MORE VIDEO!
Rose and I drove thousands of miles on our tour around the States, on the second day of the tour the CD player in the car broke....which turned out to be a blessing in disguise as we ended up rehearsing and even writing songs in the car...this particular song Burn So Fast is a song of mine originally written with a jazzy piano part but Rose and I came up with this accapella arrangement in the car. Filmed on the day I was leaving, Rose and I had a crazy media day...recording and mixing songs, making video's etc...we managed to grab Rose's flat mate Brian for 5 mins to shoot this film which was shot round the corner from Rose's house in Boston. If you like this check out the links to more video's below on my last news entry.
****July 2nd 2007****
VIDEO
I have just bought myself an up to date apple mac computer which is very cool and can do amazing things like video editing amongst other stuff etc...so thought I'd share some of the video's that were made in the states by Rose Polenzani and I whilst we were on tour there in June. Rose has the same computer as me and we recorded these 2 video's on my last night in Boston.
To say farewell Rose put on a dinner party for me and invited her muso friends round who are in a band called Session Americana, after dinner all eight of us crammed into Roses tiny office and made these video's....I hope you enjoy watching them as much as we did making them.
We wrote the Ukelele Song on the road, Rose at the wheel and and me on the ukelele....it's our first ever composition together. I think it has a mexican feel to it so we came up with an alternative title called Vi La Puerta ( I saw the door )
Here I Go Again is a cover of the famous Whitesnake song.
CHICAGO
Hello folks I am writing to you from Chicago mid tour with Rose....we are staying with Rose's parents, downstairs I hear Rose's mum playing the piano and outside I hear the cicadas ebbing and flowing like the tide, it's an incredible sound...they sound like one of those rain sticks that you turn upside down, Rose describes the sound as a highway in the sky. Apparantly every seventeen years the cicada eggs hatch from under the ground, they come out in a shell which they eventually break out of..... grow wings, fly, mate, bury their eggs in the ground and then die....the eggs gestating underground for another 17 years.
The tour has been going really well so far and all the concerts have been wonderful....thanks to all the amazing people we have met along the way who have put us up, fed us and shared stages with us. Rose and I have also made a mini album together for the tour called Kings and Queens which is also the title of one of my songs. If you want to see pictures of the tour, Rose has a gallery up at her site www.rosepolenzani.com I also have a song recorded from our Atlanta show up on my myspace page and a video go to www.myspace.com/sharonlewis.
****June 2007****
SHARON LEWIS AND ROSE POLENZANI AMERICAN TOUR
I am delighted to announce that Rose and I will be re-uniting for a summer tour, updated on the gigs page are all the US dates throughout June. I will be performing new songs and we will be releasing an ep of songs recorded together.
****March 12th 2007****
SPRING SONG
Happy Spring everyone! time to brush away the cobwebs and breathe new life...I have quite a few gigs coming up listed on the gigs page. In April I make a little tour with London songstress Katy Carr, the tour is called Ramble My Rose and we will be playing lot's of house concerts, village halls and unique venues up and down the country. If anyone is interested in hosting a concert do get intouch, we are trying to build a network of people who like this concept and are open to having music performed in their home, garden, local book shop....
I have also been rehearsing with a band which is keeping me inspired and taking my songs in a new direction, will let you know when our debut show is.
****September 3rd 2006****
AUTUMN SUN
Hello folks, it's September again and the summers cooling down, Autumn is blowing in...I have a few September gigs listed on my gigs page and would love to see some of your friendly faces there. I have also been writing a blog at www.myspace.com/sharonlewis where I have written about my recent trip to Majorca recording with 1 Giant Leap and other stuff that interests me like dancing. I hope everyone has had a wonderful summer, our's was short but sweet. Here in England we count ourselves lucky if we have a summer at all.
****April 25th 2006****
BRIGHTON FRINGE FESTIVAL
During this years Brighton Fringe Festival I will be performing each week at The Sanctuary Cafe. Under the banner Birds Of Paradise I have invited an exotic flock of songwriters, dreamers and poets to join me.
Featured artists include the wonderful ADRIEN MUNDEN ( Audioporn ) performing a solo acoustic set, brilliant gothic poetess NAOMI FOYLE, quirky and theatrical popsters CHARLEYVILLE, Oxford romantic MATT SAGE and his Orchestra of Love, heartbraker MARK ABIS famous for writing Summer Breeze (recorded by Emiliana Torrini). Dark brooding country from NICK BARREL and THE GIN CLUB plus beauty weavers THE DRESS CIRCLE.
I am really excited about all the artists performing. Please see the gigs page for dates, times etc... you can also book tickets from The Fringe Office tel 01273 709709. Booking is advisable as it is a small venue, title of the show Sharon Lewis.
TUNE IN
I will be performing live on Brighton's Juice 107.2 FM throughout May, also performing in the studio will be special guests from the BIRDS OF PARADISE series. Tune in between 10 and 12 midnight Thursday 4th May, Thursday 11th May, and Thurs 18th May....
****February 10th 2006****
TRUE LOVE
I played at a club called Ginglik on Wednesday night, the place is situated in the middle of Shephards Bush Green London and apparantly used to be a toilet. It was an acoustic night and each act played 4 songs. What was really interesting about the evening was the live illustrater Gailen, who drew everyone's songs. There was a slide projecter so we could all see the sketches take shape. After my set I purchased all four pictures for a tenner.
Above is his interpretation of my song True Love, as you can see it's a bitter sweet love song.
Also I met a lovely woman called who is a beautiful singer and she has invited me to join her at The 12 Bar Club, London next Thursday night. I will put more info on the gigs page.
ALBUM REVIEW
Review of The Hour Lilies by America's no1 online independant music store CDbaby.com
After touring the world and releasing four albums with the female
duo, Pooka, queen of melody, Sharon Lewis, shows off her solo
writing, her charm and magical touch for subtlety and nuance. The
Hour Lilies is a breathtaking, stunning album- the type that finds
you with your eyes closed, head bowed, breathing deep and slow. With
a balanced feel for the reserved, dreamy qualities as well as clarity
and direction, her songs all contain a flowering quality, a
mesmerizing haze of exquisite feeling. Highly recommended.
****January 27th 2006****
BERLIN
Hello folks
Just confirmed that I will be playing in Berlin on March 2nd at East Of Eden book store. Go to gigs page for more info. I am really looking forward to going back there, it's such a fascinating city.
Also I have just started playing Keyboards and singing back up with my friends Nick Barrel and Dave Roncetti, their band is called The Gin Club and it's gorgeous music. We are playing on Sunday if you fancy it.... see gig page for details.
****January 25th 2006****
GOODBYE 2005
I wish everyone a very happy new year. I would also like to say goodbye to a couple of old friends
ODE TO BRIAN
My friend and fellow musician Brian Glancy died on Saturday. I didn't know Brian that well, but we go back many years to my Manchester days. I met Brian through my friend Johnny, they used to play in a band together.
Brian was a regular at The New Troubadour Club which was a songwriters night that my friend Paul Chi used to run in Manchester. I met some wonderfully talented and eccentric characters at that club. Brian was a great songwriter with originality and a strong northern style.
After I moved to Brighton I would occasionaly see Brian when he played a gig down south, fortunately last year I got to see him on a couple of occasions.
I was really touched when he turned up to a house concert that Paul and I played in Prestwich last April, he put the word out and brought all his family and friends along and also played a couple of songs.
The second occasion was August when Rose Polenzani and I played the Night And Day Cafe in Manchester, he didn't know we were playing and had just gone there for a drink. He'd just missed our show but I got to chat with him.
My heart goes out to Brian's family, phill, David, Rob, Zoey.
Brian lives on in memory and music.
ODE TO JOHN
John Price passed away November. We used to play in an Irish band together when I was about 19, I played accordian, John played Irish drum and Tabla, Patrick on banjo and Eddie Boyd on guitar. I loved being part of that band, they were all amazing musicians and I got to sing some great Irish songs too. We played together for about a year and then I left manchester to study in Nottingham.
John also played on the first Pooka album. I didn't really keep intouch with John over the years but have really strong memories of that time together.
After I heard the news of John's death I headed off to the park to be alone and remember him. I walked for a while and ended up in a cafe...how strange that the music playing as I entered was The song Of The Chanter which was one of the Irish tunes we used to play together.
****December 22nd 2005****
HAPPY CHRISTMAS
Hi there, it's been an exciting December so far. Our friends Nizlopi are at no 1 in the British pop charts! their music is beautifull, go buy the single The JCB song, it will make a great Christmas present. Also just written a song with my friend Matt Sage. Here's a picture of us recording it at my flat. The title is I'm In Love With A Boy and it's full of longing.
I will be playing a show with Matt in April so hopefully we will get a chance to play it then.
Wishing everyone a Happy Christmas/Channuka/winter
****December 5th 2005****
MY SPACE
I have recently joined Myspace and have a profile at www.myspace.com/sharonlewis
You can listen to a couple of new recordings there, She Is A Rainbow as a duet with Rose Polenzani and Waiting Game recorded in the States with Rose and Josh Cole.
****October 30th 2005****
AUTUMN
The autumn is falling, moody skies and tumbling waves thrash against the shores of Brighton beach.
New in ' Crazy October Days ' video on Music + Video page and also pics from mine and Rose's summer tour on Photo's page.
Also there is an interview with myself and Natasha Jones from Pooka in a new online music magazine dedicated to female muso's called Wears The Trousers. Go check it out! it's a great site.
****August 29th 2005****
TOUR PHOTO'S
Writing to you from The Malverns, Worcestershire. We have had a couple of idyllic days spent with Julia and her family, who hosted our house concert. On Saturday I took Rose on a walk up the hill, it was so steep!. But when we reached the top, so beautiful. We had a great view of the town and surrounding countryside. On the way down we took a more winding route and chatted about Paul Simon's music and lyrics. We are both big fan's.
When I get back to Brighton I shall put my photo's online but in the meantime you can
see loads of pics on Rose's gallery. Go to www.rosepolenzani.com.
****August 3rd 2005****
GIG CHANGE
Rose and I just got back from our first gig tonight. It was a great show and it was so much fun to sing with Rose again.
Just wanted to let you know there has been a change of address for The Loughborough gig on the 18th of August.
Go to gig's page for more info.
****July 20th 2005****
POIGNANT
A strange word to spell. I went to a gig last night and heard a songwriter called Danny George Wilson. He was a very moving lyricist. In one particular song 'I will be there for you' inspired by the burning down of Brighton's West Pier, he compares the decaying pier to the unquestionable love and strength he shares with his wife. This song made me yearn and cry. Another song ' Ladder To The Stars ' dedicated to his brother he reflects on their childhood and how as they have grown older they rarely have time to see each other. Poignant and Heartfelt stuff!
****July 18th 2005****
UK TOUR DATES
If you go to the gigs page you can see new tour dates for August. Joining me on this tour is American songwriter Rose Polenzani. Last year I toured the US with Rose and I'm really excited to have her on the road with me. Our first show will be in Brighton at The Sussex Arts Club on the 3rd August. Also on the bill are the fantastic Mountain Firework Company. Other gigs take us to Wales, Cornwall, Nottingham, Leicester, Manchester, London etc...Hope to see you there!
We are also open to playing some house concerts. If anyone is interested in hosting one please email me via this site.
****May 24th 2005****
RADIO DATE
Just to remind you that I will be on BBC SOUTHERN COUNTIES radio this Thursday 26th of May.
The programme goes out live from 7-8pm British time. It covers East and West Sussex, Surrey and bits of Kent. The frequencis are as follows: 95-95.3 (Brighton) and 104-104.8 (Sussex and Surrey), or listen online at www.bbc.co.uk
****March 31st 2005****
LIVE RADIO
Hi folks, sorry this is late notice but I will be on the radio tomorrow Friday 1st April at 4.30pm till 5.30pm, speaking and singing live. The station is Resonance FM 104.4FM. You can get this station if you live in London, if not tune in online at www.resonancefm.com. I will also be on BBC Southern Counties radio on Thursday the 26th of May between 7 and 8pm, this is a local station for East Sussex but I imagiane you can get this online too.
****March 22nd 2005****
ALBUM REVIEW
Listening to Sharon Lewis's first solo record is like stepping into a waking dream in which birds and butterflies flutter around your ears, telling you secrets and whispering sweet tales of life at the bottom of the garden.
As one half of the acclaimed duo Pooka, Sharon cut a series of genre defining records that won her global recognition as a songwriter of panache and vision and a singer of crystal-cut clarity. For The Hour Lilies, Sharon has gone right back to basics, and the transition has paid off. This is a classy, 9-song debut that sparkles with linguistic wit and integrity and transcends the norm with breathless ease. April Fool‚ which darkly celebrates honesty and its trappings, pulls you effortlessly into Sharon's melancholic world and offset by the resonant cello, her voice appears angelic and guiding. Indeed, Sharon seems to want to give us all a big hug because the world's so tough and nasty. "It's ok to be a lost soul", she sings on Lost Soul‚ "put your head down and I'll let you sleep". The churlish among you may dismiss these sentiments as cute or even patronising, but Sharon's poetic phrasing and delicate voice unravel the cynic within and disarm those thoughts. She's right of course, the world really is nasty, and most of us could do with more hugs. Sparsely punctuated by bass, drums and the soaring flute of Ian Price, Leaving on a Ship‚ is a fine allegorical lament for lost love. Using the analogy of pulling away from England on a ship, she reminds us how our perceptions of situations change the further we become removed from them, it's the albums most powerful statement and it's one of those songs that stays with you after one listen. On Avaddon‚ (destruction), she shifts her perspective to tackle the feelings of hurt and resentment that follow infidelity. Unafraid to describe her bitterness, she transcendently surmises that "deceit, breeds deceit" and reminds us that revenge is never really sweet if it's taken against someone we love or once loved.
The Hour Lilies is a fragile and beautiful record. Sharon is an artist who has clearly stepped out of the shadow of her former success and taken a step forward in her evolution as a songwriter. Her extraordinary ability to make the personal universal is what makes her special. Throughout the album she tells you things that you feel are for you alone, secrets, lies, whispers and myths. There is so much strength in this music, hiding behind paper-thin masks of fragility and delicateness. It's a dualism that makes her work nothing less than vital.
Jonny Wright - 09/03/05
****March 7th 2005****
ALL WE NEED IS RADIO GOO GOO RADIO GA GA
I loved Freddie Mercury and Queen, but that is not the reason for my news update. I know it's a little short notice but I will be appearing on the radio tomorrow evening from 7-8.30 pm British time. The station is Resonance FM and I believe you can get it online. However if you live in London you can catch the air waves for real and tune in on your radio. It's a cool independant station right in the heart of Soho, London.
The show coincides with womens day, also featured will be poetess and writer Naomi Foyle, singer-fiddler Elle Osborne and songwriter Katy Carr. We will be chatting live and performing live on air too, hope you can tune in.
If you miss this show I will also be performing live on Brighton radio station Juice FM on Monday the 21st of March. Show starts at 10.15pm.
HOUSE CONCERTS
During the month of April, myself and musical innovator Paul Chi will be doing a national house concert tour. If anybody in the UK or internationally would like to host a concert in their home please email me. I would be interested to keep a database of people who are open to this concept.
What does it involve? you may be asking. Basically it's a concert of live acoustic music in your living room or garden ( we have played quaker houses and churches too ) for a small gathering of people from 25 to however many people you can get in or would like. There is a charge of around £6 ( sometimes a bit more sometimes less) for each audience member, but if it is your house you get the concert for free. The concerts have been running very successfully here in Brighton for many years and we are hoping that we can get them going all over the world. For more info go to Healthyconcerts
Details of this tour will be posted on the Gigs page soon.
Also there is a Magic Baby website up now.
****February 12th 2005****
BRIGHTON ROCKS
I went to a gig tonight at the university and I saw a great new band called The Hat. The music was a blend of spoken word and funky beats delivered by charismatic front man Dan Clark and co. I think they had a distinctly Brighton style which I would describe as eccentric and whimsical. It always amazes me the breadth of talent in this small city. I don't know why the music industry keeps sending their A&R representatives all the way up north when all they need do is jump on the train at London Victoria and head south for 40 mins. This is where it's happening, Brighton is a creative volcano about to erupt! watch out!
****January 21st 2005****
MAGIC BABY EP
I am pleased to announce the birth of the Magic Baby EP. Quite different to my solo stuff. Magic Baby is a musical collaboration between myself and my good friend Chris Kirkland. Not only is it our band name but we also have a song with the same title. The EP has 5 songs on it, here are the titles:
1. Not sure where to start
2. Fountains
3. The Cherry Song
4. Who Told You?
5. Magic Baby
The last song 'Magic Baby' is also on The Hour Lilies CD. You can hear a sample of it on the music + video page.
Also featured on the EP is Paul Chi (aka Mrs Chi for his love of wearing skirts and dresses ).All songs are written and performed by Chris and I and the EP is now available to buy from the shop.
More info and MP3's coming soon.
A while ago I put a little video clip of Magic Baby on this news page. The song we are performing is called Sugar Cube. If you would like to see it again or have not seen it and would like to click here.
****January 8th 2005****
NEW PHOTO'S
At last! the tour photo's are now up on the Photo Page. There are also some new pics of me on Brighton beach and some new/old Pooka photo's too. Different galleries can be viewed by clicking on the links at the bottom of each photo page.
Also, if you would like to write a review of The Hour Lilies or a live review you can do so on the Healthyconcerts website. It's a really interesting site about house concerts and has lot's of great artists on there too.
****January 3rd 2005****
ALBUM REVIEW
The Hour Lilies has just been reviewed at Musical Discoveries click on link to read it. By the way, I just bought Ron Sexsmith's new album Retriever and it's absolutely gorgeous! Thanks again for everyone's support and encouragement over the years, it means alot to me.
Sharon x
****December 30th 2004****
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Hello people, my friend Azita took this photo of me on Brighton beach next to the decrepit West Pier. The more photo's she took the sillier my poses became. Here I am attempting a yoga pose correctly termed Virabhadrasana 3, but I should have had my arms forward and palms touching ( incase anyone wants to try it, it's a good one! ).
Actually, it's not unusual to see people practising Yoga or Tai Chi on the beach here, it's that kind of place.
Well... I would like to take this oppurtunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year and also to say some thankyou's.
Many thanks to Jack Mcangus for maintaining the web page, Rose Polenzani, Bryna Ziobro and Josh Cole for making the US tour happen and all friends and family who let us stay with them and fed us ( Denise and Duby, Deborah, the Ziobro's, the Polenzani's, Wayne and his dog, Chris in Madison, Matt, Christian in NYC, Aphsoon, Rose's friends in Minneapolis ). Jesse for lending me his US mobile phone, Peggy and Ethan for cooking us dinner in NYC. Gary Waldman for helping us out of a sticky situation. Mellissa Mclelland and Insomniac management for looking after us in Canada. Harry Shier for coming up with the design for my album cover, Chris Kirkland for designing it and for posting my drivers liscense to the US which involved tracking my friend down getting the keys to my flat and then locating it in my draw. Chris Page and Peter rainbird for helping with the running order of the tracks on the album. Charlie Villiers, Dave Roncetti, Mrs Chi, Mr Kirkland and Peter rainbird for lending there creative energies. Phill Ias for lending me his studio monitors and Dat machine. Azita Ghassemi and Tomas Shelp for photography. Tim Lowly for starting the ball rolling with the first booking in Chicago, Yael at the Quaker House, Natalie and Sandra for the wonderfull house concert in Washington, Mclelland House for the concert in Ithaca and thanks to all other promoters who booked our shows.
Thanks to all my Brighton friends and Healthy Concerts people, and finally thanks to everyone who visits this site, comes to the shows and supports independent music.
May the new year bring more peace, more love and more happiness.
Much Love and blessings Sharon xx
****November 14th 2004****
LOUNGE RECORDING
Live, in my living room, I just recorded a new song with my friend Peter
Rainbird. He played electric guitar and I sang. Amazing! we get it right away and go with the first take.
****November 10th 2004****
CHARLIES ANGELS
This photo was taken after the Chicago show featuring myself, Rose and Rachel Sage. More photo's soon...
****November 9th 2004****
RADIO PLAY
My new record The Hour Lilies is being played on Harris Radio, which is an independant internet radio station coming out of New York City. Click on the link to listen....
****November 4th 2004****
TOUR PHOTO'S
Here's a silly photo of myself, Rose and Josh cole ( the tour family ) taken just before the Providence show. Tour Gallery coming soon...
****October 20th 2004****
NEW GIG
One more gig has just come in for the tour on October 30th in Rockland MA ,check gig page for more details.
****October 15th 2004****
TOUR NEWS
Toronto...here I am...had a couple of days off catching up with family I have not seen for years. Yesterday I met with my uncle Ronald who is a wonderfull magician. Apart from chatting and catching up he showed me various card tricks which I was completely stunned by and even taught me one, but I had to swear I wouldn't tell anyone how to do it, " don't even tell your dad " he said in a serious tone " OK " I promised excited to be let in on a secret.
The past couple of show's were interesting as I lost my voice completely ( due to laryngitus ) and had to get Rose and Josh Cole ( our tour manager and fellow songwriter ) to sing my songs for me. Although it was a bit depressing not being able to sing my own songs myself, I got a kick out of hearing Rose and Josh sing the songs. Especially suprising was hearing Josh perform ' Lost Soul '. He sang it really beautifully and it was refreshing to hear it sung by a man.
Today we head to Hamilton and I am hoping for a little miracle that my voice will recover for tonights gig.
****September 24th 2004****
THE STORY
Thought you might like to see the press release for the US tour and hear the story of how I came to know Rose.
Sharon Lewis received an unexpected package at her flat in Brighton, England last year: A homemade tribute record to herself. American songwriter Rose Polenzani (who had long cited Sharon’ now-defunct duo Pooka as one her most important influences) had spent the late winter recording covers at home and while busking in the Boston subway. Rose wanted Sharon to know, especially in the wake of the duo’s breakup, that her music had meant the world to someone she’d never even met.
Meanwhile, also in the bitter cold, Sharon was busy bringing the House Concert Movement to the UK. She invited Rose to Brighton (her first-ever trip off the mainland), and they performed together, to the ardent delight of a crowded house on August 2nd, 2003.
These two artist will now reunite for a US tour in support of their latest albums: Sharon has just released The Hour Lilies, her debut solo record, and Rose has produced a new record entitled August, a misfit, intimate collection of
home recordings.
****September 20th 2004****
AMERICAN AND CANADIAN TOUR
I will be touring the US and Canada in October with Rose Polenzani, it's very exciting! see the gig page for dates. If I am in your town do come along and say hello.
****February 28th 2004****
GIG DATES ON MARS
I just wanted to show you this photo, click on image to enlarge .
****February 6th 2004****
Live video of Magic Baby performing in a living room featuring myself, Chris Kirkland and new magic baby Paul Chi. Click here to watch.
****January 12th 2004****
NEW RELEASE
On Kuma-chan records, Hot Hands - a tribute CD to Throwing Muses and Kristin Hersh. This album is a collection of covers performed by various musicians including one track, a collaboration between myself and Rose Polenzani. The track we chose to cover was Ellen West and was recorded whilst Rose visited England last year. Rose came up with the idea, we jammed, it sounded great and so the next day we went into the studio and it was done! And the line up for the track is: Rose - Guitar, Vocals, Sharon - Piano, Vocals, Percussion, Chris Kirkland - Double Bass.
It's a nice bit of nostalgia for me to cover this song, since my first American tour with Pooka was supporting Kristin Hersh.
Here is a photo of Rose, taken on the last night of her stay in Brighton. For those of you who don't know Rose, she is a very gifted singer and songwriter from Boston.
I had the pleasure of meeting her and her friend Bryna last summer when they came to stay for a week.
We performed at a house concert together, deep in the sussex countryside and entitled the evening 'It's all coming up roses.'
It was definately my favourite gig of the year!
Rose also recorded a CD with her singing some of mine and Natasha's songs that we wrote in the Pooka days. Such a huge compliment, and her voice and her arrangements of the songs were truly wonderfull.
****September 30th****
NEW DIGITAL CAMERA
I'm so happy with my new digital camera! here's my first photo of my piano and kitchen. Look out for more photo's on this page.
****August 7th****
NEW MP3 DOWNLOADS
Songs from MONDAY MOURNING and SHIFT to download on music page.
SHOP
Pooka CD's SHIFT, MONDAY MOURNING, and FOOLS GIVE BIRTH TO ANGELS available from Sharon's shop. All credit cards/switch accepted.
****February 10th 2006****
****December 22nd 2005****
****January 21st 2005****
****December 30th 2004****
****November 14th 2004****
****November 10th 2004****
****November 4th 2004****
****February 6th 2004****
****January 12th 2004****
Here is a photo of Rose, taken on the last night of her stay in Brighton. For those of you who don't know Rose, she is a very gifted singer and songwriter from Boston. 
****September 30th****