It’s been a very long time since we’ve caught up with world-beating industrial rock artist, Jayce Lewis. Now, 10 years deep into his career, we thought it’d be a nice time to catch up…
What is motivating you in 2019?
Very different things to 10 years ago. In 2009 I had this raging fire to get all over the place with this sound and a statement on mental health, industry politics and so on.
Now, I feel quite settled in what I’ve done with that… So, new horizons for me, things like Brexit, the farce of government and my increasing astonishment in religion and its place in the world today…it all contributes to my subject matter in making music.
Why do you think people got behind your alternative sound so early on?
I’m not sure, I think conviction had a lot to do with it, I don’t regard my sound as ground-breaking, or even massively new, but something about it captured attention, and attention I never thought it would ever get… The mainstream side were very confused by how one person can play all the instruments to a level of a touring band, that really did freak them.
What inspires you outside of music, I don’t mean the names associated with you – I mean locations, specific people and places?
The world and culture have a massive play in inspiration for me, I’ve been everywhere now, all over the world, and love the differing communities, culture etc.
As I mentioned, religion for me, is a big subject matter and something I discuss and digest a lot, I have learned and keep learning a lot about science from greats like Prof Dawkins.
What are the biggest challenges you face now?
I think the biggest has to be longevity, I’m 10 years in now…. And keeping this beast moving has its issues both inside and out.
It can be so exhausting, and sometimes is a love/hate type relationship. What keeps me going mostly is how it seems to have really inspired people, how how they continue to inspire me! So onwards we go…
What advice would you give to emerging artists, who are motivated by your success?
The advice I would give them is, ask yourself what you are doing this for….. If it is for adoration and validation, then please see someone about that, it will be a cancer in your art, BUT if you do it for a sincere, creative outlet, then… You will always be relevant!
