Pop Culturalist Chats with Payson Lewis

There’s a moment in every artist’s life when they realize they want to follow their heart and pursue their dreams professionally. For Payson Lewis, it happened during college while he was a member of SoCal VoCals at the University of South California. That a-ha moment sparked a fire within Payson to hone his craft, and he began posting covers which became widely popular on YouTube. This year marks a new chapter for Payson as he begins releasing his own original music. His first EP (which is slated to come out later this year) is a feel-good collection that will undoubtedly leave a smile on your face, evident by his first two singles: “When Love was Young” and “Bad Influence”. We spoke with Payson about “Bad Influence”, making the transition from covers to originals, and how each experience has made him the artist he is today.

PC: Your new single, “Bad Influence”, dropped on Friday. What was the inspiration behind the song?
Payson: I wrote the song while I was in Mexico City. I was exploring the area, having some delicious Mezcal, and I had this realization that most of the things that we really enjoy in this life are a little bad for us. These little escapes from the day-to-day are what makes everything worth it, and they are the things that we know that we’re not supposed to do. I wanted to write a song about enjoying the little bad influences in our lives.

PC: What are some of the bad influences you enjoy in your life?
Payson: [laughs] Oh man! Eating food that isn’t the healthiest for you and maybe drinking a little too much. I’m not too wild and crazy—just enough to enjoy the life that I’ve been given.

PC: What is your creative process when you’re working on a new tune?
Payson: Gosh! There are so many different ways. When I write by myself like with “Bad Influence”, I start with the music and get a melodic idea in my head. Then that melody usually informs an emotion in me. And I fill that emotion in with some words. But I do a lot of co-writes and everyone has a different process. Sometimes we start with an idea or an emotion and work backward to create the music to fill it in. I go many different ways when it comes to creating music. With “Bad Influence”, it was a song that started with a melody and an emotion which was enjoying myself. Luckily, I had time, tequila, and Mezcal to really fill in the cracks of the story.

PC: It’s your second single from your upcoming EP. When can fans expect that to be released? And what can you tease about it?
Payson: It’s a six-song collection, and it’ll probably be out later this year. I will definitely put out at least one more single in the next two months. The record, especially in today’s day and age, functions as an escapism. We’re living in some interesting times and this album was created to be fun, make people feel good, and take them away from all the things that are happening around the world. There are some meaty things in there. Some really introspective stuff. But by and large, it’s a record about having a good time and making you feel good.

PC: You’re well-known for your covers. What has the transition been like now having released your own original music?
Payson: I started doing covers with this moment in mind. It was always a goal to put out my own original music. The covers were a platform for me to hone my craft as a musician and a songsmith. I got to use some great songs to refine that skill. Putting out your own art is so infinitely more creatively fulfilling and emotionally fulfilling. Musically, it’s fun either way, but there’s this sense of self when you put out your own music.

PC: Great answer! When did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in music?
Payson: Gosh. It’s so funny. I guess I’m a late bloomer. Growing up, I didn’t think I wanted to be a performer. I thought I wanted to be a professional athlete. But I soon realized that I wasn’t athletic enough to do that. I’ve always loved music. I sang in choir growing up and I knew I wanted to work in the industry. I thought it would be by working at a record label or at a magazine that covers music. It wasn’t until I was in college where I was in a singing group that I realized that it was truly what I loved and what I wanted to do. I kind of had to realign my outlook on life and come at it from a new angle. Like the transition from covers to originals, I found this true happiness that I believed was meant for me. It just took me a little longer to figure it out.

PC: If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be and why?
Payson: Even now knowing that this is what I should have been doing all along, I don’t think I would change anything in my past. I’ve met amazing people, and I’ve had a number of amazing experiences. Honestly, the journey to find myself as an artist has been amazing. I guess the only thing I would say is to learn how to play guitar and practice piano more.

PC: Who are some of your musical influences? Who are some people you’d love to collaborate with in the future? Are there any collaborations on the EP?
Payson: There are some writing collaborations on the EP! But not too many artistic ones. My musical background is a little of everything. I grew up on classic rock, 90s R&B, and pop music. The artist that I’m so into right now is Leon Bridges. Even though our sounds are so different, I think it would be great to work on something with him.

PC: After you drop your EP, are there any plans to hit the road? Do you have a venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Payson: Nothing is concrete right now but I would love to hit the road. As proud as I am of the EP itself, the live experience is something we had in mind when making the record. This is a record that was made to be played live and to be experienced in a communal concert environment. As far as a dream venue, I’m from L.A., so playing Troubadour would definitely be the feather in the hat. It’s such a historic venue.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Payson: I love Survivor. I’ve been watching since the first season. It’s in its 36th season and most people don’t even realize it’s still on. I can’t get enough of it.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Payson: I’m a sucker for kids’ movies. If it’s animated, I’ll watch it. I flew to New York last week and I was watching Paddington 2, and I was laughing and crying like a baby.

PC: Favorite book?
Payson: The Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Payson: I’m a sucker for the classics. My favorite musical is Carousel. And as far as plays, one of the most amazing experiences of my life was seeing August: Osage County on Broadway.

PC: Favorite social media platform?
Payson: Instagram. I love sharing pictures. A picture is worth a thousand words!

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Payson: I have a guilty pleasure for some bubblegum pop. I listen to Carly Rae Jepsen and some Katy Perry, but please don’t tell too many people.

PC: First album you bought?
Payson: Green Day’s Dookie

PC: First concert you went to?
Payson: Hughie Lewis and the News. The second was Weird Al!

PC: Go-to karoke song?
Payson: “Gansta’s Paradise”

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Payson: Westworld

PC: Hidden talent?
Payson: I taught myself how to juggle.

Payson’s mom: Best son!

Payson: She’s too sweet. Loving son that’s my hidden talent.

Make sure to follow Payson on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, and pick up “Bad Influence” on iTunes or Amazon.