Sylvie Lewis... who by the way does believe in advertising other artist's record release or shows on her site but only if I actually know you and we are real friends and I love you so please don't send me those promo messages if you are not a mate because I will just delete them!
Influences
My mother. All three grandmothers. My sister. All those paid to teach me between ages 3 and 18 (my ages not the teachers' ages). Those are without doubt influences - I used to think it was important to draw a line between those who influence us and those we like the sound of. I wish I sounded like a lot of fabulous people - but I don't. Then again, influences are funny things, subliminally creeping along under the earth like tubers - once planted they spread unseen, making themselves visible every few yards if you're lucky. You can hear for yourself right here what I sound like...and those that I like the sound of (and hope have given me a few potatoes) are: The Everly Brothers, Binnie Hale, Arundhati Roy, Kurt Weill, Frank Loesser, Vinicio Capossela, Eudora Welty, Gene Autry, Zora Neale Hurston, Flanders and Swann, Paolo Conte, Mayte Martin, Ben Okri, Zarah Leander, Hal David, Claude Debussy, Camille Claudel, Lucio Dalla (1960's and 70's), Gianmaria Testa (Album = Lampo), Edith Piaf, Georgia O'Keefe, The Books, Avion Travel, Serge Gainsbourg (early on, cheri), Caetano Veloso, Duke Ellington, Michael Cunningham, Salman Rushdie, George and Ira Gerswin, Sondre Lerche, Cole Porter, Julian Barnes, Noel Coward, Ed Harcourt, Crescent and Frost, Kate Atkinson, Kate Schutt, Sam Cooke, Randy Newman, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, John Denver, Lori Cullen, L.S Lowry, Koko Bonaparte, and pretty much anyone who wrote a song with the name Martha in it. I would also like to credit my Dad's particularly unique mix tapes - never before, never since has there been a DJ like him.
And now a note on Hemmingway. I hated him when I first read him. But here's the fantasmically wonderful thing about art - it exists. And so do we. And when we meet for the first time I might be someone to whom "The Garden of Eden" is not relevant. I become frustrated that I don't know what all the fuss is about and then brush it off. A few years later along comes an "old man and the sea" and I was flawed. What changed? Me. I was ready. And that's one of the most beautiful things about art - it waits for you to get it. And that means there's hope. And beauty around every corner. Just hold on.
Sounds Like
She spent a lot of time with grandpa's record collection and/or communing with nature...
Basically I fell in love with Maria Von Trapp when I was 5 years old and decided I wanted to become a nun. About 10 years later it dawned on me that I liked the singing part more than the habits and I started writing songs.
Now when life is good I play shows with likes of Sondre Lerche, Eleni Mandell, Anais Mitchell, Teitur, Ed Harcourt, Jennifer Kimball, Tobias Froberg, The New Standards, The Weepies, Catherine Feeny, Chris Pureka, Chiara Civello and occasionally, when he's free, with God (except he insists on the whole habit thing which I feel can be distracting from the music - don't you agree?).
Recently, something very lovely happened. I met a band here in Rome where I live called L'Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio and they asked me to join them for their realization of Mozart's "The Magic Flute". It's pretty radical and I'm honoured to be involved. We made our debut in June 2009 in Lyon, France and will be spreading the love through Europe and hopefully elsewhere in 2010 - stay tuned and find us - this show is not to be missed - and I can say that without being arrogant because I'm a cog in a big and beautiful wheel here folks.
In the meantime I'm writing album number 3 which involves various co-writes from Nashville to Rio De Janeiro which I'll be recording at an undisclosed location (read: not sure where yet) with you-know-who as my producer and consort in March 2010. Whew - big sentence. I much prefer writing songs to writing bios.
HI PRECIOUS SYLVIE. THANKS FOR BEING MY FRIEND. I LOVE YOUR VOICE, YOUR MUSIC, ALL YOUR. HAVE A NICE WEEK FULL OF LOVE, JOY AND INSPIRATIONS. HUGS AND KISSES
Thank you so much, Sylvie, for the wit, wisdom and beauty of your performance last night.Wishing this simple thank you could match your way with words, and hoping that you will play for us again before too long. Please keep in touch, Steve xx
Sylvie, thanks for the add! I've been listening to your music since you permitted my friendship with you. You're absolutely amazing. Can't wait till you get back to the US to play. Hope Europe's treating you well. Check out my music. I truly hope you enjoy. Please feel free to share and comment. Take care :)
Hello Sylvie, I really wish you'd make the journey north to sing some songs for us in Germany... it's gotten cold here, we could use your music. Tobias
I know you may not read these, or have time to respond, but I was thinking of you just now and I wished to send you some words. I hope that all is well in Italy and that you are well. I think I heard something of you playing in New York recently. How sad that I missed it! You truly are one of my biggest inspirations, you know.
I hope our paths should cross again in the next year.
Gretings from the Norwich saltmines, then. Never knew that, and I live here ! Very much looking forward to your visit in November. Steve @ Grapevine at Bedfords x
It was lovely to see and hear you in dodgy Bushwick this evening. Your songs are so moving and I am very much looking forward to the new album you are recording in Rome. Remember that spring in NY is wonderful and come back to see us when the CD is released.
Sylvie! I really enjoy your work! How long are you in the states for in September...any chance of making it to Chicago if I could hook you up with a show?
Hi Sylvie, What a pleasure stumbling upon your page. You're beautiful music and classiness is inspiring. Performing Mozart with L'Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio sounds fantastic. I once did a yoga retreat in Lyon. I wish I was overseas to see the show. All the best, Rick
