UK Americana artist Gareth Lewis releases his debut solo EP ‘Start The Hurricane’ on Friday 3 September.
‘Start The Hurricane’ has been a long time in the making for Gareth, each of the five tracks showcases Gareth’s talent as a songwriter, singer and musician. Influenced by many genres including rock, blues and country; it is Americana that fits perfectly for what Gareth’s portrays across the EP. Gareth's voice as a writer is about the human condition and looking for a connection with people through his music.
On the meaning behind the ‘Start The Hurricane’, Gareth explains;
“There is a strong theme of hope running throughout. Each song is based on overcoming fear and adversity, and the EP is as a whole is about becoming and embracing the person you were always meant to be”.
The EP is made up of five tracks including Gareth’s first single ‘Vultures’. Released in July, it has been well received and has featured on Planet Rock and the BBC Wales A-list for the last month. The other tracks include ‘Let It Breathe’, ‘Leap of Faith’, ‘One More Round’ and ‘You’ll Never Know’.
The lyrics throughout the songs in the EP are very visual;
“The name ‘Start The Hurricane’ is taken from the chorus on ‘You’ll Never Know’, the closing track on the EP… ‘You’ll never know which raindrop will start the hurricane’. I think that line sums up the whole sentiment of the EP. Each song shapes the different challenges we face in overcoming our fears, ‘Leap of Faith’ tackles the issue of self-love and moving away from destructive old habits”.
Gareth from Swansea, Wales is now focusing on his music as a solo artist following the success of his singles ‘If I Don’t Make It Home’ and ‘All Because of You’ which have both featured on BBC Radio Wales A-list for four weeks.
He has a successful track record as a songwriter, his song ‘Don’t Let Your Love Lay Down’ made it to the final and top 2% in the Americana category at the International Songwriting Competition (ISC) in Nashville.
In 2020, Gareth recorded a song he’d co-written ‘Don’t Feel Like Love’ at broadcasting legend Bob Harris’s house for Steve Balsamo’s latest EP. In 2021, a song he co-wrote called ‘Something New’ with songwriting team Delta Kills was used in an online advert by Porsche featuring Bill and Ted stars Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter. As a musician, Gareth has supported British rock band The Struts.
‘Start The Hurricane’ by Gareth Lewis is out on Friday 3 September.