Interview | Al Lewis on Loss, New Music And Mental Health

Josh Abraham

Experienced music journalist, a lover of coffee, tattoos and music.

We had a chat with Al Lewis about bringing the world together through honest lyricism and understanding of losing a loved one

Welsh singer-songwriter Al Lewis channels the loss of his father into his music and its focus on grief, loss, love and the struggles of not wanting to touch their possessions could bring a tear to any listener.

Here you can dive into a mental health discussion that is needed so much during these tough times. So, grab a coffee, listen to the new album ‘Fifteen Years’, and feel every emotion possible.

Firstly, I just want to check in mentally and see how you’re doing?

That’s kind of you to ask, I’m doing well thanks. Life can be pretty stressful as a father of three kids under 5 but we’re riding the wave as best we can and savouring the good times.

You have mentioned how you feel we were born in a generation where males don’t often check in on each other. Why do you think this is?

I don’t know the answer really. Perhaps, as men, we like to fix things and get the answers on our own so we feel our problems are ours to solve and ours alone and that we needn’t bother others with whatever is going on in our heads?

Your new album has been fifteen years in the making as it goes through you dealing with losing your father. How did it feel to talk about the loss when you began to open up?

It has felt incredibly cathartic to make this album and to bring him up in conversation once again. It was hard to begin with to write these songs and to even think about performing them live, but actually I’ve found strength in having them out and the connections they’ve made with other people.

I’ve always found music to be a form of therapy during tough times, what has been a form of therapy for you?

Talking to others has been incredibly beneficial to me, be it after shows or during my podcast (Feels like Healing) where I talk to creative people who’ve also turned to creativity following a loss or trauma. Seeing the way others have dealt with their pain can be incredibly inspiring.

You’re able to channel loss in a creative way with this new body of work. Has it helped create some form of peace within yourself?

Definitely, my grief has long been this invisible friend in my life (that no one else was aware of). Now it’s out in the open I feel far more able to bring Dad up in conversation which is a much healthier place to be.

I have family members who are from the generation of not speaking up about their feelings, but now they are slowly but surely doing so. What do you think it is that helps people open up?

It’s a cliché but time helps, also feeling comfortable and safe in the knowledge that you won’t be judged for opening up.

Often we feel wary of opening up as we make ourselves vulnerable for others to see our weakness or pain but I’ve found that people, more often than not, respond with compassion, respect and love.

It’s great to see you talking about your father’s Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis towards the end of his life. What glimpses of him did you see from his inner life?

I see glimpses of him in my children every day, which is a real comfort, to know that his legacy lives on not only in me but in them too.

You realise that their quirks and funny traits will get passed down and even if they never got to meet him, they will recognise his smile, his laugh and his humour in themselves.

Finally, is there more to expect from you in terms of music or is your focus on healing and feeling better mentally before even thinking of that?

Yes I hope so, I’ve got plenty more I want to write about, my next album is going to be something that celebrates the joy of life.

Listen to ‘Fifteen Years’ here: