London-Based Musician ROMAN LEWIS Opens Up About New Music and More!

London-based singer-songwriter Roman Lewis’ newest single “I’m A Fool For You” appears on Roman’s debut EP Heartbreak.

STREAM: “I’m A Fool For You”

Lewis operates “I’m A Fool For You” with his acoustic guitar in hand and lyricism revealing the hazards of unrequited love. It’s a bold, brisk, and self-asserting effort while offering a feverish excitement every chord, breath, and lyric along the way.

Learn more about Roman Lewis in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time today! Where does this interview find you?

Roman Lewis: Just come back from school, had some Indian food with the family and now I’m listening to my grandma’s best of Elvis record whilst answering these questions!

Now that 2019 has started, what musical goals do you have for yourself and your music this new year? Did you make any new year’s resolutions?

The only musical goal I have for this year is being able to hold the record of my first and second EP in my hand if I’m honest. Apart from that, just to continue doing what I’ve been doing hopefully. My new year’s resolution was to watch some more great tv series cos I had just gotten my laptop fixed after having a bit of an incident spilling my cereal over it whilst watching a Shame concert a while back, and I’m happy to say I’ve stuck to it and it’s been a pleasure.

Growing up, how important has music been in your life? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? Was it an easy or difficult choice to make?

Music has always been around. My uncles play the piano and guitar and would always jam whenever there was a family get together. I used to dance a lot more than anything else. Always dancing to the muppet’s version of bohemian rhapsody on the kitchen table. I got into singing because I wanted to be Billy Elliot. Although it never worked out, exceeding the height limit of 5 foot 2 at a pretty young age, I’m happy it got me singing. Watching Glee really got me into it too. At 13 I started gigging and listening to some more varied music than musical theatre soundtracks and glee compilations. I started writing songs quickly after that when I realised I could only cover Ed Sheeran so many times. I recorded some of them at an older friends home studio a year later and put them on Soundcloud and they got a really good response. All of a sudden my mum was having several phone calls a day from music managers and all that jazz. That’s really when it hit. I realised they must be calling for a reason and I might be able to do this with my life after all.

Was there ever a time when you thought about doing something else? If you weren’t a musician today, what could you see yourself doing?

When I was 3 I wanted to be a petrol man because my aunty would always moan about how expensive petrol was. Then I wanted to be a dancer, then a lawyer for a bit I think. If I wasn’t doing music I would still be doing my A level exams just as I am now but probably turning up to a lot more lessons, and I would be going to uni to study physics. After that I wouldn’t have a clue though. I don’t think I could be satisfied doing anything else but this.

What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?

The biggest surprise so far has been how cool everyone is in the music business. From all aspects of it, everyone I’ve met and had the pleasure to work with have honestly been the best. Also that nothing happens over night. I’ve realised that that’s the beauty of it though. If I was the biggest star in the world I would be much less enjoying this interview, but I’m not and I’m loving it!

How do you think you and your music have been influenced by your hometown and where you live now?

Well I sing in English so living in England would be a pretty big reason for that. It’s also influenced the fact I sing with an English accent. If I lived somewhere less polluted than London I could probably sigh more between breaths. Yep.

Let’s talk about your newest single called “I’m A Fool For You.” What was the inspiration for this song? How does it compare to the rest of your debut EP, “Heartbreak”?

Being a hormonal 17 year old and just been really attracted to someone. I wrote it in the garden on a sunny day and I was in a good funky little mood and felt like writing something fun. It’s more upbeat than a lot of the other songs on the EP but I think it still works well with the other tracks. Before I wrote it I don’t think I had another song that sounded anything like it, so I’m happy I did.

Did anything surprise you about putting together the EP? How long did it take to make?

The tracks only took like 2 days each to produce, and most of that time was spent trying to play in time and figuring out how to the hell to play bass. The absolute genius that is Catherine Marks produced them and it was an experience full of surprises. Going in I had no idea how they were going to sound. It could have just as easily turned into a sad folk EP, but we were just having so much fun in the studio that it ended up turning into something a lot more special than that. In hindsight, the most amazing thing about the process was how easily it could have not been any good and how great I believe it has become.

Do you have plans to release more new music and a full-length album of songs?

Planning on releasing another EP this year, very much being the continuation of this first one. 

What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all of the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all? What would you say is your favorite way to connect with your fans now?

Oh yeah. Social media. Lol. I used to want to be one of those hippies who don’t have any social media but that didn’t really happen. I’m still getting used to it all and I’m not the most reliable at posting regularly but I’m getting more into it. I mean I get insta direct messages from people every so often saying they love the music which is always amazing to hear! Hearing people talk about their connection to a song makes everything worth it.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely still love to work with in the future?

My all time faves are like Radiohead, Nick Drake, Neutral Milk Hotel, but I’m constantly discovering more music that I love. I’m obsessing over Blake Mills work currently. I only listened to Break Mirrors for the first time the other day, but I’ve listened to it multiple times a day since. I love his production work on those Alabama Shakes and Perfume Genius records too, so would love to work with him! I’d love to write a song with Snail Mail. She’s amazing.

Where can fans see you perform next? Do you have any kind of a 2019 tour scheduled yet?

I’m supporting Matt Maltese on his US tour in March and got my first headline show in London planned for the 24th of April, both of which I cannot wait for!

If you had an unlimited budget and your schedule was free, what would your dream music video look like?

I’d do a three year trip all around the world and say it was for the music video to have it paid for. Then come back and have Ryan Reynolds read out the lyrics to the song in a really sarcastic manner in front of a giant orange backdrop.

If you were going to be stranded on a deserted island, what musical item would you take with you and why?

I would take an iPod with access to Spotify. I’d have a lifetime of music. I would much prefer to never play than never listen again. 

If your music was going to be featured on any TV show that is currently on right now, which would you love it to be on? Or if you prefer, what is a movie that you love that you wish your music was featured in?

A series I’m watching right now for the first time is Skins and they have got some great great music on there. Every other song I know and every song I love. It’s finished now but would have been cool to have a song in that for no real reason other than imagine having a song in Star Wars. That would earn you some serious bragging rights. So yeah that. 

At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music?

Whatever the hell they want. If someone’s getting something from it that a good enough reason to carry on. I get so much from listening to music so thinking that other might be getting the same from mine is a lovely thought.

Would you like to share anything else with our readers about your music?

Not especially. Everyone should go check out this Blake Mills album. The Elvis one is finished so I’m listening to Break Mirrors again and damn it’s good! Like wow. Turn my music off right now and give this a listen.