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www.ambiente.us AUGUST |AGOSTO 2010
“put you on a pedestal, you are the Chemical”
Review of Stewart Lewis’s album ‘The Chemical’
By Armando Diaz
I have not enjoyed a summer album like Stewart Lewis’s The Chemical (EP) since
the likes of KD Lang’s “Invincible Summer” or Smashing Pumpkins’ track
“Hummer”. Who my brother said they rocked of course the other night in Fort
Lauderdale. The Chemical (EP) is a follow up to 2003’s Clearer and Fear of
Falling. By the way an EP is like a mini version of a full album, it usually has 3-5
tracks on it most time. Back in the day an EP was also a single and those single
had (2) tracks an “A” side and a “B” side.
Stewart Lewis is a singer-songwriter based out of New York City. His soulful mix of
folk and pop have earned him the opportunity to open for such major artists as
Sheryl Crow, Ani Difranco, Shawn Colvin, Paula Cole, Roseanne Cash, and Patty
Larkin. His musical influences include Elbow, Imogen Heap, Damien Rice, Jason
Mraz, Sara Barreilles, and The Crazy World We Live In.
The Chemical (EP) is effervescent in it’s profundity, and unapologetic in its light
and airy revelation of intimacy. You can relate to the feelings we all get swept
in from time to time along with Stewarts dreamy echo vocals and the reality of
his guitar. Just insanely perfect for summer. Burgeoning summer loves, bright
feelings and warm security blankets throughout. The first track “Gravity” is the
greatest example of this, as the range of Stewarts voice goes from deep
security to high proclamations the chorus comes in right on time, “and now
somehow we found the unattainable, you and I.” The second track, “Leave The
“put you on a pedestal, you are the Chemical”
Review of Stewart Lewis’s album ‘The Chemical’
By Armando Diaz
I have not enjoyed a summer album like Stewart Lewis’s The Chemical (EP) since
the likes of KD Lang’s “Invincible Summer” or Smashing Pumpkins’ track
“Hummer”. Who my brother said they rocked of course the other night in Fort
Lauderdale. The Chemical (EP) is a follow up to 2003’s Clearer and Fear of
Falling. By the way an EP is like a mini version of a full album, it usually has 3-5
tracks on it most time. Back in the day an EP was also a single and those single
had (2) tracks an “A” side and a “B” side.
Stewart Lewis is a singer-songwriter based out of New York City. His soulful mix of
folk and pop have earned him the opportunity to open for such major artists as
Sheryl Crow, Ani Difranco, Shawn Colvin, Paula Cole, Roseanne Cash, and Patty
Larkin. His musical influences include Elbow, Imogen Heap, Damien Rice, Jason
Mraz, Sara Barreilles, and The Crazy World We Live In.
The Chemical (EP) is effervescent in it’s profundity, and unapologetic in its light
and airy revelation of intimacy. You can relate to the feelings we all get swept
in from time to time along with Stewarts dreamy echo vocals and the reality of
his guitar. Just insanely perfect for summer. Burgeoning summer loves, bright
feelings and warm security blankets throughout. The first track “Gravity” is the
greatest example of this, as the range of Stewarts voice goes from deep
security to high proclamations the chorus comes in right on time, “and now
somehow we found the unattainable, you and I.” The second track, “Leave The
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Armando | Who has been
your greatest musical
inspiration and why?
Stewart | Imogen Heap,
because her lyrics are
beautiful and touching,
and her music is like a lush
landscape I can always
get lost into.
Armando | Tell me how
being a father has
changed your life?
Affected your talent?
Stewart |It has helped me
to make better sense of
the world, and to get out
of "myself," be more
responsible. I suppose my
songs are maturing a little
because of it.
Armando | What is your
favorite movie of all time?
Stewart | I would have to
say Harold and Maude
(1971). There is something
so wonderful about seeing
such an unlikely
connection between such
mismatched people.
your greatest musical
inspiration and why?
Stewart | Imogen Heap,
because her lyrics are
beautiful and touching,
and her music is like a lush
landscape I can always
get lost into.
Armando | Tell me how
being a father has
changed your life?
Affected your talent?
Stewart |It has helped me
to make better sense of
the world, and to get out
of "myself," be more
responsible. I suppose my
songs are maturing a little
because of it.
Armando | What is your
favorite movie of all time?
Stewart | I would have to
say Harold and Maude
(1971). There is something
so wonderful about seeing
such an unlikely
connection between such
mismatched people.
| . |
Light On” is all about the hope drawn, the waiting and questioning a heart does
when it wishes and reaches for someone that may or may not be, but you still
leave the light on just in case. “One Thing” focuses on the act of forgiveness.
Break down the walls our hearts build up through rainstorms and telephone calls,
Stewart sings of pulling the light out of that dark history and if you have the
strength to break those walls down, all he asks is one thing and that is “forgive
me”. Then fourth track, “Out From Under” actually sounded like a perfect song
for a commercial for Amtrak speeding into the distance of some American
countryside, or families flying on JetBlue and having happy reunions at airports,
or a bunch of friends getting picked up form torn home situations only to feel
better once they’re all traveling in an SUV together. Overcoming whatever’s
ailing you. The album closes gracefully and powerfully with final track “The
Chemical”. This is my personal favorite, it’s the rush and passion of love, “with
every breath I take into me”, like one’s raw emotions and love for another are a
chemical dependency that “run right through me”. My favorite part is “all
these days, days that may be numbered, walk with me give me something to
remember, we can be bigger now than ever…..but you are the pedestal you
are the chemical”.
This album is the sweet release of the uncomplicated, no unsolved mysteries,
nothing terribly idealistic or preachy, nothing terribly bubbly or obnoxious. Just
honest human intimacy, an easy breeze of loving expression in a world that
seems to grow more in need of it daily. The signature sunny bright and summer
delights of The Chemical (EP) are just right.
The film and TV world have been taken by Stewart’s songs, which have been
featured on show’s such as Ghost Whisperer, MTV’s Laguna Beach, Joan of
Arcadia, Dawson’s Creek, Biggest Loser, and the 20th Century Fox feature film
Firehouse Dog.
when it wishes and reaches for someone that may or may not be, but you still
leave the light on just in case. “One Thing” focuses on the act of forgiveness.
Break down the walls our hearts build up through rainstorms and telephone calls,
Stewart sings of pulling the light out of that dark history and if you have the
strength to break those walls down, all he asks is one thing and that is “forgive
me”. Then fourth track, “Out From Under” actually sounded like a perfect song
for a commercial for Amtrak speeding into the distance of some American
countryside, or families flying on JetBlue and having happy reunions at airports,
or a bunch of friends getting picked up form torn home situations only to feel
better once they’re all traveling in an SUV together. Overcoming whatever’s
ailing you. The album closes gracefully and powerfully with final track “The
Chemical”. This is my personal favorite, it’s the rush and passion of love, “with
every breath I take into me”, like one’s raw emotions and love for another are a
chemical dependency that “run right through me”. My favorite part is “all
these days, days that may be numbered, walk with me give me something to
remember, we can be bigger now than ever…..but you are the pedestal you
are the chemical”.
This album is the sweet release of the uncomplicated, no unsolved mysteries,
nothing terribly idealistic or preachy, nothing terribly bubbly or obnoxious. Just
honest human intimacy, an easy breeze of loving expression in a world that
seems to grow more in need of it daily. The signature sunny bright and summer
delights of The Chemical (EP) are just right.
The film and TV world have been taken by Stewart’s songs, which have been
featured on show’s such as Ghost Whisperer, MTV’s Laguna Beach, Joan of
Arcadia, Dawson’s Creek, Biggest Loser, and the 20th Century Fox feature film
Firehouse Dog.
Armando | I love that movie, the scene when they’re in the field of daisies and Maude
is philosophising on the world and its problems comparing it to the field of flowers.
Great movie.
Armando | If you had (3) words to describe yourself what would they be?
Stewart | “creative, sensitive, and hopeful”
Armando | What is your favorite thing to stare at?
Stewart | Birds, especially masses of them, flying in formation. I know it's cliché, but they
fascinate me to no end. I could watch them for days.
Armando | What is your favorite comfort food?
Stewart | Rice pudding.
Armando | Are you in love?
Stewart | Yes. I have been with my partner for over four years, and he is a sweet, kind soul
who takes me the way I am.
Armando | When did you come out and what was that story like?
Stewart | I came out a couple years after college. no trauma there. I was lucky. I had
completely supportive family and friends. to me, being gay is like having long arms or
red hair. When my daughter sees me kissing my partner she smiles out of joy, because
she is witnessing an act of love, regardless of gender. I wish everyone had the mind of a
toddler.
Armando | What was the inspiration behind the album "The Chemical"?
Stewart | I wanted to do a more intimate, stripped down record, and I think I succeeded
is philosophising on the world and its problems comparing it to the field of flowers.
Great movie.
Armando | If you had (3) words to describe yourself what would they be?
Stewart | “creative, sensitive, and hopeful”
Armando | What is your favorite thing to stare at?
Stewart | Birds, especially masses of them, flying in formation. I know it's cliché, but they
fascinate me to no end. I could watch them for days.
Armando | What is your favorite comfort food?
Stewart | Rice pudding.
Armando | Are you in love?
Stewart | Yes. I have been with my partner for over four years, and he is a sweet, kind soul
who takes me the way I am.
Armando | When did you come out and what was that story like?
Stewart | I came out a couple years after college. no trauma there. I was lucky. I had
completely supportive family and friends. to me, being gay is like having long arms or
red hair. When my daughter sees me kissing my partner she smiles out of joy, because
she is witnessing an act of love, regardless of gender. I wish everyone had the mind of a
toddler.
Armando | What was the inspiration behind the album "The Chemical"?
Stewart | I wanted to do a more intimate, stripped down record, and I think I succeeded
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to some extent. For me though, I still am striving to make the perfect record. It's
about continually evolving.
Armando | What for sure would you like to let the world know about Stewart Lewis?
Stewart | I am just like you. A person wanting to love and be loved.
Recently, Stewart has become the very first artist signed to the Here! TV Network
and Regent Entertainment’s new music venture, Here! Tunes. Stewart will also be
hosting "Out In The Round" the first Thursday of every month at the Stonewall Inn in
NYC featuring two other out artists each show. That starts this year towards 2010’s
summer’s end.
Check out Stewart's semi-autobiographical novel Rockstarlet, "A sweetly disarming
satire" and..."A sexy, dishy tale of finding oneself amidst the moral wasteland of the
music industry" says best selling author Tom Dolby.
For more information on Stewart Lewis, please visit:
www.stewartlewis.com
Sources:
http://www.myspace.com/stewartlewis#ixzz0tyHTgjlu
http://www.wcbs880.com/Stewart-Lewis/3149153
References:
http://www.thestonewallinnnyc.com/Home_Page.php
http://www.imogenheap.com
http://www.heretv.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Rockstarlet-Novel-Stewart-Lewis/dp/1555839096
http://heardontv.com/tvshow/Ghost+Whisperer
about continually evolving.
Armando | What for sure would you like to let the world know about Stewart Lewis?
Stewart | I am just like you. A person wanting to love and be loved.
Recently, Stewart has become the very first artist signed to the Here! TV Network
and Regent Entertainment’s new music venture, Here! Tunes. Stewart will also be
hosting "Out In The Round" the first Thursday of every month at the Stonewall Inn in
NYC featuring two other out artists each show. That starts this year towards 2010’s
summer’s end.
Check out Stewart's semi-autobiographical novel Rockstarlet, "A sweetly disarming
satire" and..."A sexy, dishy tale of finding oneself amidst the moral wasteland of the
music industry" says best selling author Tom Dolby.
For more information on Stewart Lewis, please visit:
www.stewartlewis.com
Sources:
http://www.myspace.com/stewartlewis#ixzz0tyHTgjlu
http://www.wcbs880.com/Stewart-Lewis/3149153
References:
http://www.thestonewallinnnyc.com/Home_Page.php
http://www.imogenheap.com
http://www.heretv.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Rockstarlet-Novel-Stewart-Lewis/dp/1555839096
http://heardontv.com/tvshow/Ghost+Whisperer
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Video to “Come Closer” off the new album Information LP, on the HERE NOW!
iTunes Hit List
CLICK HERE for more Armando, Diaz, Jr.
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source
iTunes Hit List
CLICK HERE for more Armando, Diaz, Jr.
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source
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