SG Lewis

Summary

Samuel George Lewis (born 9 July 1994) is an English singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. He is mostly known for collaborating with many artists from Tove Lo, Dua Lipa, Mabel, Victoria Monét, Lucky Daye, Jessie Ware, JP Cooper, Raye and Ray BLK to Bruno Major, Frances, Clairo and LANY.

SG Lewis
Born
Samuel George Lewis

(1994-07-09) 9 July 1994 (age 29)
Reading, England, United Kingdom
CitizenshipBritish
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • record producer
  • instrumentalist
Years active2014–present
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • electric guitar
  • keyboards
  • bass guitar
Labels
Websitewww.sglewismusic.com

Career edit

2014–2016: Career beginnings edit

A native of Reading, England, Lewis first became interested in music in his teens and played in several bands before he started experimenting with remixing tracks. Influenced by the introspective pop of Bon Iver and James Blake, as well as the club-ready hip-hop of artists like Common, Timbaland, and The Neptunes, Lewis began posting his own evocative, moody tracks online. He quickly built a loyal following, and eventually secured a residency DJing at Liverpool's Chibuku Club.[2] He stated, "Being a resident DJ at Chibuku in Liverpool was fundamental. It allowed me to spend a lot of time behind the decks and see a different top DJ every week. Genre-wise, Chibuku has had everything: house, dubstep, techno, drum 'n' bass. The first night I went to, Ben Klock was playing downstairs and Andy C upstairs. There aren't many places in the world where you'd get those two on the same line-up. You have this new wave of electronic producers who are largely SoundCloud-based, making electronic music without any thought to the club. That's great. But there's so much to be learned from the old-school approach of resident DJing."[3]

In 2014, Lewis signed his debut record deal with PMR Records, who gives a home to other artists such as Jessie Ware and Disclosure, describing it as an incredibly exciting moment for him. He said, "I spent every day of the summer in my bedroom writing a load of music. My friend Grant had started managing me, and he was meeting a load of people in London. My music got sent round by some A&R's, who passed it on to the PMR guys. PMR Records was one of my favourite labels at the time, so when they called us in for a meeting I was so excited. I had no idea they were interested in signing me, but after one meeting and playing everything I had, they decided to sign me straight away!"[4] After being signed, he grabbed the attention of Disclosure and they invited him to play at a 2,000-year-old castle in Ibiza with them.[5]

In 2015, he released his debut extended play, entitled Shivers, which features guest appearances from Louis Mattrs and JP Cooper.

In 2016, he released his second extended play, entitled Yours, which features its lead single and title track, "Yours", featuring un-credited vocals from rising singer-songwriter Raye. He also collaborated on songs with Howard Lawrence and Gallant.

2017–2019: Dusk, Dark and Dawn edit

Throughout 2017, he began releasing more singles and got brought to the attention of Virgin EMI Records to which he was signed to later on. In 2018, he announced that he was working on his debut album, which was set to be released in three parts or extended plays – later revealed to be named Dusk, Dark and Dawn. The project's lead single and first song to be released from Dusk was also revealed, entitled "Aura", featuring vocals from J Warner, which was done so on 18 January 2018. It was shortly succeeded by "Coming Up" released as its second single. Dusk was released on 6 April 2018.

Later on in the year, he went to work on music in Los Angeles, where he made and released two breakthrough collaborations – "Better", with American bedroom producer Clairo, and "Hurting", featuring British dance music duo AlunaGeorge. "Better" was described by Clairo as "one of the first big steps [she's] made into pop music" and also one of her first proper collaborations with another artist.[6] The song was also praised when it was named Clara Amfo’s "Track of the Week". As well as being played across Radio 1, 1xtra and Beats1, the track reached the number one spot on the iTunes Electronic Chart.

Prior to the release of Dark, SG Lewis released two more songs called "A.A.T.", featuring Drew Love, and "Again", featuring Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs,.[7] Dark was eventually released on 9 November 2018, featuring additional collaborations from affiliate Bruno Major and Dot Major.[8]

In 2019, he released the first single, entitled "Blue", from the third and supposedly last phase of his debut album Dawn.[9][non-primary source needed] The second single from Dawn, entitled "Throwaway", was released as the second collaborative track between Lewis and Clairo, after "Better". Lewis said about the song, "Clairo is one of my favourite artists to work with, and a good friend of mine" says SG: “Throwaway was written in LA one evening – we were both super tired and had some shit going on in our respective personal lives. We sat and talked for ages, and after that Throwaway flowed out in no time at all. Clairo is such a special artist and an incredible songwriter, and I’m super proud of this song."[10]

Later on in the year, he made his second appearance at Coachella in April, where he performed alongside AlunaGeorge and Col3trane, among others. He also teased an unreleased track with Australian singer Ruel, which was announced to be the third track from Dawn. It was later revealed to be called "Flames" and was released on 10 May 2019. Lewis said about the song, "I was put onto Ruel's music about 18th months ago, and watching his growth since then has been amazing. He's got such soul to his voice for someone of his age, it's crazy. "Flames" is the final preview of Dawn before the whole thing drops, and I can't wait to share the whole thing."[11] He also announced that he was to perform in Dreamland Margate in June of this year and also at Printworks in London on 1 February 2020, making it his biggest headline show to date.

2020-present: Times and AudioLust & HigherLove edit

Lewis' debut album, Times, was released on 19 February 2021.[12] In fall of 2022, he embarked on a North American tour to promote his upcoming album.[13] His second album AudioLust & HigherLove was released on January 27, 2023.[14]

Lewis performed at the 22nd Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2023.[15] He launched his own record label, Forever Days Recordings on February 21, 2024 with the goal of creating a space to release "music strictly for the dancefloor".[16]

Discography edit

Studio albums edit

Title Details Peak chart positions
UK
[17]
UK
Dance

[18]
SCO
[19]
Times 46 1
AudioLust & HigherLove
  • Released: 27 January 2023
  • Label: Virgin EMI, PMR
  • Format: Digital download, streaming, CD, LP
99

Extended plays edit

Title Details
Shivers[20]
Yours[21]
  • Released: 18 August 2016
  • Label: PMR
  • Format: Digital download
Dusk
  • Released: 6 April 2018
  • Label: Virgin EMI, PMR
  • Format: Digital download
Dark
  • Released: 9 November 2018
  • Label: Virgin EMI, PMR
  • Format: Digital download
Dawn

Singles edit

As lead artist edit

List of singles, with year released, selected chart positions, and album name shown
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
NZ
Hot

[23]
US
Dance/
Elec.

[24]
US
Dance
Air.

[25]
"Warm" 2015 39 Shivers EP
"No Less"
(featuring Louis Mattrs)
"Shivers"
(featuring JP Cooper)
"All Night"
(featuring Dornik)
2016 Non-album single
"Yours" Yours EP
"Holding Back"
(featuring Gallant)
"Meant to Be"
"Times We Had"
(featuring Toulouse)
2017 Non-album singles
"Smart Aleck Kill"
(with Col3trane)
"Aura"
(featuring J Warner)
2018 Dusk EP
"Coming Up"
"Better"
(with Clairo)
31 8pm EP
"Hurting"
(featuring AlunaGeorge)
42 9 Dark EP
"A.A.T."
(featuring Drew Love)
"Again"
(featuring Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs)
"Blue" 2019 Dawn EP
"Throwaway"
(with Clairo)
29 45
"Flames"
(featuring Ruel)
35
"Chemicals"[26] 2020 27 Times
"Experience"
(with Victoria Monét and Khalid)
Jaguar
"Impact"
(with Robyn and Channel Tres)[27]
25 Times
"Feed the Fire"
(with Lucky Daye)[28]
32
"Time"
(with Rhye)[29]
42
"One More"
(featuring Nile Rodgers)[30]
2021 31
"Missing You"[31] 2022 AudioLust & HigherLove
"Something About Your Love"
"Vibe Like This"
(featuring Lucky Daye and Ty Dolla Sign)
31
"Infatuation"
"Call on Me"
(with Tove Lo)
27 Dirt Femme and

AudioLust & HigherLove

"Pineapple Slice"
(with Tove Lo)
48 Dirt Femme
"Lifetime" AudioLust & HigherLove
"Fever Dreamer"
(featuring Charlotte Day Wilson and Channel Tres)[32]
2023
"Costa"
(with Chloe Caillet)
2024 Non-album single
"Simple Times"
(with DJ Seinfeld)
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As featured artist edit

Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Dance/
Elec.
"Chill Out"
(Ray BLK featuring SG Lewis)
2016 Durt EP
"I Keep On"[33]
(Nylo featuring KYLE and SG Lewis)
2018 Non-album single
"Warrior"
(Aluna featuring SG Lewis)
2020 Renaissance
"mr. useless"
(Shygirl featuring SG Lewis)
2024 38 Club Shy

Guest appearances edit

Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"No Less" 2017 G-Eazy, Louis Mattrs The Beautiful & Damned
"Pressure" 2020 James Vickery Overture
"Call on Me" 2022 Tove Lo Dirt Femme
"Pineapple Slice"

Songwriting and production credits edit

Year Artist Title Album Role
2015 Leo Kalyan "Fairground" Silver Linings - EP Producer
Astronomyy "Somethin About U" Non-album single
2016 KINGDM "Baby" feat. Kevin Garrett Writer
2017 Dave "100 M's" Writer & Producer
Paloma Faith & John Legend "I'll Be Gentle" The Architect Guitar
2018 LANY "Let Me Know" Malibu Nights Writer & Producer
2019 Aaron Carpenter "Attitude" Non-album single
James Vickery "Pressure" Overture EP
2020 Kelsea Ballerini "The Way I Used To" Kelsea Writer
Dua Lipa "Hallucinate" Future Nostalgia Writer & Producer
2021 "Live to Survive" Motordrome
Jessie Ware "Hot n Heavy" What's Your Pleasure: Platinum Edition
Jodie Harsh "No Sleep" Non-album single
Mabel "Let Them Know", About Last Night...
James Vickery "Finally" Songs That Made Me Feel
Col3trane "Californication (Feels Like I'm Falling in Love)" Lush Life
Elton John "Orbit" The Lockdown Sessions
Smoko Ono & RICH "Moonlight" Non-album single
2022 Jaded "Moment" with Camden Cox Writer
Mabel "Let Love Go" with Lil Tecca About Last Night... Writer & Producer

[34]

Remixes edit

Title Year Artist
"You & I (Forever)" 2015 Jessie Ware
"Magnets"
(featuring Lorde)
Disclosure
"One More Night" 2016 Michael Kiwanuka
"Big Picture" 2017 London Grammar
"Say It"
(featuring Tove Lo)
Flume
"New Rules" Dua Lipa
"Faded/2am"
(featuring GoldLink)
2019 Lila Drew
"Sexy Black Timberlake" Channel Tres
"More Than A Woman"
(SG's Paradise Edit)[35]
2021 Bee Gees
"I'm Every Woman" 2022 Whitney Houston
"To Be Honest" 2023 Christine and the Queens

References edit

  1. ^ Odutola, Tayo (8 July 2021). "James Vickery shares the SG Lewis-produced "Finally"". Earmilk. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  2. ^ "SG Lewis biography". Last.fm.
  3. ^ "A mix and five things you should know about SG Lewis". Redbull.com. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  4. ^ "Interview #31: SG Lewis". Doyoulikethatsong.com. 3 April 2016.
  5. ^ "SG Lewis Tickets and Gigs 2019 – GiggedIn". Giggedin.com.
  6. ^ Ruder, Claire (11 July 2018). "Unexpected pair SG Lewis and Clairo release "Better"— a modern disco bop". Earmilk.
  7. ^ "SG Lewis and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs link up on 'Again'". Dancingastronaut.com. 6 November 2018.
  8. ^ "SG Lewis Releases New Track 'Again' Ft Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs". Volatileweekly.com. 6 November 2018.
  9. ^ Lewis, S. G. (17 February 2019). "The first single from Phase 3, 'Dawn' is out now Listen to 'Blue'". Twitter.com.
  10. ^ "SG Lewis releases new collaborative single with Clairo 'Throwaway'". Dubiks.com. 15 March 2019.
  11. ^ "SG Lewis releases new single 'Flames' feat Ruel". Totalntertainmemnt.com. 10 May 2019.
  12. ^ "First Spin: The Week's Best New Dance Tracks From Dawn Richard, Kaytranada, Purple Disco Machine & More". Billboard. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  13. ^ "SG Lewis Announces First North American Tour In Three Years".
  14. ^ "SG Lewis Releases New Album "AudioLust & HigherLove"". 27 January 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  15. ^ "SG Lewis is taking on Coachella with over 1 billion streams and all-star collaborations under his belt". autos.yahoo.com. 21 April 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  16. ^ "Sg Lewis Launches New Label to Release "Music Made Strictly for the Dancefloor"". edm.com. 21 February 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  17. ^ "SG Lewis | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  18. ^ "Official Dance Albums Chart Top 40: 26 February 2021 – 4 March 2021". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
  19. ^ Peak chart positions on the Scottish Albums Chart:
    • AudioLust & HigherLove: "Official Scottish Albums Chart: 3 February 2023 – 9 February 2023". Official Charts Company.
  20. ^ "Shivers – EP by SG Lewis". Music.apple.com.
  21. ^ "Yours – EP by SG Lewis". Music.apple.com.
  22. ^ "SG Lewis reveals third and final chapter of concept album Dawn". Broadway World. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  23. ^ Peaks on the NZ Hot Singles Chart:
    • For "Throwaway": "NZ Hot Singles Chart for the chart dated 24 March 2019". Recorded Music NZ. 24 March 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
    • For "Flames": "NZ Hot Singles Chart for the chart dated 19 May 2019". Recorded Music NZ. 19 May 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  24. ^ "SG Lewis Chart History: Hot Dance/Electronic Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
  25. ^ "SG Lewis Chart History: Dance/Mix Show Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
  26. ^ Robert Ross, Alex (24 April 2020). "Hear SG Lewis's slinky new song 'Chemicals'". The Fader. Archived from the original on 8 May 2020. Retrieved 8 May 2020.
  27. ^ Jones, Damian (5 August 2020). "Listen to 'Impact' – featuring Robyn, Channel Tres and SG Lewis". NME. Archived from the original on 17 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  28. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (27 October 2020). "SG Lewis announces debut album, links with Lucky Daye for lead outing 'Feed The Fire'". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  29. ^ "SG Lewis navigates "Time" and its perils on his new single". happymag. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
  30. ^ "SG Lewis releases single featuring Nile Rodgers, "One More"". NME. 3 February 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  31. ^ Zurzolo, Veronica (8 July 2022). "Listen: SG Lewis - Missing You/ Something About Your Love". PileRats. Retrieved 9 July 2022.
  32. ^ "Listen: SG Lewis - Fever Dreamer". PileRats. 13 January 2023. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  33. ^ "I Keep On (feat. KYLE & SG Lewis) – Single by Nylo". Music.apple.com.
  34. ^ Individual song credits on Spotify
  35. ^ Kupfer, Rachel (27 June 2021). "SG Lewis Goes Back in Time With Remix of "More Than A Woman" By the Bee Gees". EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists. Retrieved 16 February 2022.