Today we’d like to introduce you to Lewus
Hi Lewus, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Growing up I always loved music, but I never thought about making my own until I went to my first music festival in 2015. It wasn’t only the music I wanted to create, it was the culture, the entire scene that really fueled my desire to try and create music. I was imagining how exciting it would be to be on stage performing for so many people and to bring a unique vibe to a crowd full of music fans, Despite how that show made me feel, I didn’t act on producing music until 2018. I was home for the summer between my junior and senior year in college and had attended several concerts during that time. I was once again inspired to start producing music and decided that before I go back to college, I would buy a music production software and a set of turntables. I ended up spending most of my senior year in college teaching myself how to produce music and DJ, finally acting on a motivation that I felt for years. Shortly after I graduated from UC – San Diego I got a job at a DJ company. I would play weddings, corporate events and birthday parties. After gaining some experience I transitioned into the local club scene and started to make music for the clubs. Since then Ive been fortunate enough to play at some world famous venues and collaborate with Grammy Award winners.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has definitely not been smooth. Being any kind of artist isn’t easy. It’s an uncertain life. I produced music for years before I felt ready to release anything, then a few more years of releasing music before anyone listened. Creating art is very personal. You put a piece of yourself into everything you create, and releasing that into the world can be scary. You can face a lot of rejection and a lot of doubt, even from those closest to you. Choosing to be an artist is a lonely road, I feel like Ive missed out on a lot because I decided to stay in and work on music, rather than go out with my friends and strengthen personal relationships. Ive even had romantic relationships fail because the life of an artist is unstable and there is no guarantee of a consistent paycheck. Ive felt the desire to quit many times but I truly just love to create music and don’t see myself truly stopping. Getting your music in front of the right audience is tough too. For a long time I struggled with promotion and getting my music heard. After some time Ive made connections with playlist curators and learned the how to navigate the music business a bit better, but it’s a forever work in progress.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Most of the time I’m just looking to create fun music people will dance to. I find that I am motivated and inspired to create something new after I attend a live show or watch a live set online. I get to see how the crowd reacts and what people like and don’t like. I listen to what’s playing when the dance floor gets packed and what is playing when it empties out. It’s the most underrated part about being a DJ. I read the room a lot. I’ve been in the club or at a festival when a really great track comes on and the crowd roars. That’s my motivation. That inspires me. I got an offer to play at one of Hollywood’s most iconic and historic landmarks, AVALON. AVALON has hosted artists such as Tiesto, Marcus Schulz, Paul Oakenfold and Skrillex. I barely remember my first show. I was nervous, excited, scared and feeling almost every emotion I could possibly feel. I do remember people coming up to me and asking to take photos with me and dancing during my whole set. I’ve been lucky enough to play at AVALON a couple of times, but the first one stands out as my favorite show I have played to date. It was a feeling and a night I will never forget.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I fully believe in taking risks. Its’s a key factor for me in living a fulfilled life. Whether it’s starting a business, going for a dream or throwing yourself into an experience that scares you, doing new things is important. It changes you and you learn you can handle more than previously thought. Aside from pursuing a career in music, one of the biggest risk I’ve taken was a solo backpack trip around Europe. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but also the best. It changed me in so many ways and changed my view on life and how I choose to live. I love to travel alone and immerse myself in new cultures. I always try and encourage people to go for a risk in their life. It makes life worth living even though it is often daunting. I live by a quote from Vincent Van Gogh, “What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lewus.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itslewus/
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/lewusmusic
