At 19, Bloomington singer-songwriter Marshall Lewis has been described by his peers as an artist who writes and records deeply introspective songs that are well beyond his years.
Lewis will release his debut extended play, “Higher Nature,” on Aug. 26 through Highwire Records. The EP will be released on musical outlets such as Spotify and iTunes the same day.
Lewis is a singer-songwriter who has been writing and performing music since he was in high school as a way of dealing with life hurdles.
“Music became a place where I can get away from things when they were difficult,” Lewis said. “I used to spend hours playing the guitar and then taking writing and recording music, which pulled me emotionally. The more I did it, the more I would love it.”
Highwire Records is an independent record label from Bloomington that was established early this year. It is owned and managed by Kevin Flick and Lewis. The record label strives to provide a platform for creativity for rising artists in Bloomington, according to its website.
“Higher Nature” is an indie folk-style album that contains six songs. Lewis said the genre of indie folk has always influenced him and his writing, by showing his more personal side when performing.
“Every song I wrote came from something going on at a time in my life,” Lewis said. “‘Higher Nature’ has a lot to do with maturing and what I was going through. During that time, I took a look at myself and my surroundings and just wrote about it.”
The songs on the EP contain different uplifting messages that influenced him in high school. The album was produced by Lewis, using instruments such as the acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, organ and banjo, and six musicians were added to help bring in texture.
“The basis and idea of struggle is you just have to push through it,” Lewis said. “The song ‘Chapters’ on the EP has to do about the chapters in life from how you move from one way to another.”
Lewis’ musical influences include Ben Howard, Bon Iver, Dave Matthews and the Roots. His love for their music brought the love to his songwriting for “Higher Nature.”
The EP was also co-produced by Highwire Records owner and manager Kevin Flick.
He was previously a vocalist, which led to his interest in audio engineering and releasing the audio magazine “Puddlegum” in 1997.
“Marshall’s music is intriguing with the way he writes honest thoughts, which is musically what I enjoy,” Flick said. “He is really developing into a great songwriter. His songs really hit and touch me personally.”
Flick has been working with Lewis since January 2013 and posting all of his songs on his SoundCloud. Flick decided it would be best for him to release his music professionally under a label name, and they started Highwire Records.
“We just wanted to create a platform to release his music to the Bloomington public, since there’s so many great bands in this creative college town,” Flick said.
Lewis and Flick have begun producing his first full-length album. The record label plans on further promoting Lewis’ music to magazines, radio and blogs through grassroots and public relations marketing. Lewis will be promoting “Higher Nature” on Aug. 29 at Birdy’s concert venue, along with other artists such as the Dappers and Carey Goodspeed.
With “Higher Nature,” Lewis hopes to send a positive message to listeners about how life’s struggles can shape them as better people.
“There are seasons in life when things are coming down on you and you have a loss of what to do,” Lewis said. “Remember the truth, and hold on because things come in cycle and come through.”
