here at house in the sand, we love getting to know artists through their music.

You know, just by listening to an album, you get to hear multiple sides of an artists - maybe you'll hear how they sound when they're sad, or when they're happy, or in love.
It's super interesting and exciting to learn all of that just through music.

With the amount of versatile singles Rhys Lewis has released over the course of the past year, we've heard a lot of his musical sides - and not a single one has been a let down.

Today we're hear to share Rhys' latest single with you and we hope you are ready to cry.


- Song Of The Day -
"Reason To Hate You" by Rhys Lewis


Rhys Lewis is a singer/songwriter based in London, UK.

His sound is going to make every classic Soul lover's heart beat - combining Soul with elements of Folk, Rock and Blues, Rhys has quickly created a signature sound which will draw your attention to his work.

Spending most of the past year in studios in London, Nashville, Stockholm, Los Angeles, Berlin and Isle Of Wight, the young musician has been writing and recording songs for his upcoming debut album.
His debut single "Waking Up Without You" hit #1 on Spotify's Viral Chart and reached 170 000 streams within two weeks.

Follow-up single "Living In The City" was just as strong and has now been streamed over 1.3 million times - a statement which probably speaks for itself.

His third single "I Know The Feeling" was written for a friend who was going through a tough time. The song and its music video adddress the importance of men's mental health.

Followed by "Be Your Man", a heartbreakingly beautiful ballad that won us all over with it's simplicity and straight-forward attitude.

He got us up on our feet, dancing to his upbeat track "Wish I Was Sober" in September.  

To catch one of his upcoming Europe and UK shows, make sure to click here for the dates.


And just last week he released his brand new single "Reason To Hate You", a heartbreaking ballad.


Throughout the entire song, all we hear is Rhys' voice and the electric guitar.
This simplicity could be tragically monotonous to listen to, but it isn't.

In fact, it soaks you in and grabs you.
Maybe it's Rhys' confidence in his writing, maybe it's the universal and relatable heartbreak he's singing about, maybe it's magic.

But it grabs your attention.
With vivid storytelling, highlighting the vulnerable side of love and - of course, expressive vocals, it's no surprise that we found our eyes watering and our hearts breaking a little.



Listen to "Reason To Hate You" here:




- buy or stream "Reason To Hate You" -



Rhys Lewis online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram



More of Rhys Lewis on house in the sand: Video Interview | Song Title Challenge





Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words: Vanessa Jertschewske | Image: Rhys Lewis via Universal UK

Read More

Release Of The Day: "Wish I Was Sober" by Rhys Lewis

Hey guys!

There are some artists, whose songs are always such fun to get to know.

Whenever we hear a new track, we try to get to know the song, before we even consider reviewing it. 

We want to understand its' characteristics, its' mood and the overall feeling that it captures.

Sometimes, that can be quite intense and time consuming.
It's a bit like meeting people, some are fun to learn more about - others aren't.

Rhys Lewis is one of those acts who puts out music, that we love getting to know.
It's like we win a new friend, everytime he releases something.

So let's befriend this brand new release.


- Release Of The Day -
"Wish I Was Sober" by Rhys Lewis


Rhys Lewis is a singer/songwriter based in London, UK.

His sound is going to make every classic Soul lover's heart beat - combining Soul with elements of Folk, Rock and Blues, Rhys has quickly created a signature sound which will draw your attention to his work.

Spending most of the past year in studios in London, Nashville, Stockholm, Los Angeles, Berlin and Isle Of Wight, the young musician has been writing and recording songs for his upcoming debut album.
His debut single "Waking Up Without You" hit #1 on Spotify's Viral Chart and reached 170 000 streams within two weeks.

Follow-up single "Living In The City" was just as strong and has now been streamed over 1.3 million times - a statement which probably speaks for itself.

His third single "I Know The Feeling" was written for a friend who was going through a tough time. The song and its music video adddress the importance of men's mental health.

Followed by "Be Your Man", a heartbreakingly beautiful ballad that won us all over with it's simplicity and straight-forward attitude.

Rhys has been busy releasing one fabulous track after the other, whilst touring and creating an even bigger buzz.
To catch one of his upcoming Europe and UK shows, make sure to click here for the dates.


Today he's here with a new track, so let's check it out!


"Wish I Was Sober" is one of those tracks, that you'll put on replay without even thinking about it.

It starts off with gripping clapping, which makes you want to get involved and clap along.
Soft choir backing vocals by London's House Gospel Choir appear throughout the song and add a lot of depth and soul.

The first verse starts of simple - clapping, choir and main vocals accompanied by inviting piano chords.
Soon the proper beat kicks in, turning the song into an up-beat track.

Rhys' vocals are as expressive and passionate as ever, showcasing his wide range and highlighting the energy of the song with raspier notes.

It seems, the first thing people notice about Rhys' music is his voice.
And we totally get why - it's refreshing, it's souly and warm.

But not mentioning his storytelling and writing skills would be an absolute crime.

The instrumentation runs so smoothly - and has clearly been crafted with thought and care - yet it's still edgy enough to be exciting and attention grabbing.

If such bangers come out every time Rhys isn't sober, the next round is on us!


Listen to "Wish I Was Sober" below:




- buy or stream "Wish I Was Sober" -



Rhys Lewis online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram



More of Rhys Lewis on house in the sand: Video Interview | Song Title Challenge






Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words: Vanessa Jertschewske | Image: via Universal Music UK

Read More

Song Of The Day: "Be Your Man" by Rhys Lewis

Hey guys!

When you're writing about a song, you're most likely to have that song on repeat throughout the entire process of writing about it.

At least that's how I like to handle it, whilst I work on reviews.

And honestly - that's how you find out whether you like a song or not - because listening to the same track over and over again, can get on your nerves. I'm sure you all know what I mean.

But fortuantely, today's song did not get on my nerves - at all.

So please let me present you our SOTD.


- Song Of The Day -
"Be Your Man" by Rhys Lewis


Rhys Lewis is a singer/songwriter based in London, UK.

His sound is going to make every classic Soul lover's heart beat - combining Soul with elements of Folk, Rock and Blues, Rhys has quickly created a signature sound which will draw your attention to his work.

Spending most of the past year in studios in London, Nashville, Stockholm, Los Angeles, Berlin and Isle Of Wight, the young musician has been writing and recording songs for his upcoming debut album.
His debut single "Waking Up Without You" hit #1 on Spotify's Viral Chart and reached 170 000 streams within two weeks.

Follow-up single "Living In The City" was just as strong and has now been streamed over 1.3 million times - a statement which probably speaks for itself.

His third single "I Know The Feeling" was written for a friend who was going through a tough time. The song and its music video adddress the importance of men's mental health.

To catch one of his upcoming Europe and UK shows, make sure to click here for the dates.


And just last week Rhys released his newest track, "Be Your Man" - a powerful ballad.


"Be Your Man" starts off with a beautiful, yet fragile piano melody, which already lets you know this song is going to be an emotional one.

It's the personal and honest storytelling, that makes you feel like you've experienced the heartbreak yourself. The words sound relatable and grab your attention from the very first line until the very last.

Rhys' voice guides you through the song and you can almost feel the pain, as if you were the one experiencing it. It's raw, it's honest but still oh so soulful.

Whilst listening to the track, you can easily overlook the minimalistic arrangements, due to the song being so powerful and gripping - but the simplicity, of just the piano and the vocals, is what creates such vulnerable atmosphere.

The song ends with the same melody it started with and leaves you in an emotional, yet enjoyable state.

Once again Rhys Lewis proves that he's a talented songwriter who can transport feelings through his music.


Listen to "Be Your Man" below:




- buy "Be Your Man" -
- stream "Be Your Man" -



More of Rhys Lewis on house in the sand: Video Interivew | Song Title Challenge



Rhys Lewis online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram




Thank you for your visit! 

Credits // Words: Vanessa Jertschewske | Image: via Rhys Lewis

Read More

Video Interview: Rhys Lewis

Hey guys!

When you meet people to film an interview with, you rely on their mood and behaviour - as that makes up 50% of the interview.

Over the years I've chatted to quite a few people and it's so interesting to see the different dynamics you get.
I usually always have a great time and learn a lot from each interview.

The most enjoyable chats are with those people, who are genuinely nice and easy to get along with.

Today I get to share one of those fun interviews with you and I'm super excited about that.
I'm sure a lot of you have already heard about Rhys Lewis, but for those of you who haven't - let us introduce you to him.

Rhys Lewis is a singer/songwriter based in London, UK.

His sound is going to make every classic Soul lover's heart beat - combining Soul with elements of Folk, Rock and Blues, Rhys has quickly created a signature sound which will draw your attention to his work.

Spending most of the past year in studios in London, Nashville, Stockholm, Los Angeles and Berlin, the young musician has been writing and recording songs for his upcoming debut album.
His debut single "Waking Up Without You" hit #1 on Spotify's Viral Chart and reached 170 000 streams within two weeks.

Follow-up single "Living In The City" was just as strong and has now been streamed over 1.3 million times - a statement which probably speaks for itself.

His most recent single "I Know The Feeling" was written for a friend who was going through a tough time. The song and its music video adddress the importance of men's mental health.

On Friday, the 11th of August, Rhys will be releasing his next single, "Be Your Man".
To catch one of his upcoming Europe shows, make sure to click here for the dates.


Whilst I was in London, we had a little chat about his recent gigs in the Netherlands, his single "I Know The Feeling", polaroids and more.

Note: we had to move to another spot during the interview, but technically shot this in one go - don't be confused.


Check out the interview below:



Massive thank you to Rhys for this fun chat and to Heather and Milly for arranging it.


Watch the video for "I Know The Feeling":




Rhys Lewis online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram




Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words & Video: Vanessa Jertschewske

Read More

Song Title Challenge: Rhys Lewis vs. Josh Savage

Hey guys!

Song titles.
When you really think about it, they are quite powerful.

They're the first impression you get from a song.

They allow your mind to think about what the song may be about.

They can draw vivid images in your head.
They set a scene before the song gets to take the lead.

So, technically, song titles are pretty important.

And there are millions (probably billions?) out there.
Some are brilliant and do their jobs,
whilst others are slightly more surprising - to say the least.

To our delight, there are quite a few odd song titles out there,
which gave us the perfect excuse to challenge two of house in the sand's favourite musicians.

Before you check out the video we shot with Rhys Lewis and Josh Savage, 
make sure to get to know these two brilliant singer/songwriters.

Rhys Lewis is a singer/songwriter based in London, UK.

His sound is going to make every classic Soul lover's heart beat - combining Soul with elements of Folk, Rock and Blues, Rhys has quickly created a signature sound which will draw your attention to his work.

Spending most of the past year in studios in London, Nashville, Stockholm, Los Angeles and Berlin, the young musician has been writing and recording songs for his upcoming debut album.
His debut single "Waking Up Without You" hit #1 on Spotify's Viral Chart and reached 170 000 streams within two weeks.

Follow-up single "Living In The City" was just as strong and has now been streamed over 1.3 million times - a statement which probably speaks for itself.

His most recent single "I Know The Feeling" was written for a friend who was going through a tough time. The song and its music video adddress the importance of men's mental health.

Check out Rhys' latest single "I Know The Feeling" below:




Rhys Lewis online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram

____________________________________________________________________________________

Josh Savage is a self-managed and independent musician, originally from Winchester, UK - now based in London.

His sound can be described as Indie-Folk with Acoustic elements in it. You'll often find beautiful string arrangements in his songs.
So far, Josh independently released three EPs; "Mountains in Hurricanes", "Spaces" and "Quatre Épines" - the last one showcasing Josh's French roots. 

In 2015, Josh played 79 shows with Sofar Sounds - all across America and Europe, in just 5 months. You can stream the documentary made on the road on Vimeo -> "Living Room Tour".

His single "Whisper In The Snow" ft. Alice Pearl was played on Dermot O'Leary's BBC Radio 2 show by Jo Whiley and has been streamed over 260.000 times on Spotify.

Earlier this month Josh released his latest single "Ghosts" and blew us all away with it.


Check out Josh's latest track "Ghosts" below:




Josh Savage online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram

____________________________________________________________________________________

So - what do you do when you get to collaborate with two of the finest musicians around?

You read odd song titles to them and make them guess whether they are real or not.
At least, that's what we do on house in the sand.

Please make sure to check out both of these fantastic musicians, if you haven't already.


I hope you enjoy this little song title challenge!




Which song title do you think was the strangest? Let us know!

- Playlist: Odd Song Titles -


A huge thank you to Rhys and Josh who so much fun to film this with.
It was brilliant hanging out and working with you!

Another huge thank you to Heather and Milly for setting this up and helping us out filming.


We have more in-depth interviews with both artists coming up soon, so feel free to subscribe to us on YouTube to not miss out on those video.



Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words & Video: Vanessa Jertschewske | Image Rhys Lewis: via Rhys Lewis | Image Josh Savage: via Josh Savage

Read More

Video Of The Day: "I Know The Feeling" by Rhys Lewis

Hey guys!

We probably don't need to mention it, but over here on house in the sand, we all love music.
Everyone in the team, and probably everyone reading these posts, has a different taste - and that's pretty amazing.

However, most of us agree that music with a deeper message needs to be given an extra loud voice.

Songwriters who address social issues and break standarts that society has created - those songwriters deserve a lot of respect.

Last year we've discovered Rhys Lewis, a singer/songwriter from London.
He's been wow-ing us ever since and his latest release "I Know The Feeling" is now excuse.

Make sure to check out this fabulous track and learn more about the reason behind the song below. 


- Video Of The Day -
"I Know The Feeling" by Rhys Lewis


Rhys Lewis is a singer/songwriter based in London, UK.

His sound is going to make every classic Soul lover's heart beat - combining Soul with elements of Folk, Rock and Blues, Rhys is quickly creating a signature sound which will draw your attention to his work.

Spending most of the past year in studios in London, Nashville, Stockholm, Los Angeles and Berlin, the young musician has been writing and recording songs for his upcoming debut album.
His debut single "Waking Up Without You" hit #1 on Spotify's Viral Chart and reached 170 000 streams within two weeks.

Follow-up single "Living In The City" was just as strong and has now been streamed over 1.3 million times - a statement which probably speaks for itself.

To shorten the wait for his debut album, a few weeks back Rhys treated us with a live performance of a new song called "Could've Been" which was filmed at The Round Chapel in London.

And now he's here with a new music video for his most recent single "I Know The Feeling".

Rhys wrote the song for a friend who was going through a tough time. Both- the song and the music video- address the important topic that is men's mental health.

Just because we think what Rhys has to say, is absolutely brilliant, we'd like to quote him:
"I think there is a lot of bravado that surrounds being a guy and being 'macho' that stems from a dated idea of what being a man is - brave face, man up, and don't talk about your feelings. 
But in reality, it takes a great amount of courage and bravery to be honest and vulnerable about how you feel. The pressure to be happy all the time and to be living the perfect life on social media is greater than ever, but I think if men could actually feel more comfortable being open in front of people or a friend, then that can change a lot of things."

We couldn't agree more and would like the video to speak for itself.
Allow the lyrics and the visuals to raise awareness and to resonate with you.

Enjoy the music and send it to a friend who might need it.


Check out the fabulous video for "I Know The Feeling" here:




- buy or stream "I Know The Feeling" -



Rhys Lewis online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram

Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Words: Vanessa Jertschewske | Image & Quote: Rhys Lewis

Read More

Performance Of The Day: "Could've Been" by Rhys Lewis

Hey guys!

One thing I've learned within the past five years of music blogging, is that you find some of the greatest acts when you aren't trying to find them.

Okay, I think I made that sound complicated, so let me break it down a little bit.

I have discovered some of my favourite acts when I didn't expect to discover them.
Let's take Martin and James as an example;
I first heard them live back in 2011 when they supported Taylor Swift. I had no clue who they were, but the minute they started playing, I knew I had just found my new favourite duo.

Moments like that kept happening multiple times over the years and they've definitely taught me to check out every support act, as well as checking out acts at festivals you don't know yet.

I did exactly that at last year's Barn on the Farm festival and to my delight, I go to watch Rhys Lewis play a fantastic set.

For those of you who haven't seen Rhys live yet- the Internet has got your back!


- Performance Of The Day -
"Could've Been" by Rhys Lewis

Rhys Lewis is a singer/songwriter based in London, UK.

His sound is going to make every classic Soul lover's heart beat - combining Soul with elements of Folk, Rock and Blues, Rhys is quickly creating a signature sound which will draw your attention to his work.

Spending most of the past year in studios in London, Nashville, Stockholm, Los Angeles and Berlin, the young musician has been writing and recording songs for his upcoming debut album.
His debut single "Waking Up Without You" hit #1 on Spotify's Viral Chart and reached 170 000 streams within two weeks.

Follow-up single "Living In The City" was just as strong and has now been streamed over 1.3 million times - a statement which probably speaks for itself.

To shorten the wait for his debut album, Rhys has treated us with a live performance of a new song called "Could've Been" which was filmed at The Round Chapel in London.

Greeting you with a catchy and soul driven riff, you just know that you're in for a treat.
Said riff returns multiple times throughout the song and quickly becomes a familiar friend.
The souly e-guitar is part of Rhys' refreshing signature sound - it's warm, it's inviting and it's honest.

Personal and relatable lyrics seem to be what's pouring out of the musician.
He knows how to illustrate short-film stories with his words - they are straight foward and very clear.

Rhys' voice is just as fascinating as his writing skills.
His warm and expressive voice just hits all the notes and transports all the emotions he's feeling.
Combined with heavenly soothing backing vocals, we're getting the full package here.

Rhys Lewis is a brilliant live artist, who doesn't need much gear to wow you.
And "Could've Been" proves that point perfectly.


Check out "Could've Been" below:




Rhys Lewis online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram





Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Text: Vanessa Jertschewske | Image: via WMA.Agency

Read More

Song Of The Day: "Living In The City" by Rhys Lewis

Hey guys!

Have you ever found yourself in a relationship with a city/town/village?
Well, I could probably write a book about that topic.

I have a love affair with Berlin and a messy love/hate relationship with my hometown.

Maybe a lot of people, whose careers depend on where they live and the opportunities that place brings with it, can relate to this.
Small towns are calm, comforting and maybe really beautiful. Yet, it's difficult to work in the entertainment industry ... because, let's face it, there isn't much demand for that.

So if you're stuck in a small town, you start dreaming of living in a city.

However, cities can be too loud, too crowded and too demanding.

Either way, there are pros and cons and sometimes it just all gets too overwhelming.
That's when a songwriter writes a track to cope with those thoughts and feelings.

And that's exactly what Rhys Lewis has done.
And we're glad he did.

Rhys Lewis is a singer/songwriter based in London, UK.

His sound is going to make every classic Soul lover's heart beat - combining Soul with elements of Folk, Rock and Blues, Rhys is quickly creating a signature sound which will draw your attention to his work.

Spending most of the past year in studios in London, Nashville, Stockholm, Los Angeles and Berlin, the young musician has been writing and recording songs for his upcoming debut album.
His debut single "Waking Up Without You" hit #1 on Spotify's Viral Chart and reached 170 000 streams within two weeks.

Rhys Lewis is now here with his new single, "Living In The City".

"Living In The City" starts off with a three warm and comforting piano chords, accompanied by Rhys' equally warm and comforting voice. Subtle percussions as well as soothing backing vocals join the party and add more layers to the song.

It seems Rhys' songwriting is all about plot twists; he strips it back to voice and piano for the chorus before throwing an attention-demanding bass line our way. It's that bass line which lets you know this track is going to launch into something huge.

Bass and percussions create a beautifully supportive rhythm section and underline the intensity in Rhys' voice.

Towards the end, the song quickly builds up and becomes this anthem-like hit which will make you sing along in no time.
The gospel choir blends in perfectly and sets the scene in such energetic and soulful manner - you can't help but let it take you on this musical journey.

His debut single "Waking Up Without You" already gave us a clue of what Rhys' voice is capable of - switching from smooth and souly to raspy and smokey in such classy way.
"Living In The City" just keeps proving that he's not just a skilled songwriter, but also knows how to use his voice by effortlessly reaching high notes and transporting emotions through his voice.

Rhys Lewis has a thing for painting vivid images with his lyrics.
Whether you're in any form of a relationship with a city/town or not, you'll find yourself understanding those feelings after listening to this track.

"Living In The City" is one hell of a song and got us even more excited for the upcoming album.

Until we get to hear that, let's just hit the (re)play button.





Get the song: iTunes | Amazon
Stream it: Spotify



Rhys Lewis online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram





Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Text: Vanessa Jertschewske | Image: via WMA Agency / Decca Records

Read More

Song Of The Day: "Waking Up Without You" by Rhys Lewis

Hey guys!

As a reviewer, you know you're in for a treat when you're immediately hitting the "repeat" button without thinking twice.
Exactly that happened to me just yesterday, when Rhys Lewis released his brand new track.

I first heard Rhys' music at Barn on the Farm festival this year. A random stroll to the Over Barn stage was all it took for me to find an artist I couldn't wait to showcase on HITS.

Let's keep this intro short and sweet- just remember to listen to the song because I know that at least 97% of you will love it!
(You're wondering how I could predict that? I lurk, my dear audience. I lurk.)


Rhys Lewis is a singer/songwriter based in London, UK. 
The musician spent his past year in the studios of thrilling cities such as London, Nashville, Stockholm, LA and Berlin.
After playing multiple festival slots this year, the anticipation of his growing social media followers, has finally been treated with his debut release, "Waking Up Without You".

Out of all places Rhys has travelled, the song has been recorded in a converted water tower on the Isle of Wight, together with the production duo Boe Weaver.


"Waking Up Without You" welcomes you with a warm and slightly edgy electric guitar riff.
Just when you think this track is going to be a fierce rock song, Rhys Lewis shows you how what a plot twist sounds like.
For the first verse, the singer/songwriter takes it back to a softly plugged guitar and supporting drum beats. This allows you to really take in the soul in his voice, which you'll enjoy. Trust me.
Backing vocals are super subtle throughout the entire song and that's perfectly fine. They let the main vocals do the work and highlight a few bits here and there.

That thought you had in the beginning, thinking the track was going to have a rock vibe to it?
You were right.
The edgy guitar comes back in the chorus and proves that one can gracefully combine soul and rock in one track. 
But it's not just the instrumentation which bursts into a full-on storm, it's also Rhys himself.
Rhys' voice controls the track and perfectly transports the frustration one feels when a sweet relationship has ended. The way he effortlessly switches from smooth and souly to raspy and smokey, definitely proves why he's "one to watch".

The drums get their own moment of intensity in the middle 8; whilst it's been a fine companion throughout the song, it's now time for the drum beat to take over.
Our friend the e-guitar is stripped back to souly plugging in order to let the beat fill the song. The abrupt beats give me a low-key Jack Garratt vibe and give the song another great twist.

To sum it up? "Waking Up Without You" is that kind of song you get lost in. You start to feel the emotions of the song, whether you can relate to them or not.
It's energetic, it's well produced, it's gold.

Now, go ahead and listen to "Waking Up Without You" below!
In case you don't use Spotify, click here for a preview of the song.




Get the song: iTunes | Amazon

London peeps- you can catch Rhys live on November 22nd, details here.



Rhys Lewis online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | YouTube | Instagram




Thank you for your visit!

Credits // Text: Vanessa Jertschewske | Image: Rhys Lewis

Read More