"Don’t ask, don’t get! Be confident, have a strong work ethic and balance your time with friends and family. Be around positive like-minded people and always keep learning."

Simon Kinny-Lewis: Down Under King

Australian blues artist Simon Kinny-Lewis has performed/recorded with the cream of the blues crop including Robben Ford, Chris Cain, Josh Smith, Kirk Fletcher and many more. Not only recognised as a virtuoso guitarist but also as an impressive singer and songwriter, Simon’s approach has been described as a musical intersection in which tradition, modern tendencies and personal style are enriched by pure emotional release. He has released 8 albums to date with four latest #1’s on The Australian Blues and Roots Airplay Charts. Kinny-Lewis is a virtuoso guitarist. Blistering speakers with chromatic runs, modal flights of fancy and arpeggiated passing chords SKL has a deep trick bag. Grammy Winner Steve Lukather commenting on Simon’s 2016 album ‘Street Blues’. Three tours to the U.S.A in 2018 to 2020 saw his collaboration with members of the Ford Bothers Blues Band. Andy Just, Dewayne Pate and member of Herbie Hancock’s Monster Band Nate Ginsberg along with Australian drummer Tony Boyd and local slide guitarist Walter Jebe. A group put together by Blues master Chris Cain.            

(Photo: Australian blues artist Simon Kinny-Lewis)

His album “King Biscuit” (2021) mixed by Grammy award winning engineer Casey Wasner and Guitar legend Robben Ford is receiving great international recognition in the highest ranks of the Blues scene. Simon's new 11-tracks album “Pouring Water On A Drowning Man" (2025, ZYX Music) is a tour de force of singing, songwriting and slide guitar. Tone, skill and soul, it's got it all. Australian Blues, Rock Guitarist, Singer Simon Kinny-Lewis. known for his recent collaboration with US Guitar legend Robben Ford on his previous release " King Biscuit ". Simon pushes the boundaries of modern blues rock Guitar and vocals with substance story telling. Supported by a world class power house rhythm section of Anton Davidyants on Bass and Tony Boyd on Drums.

Interview by Michael Limnios

How has the Blues/Rock music influenced your views of the world? How do you understand the spirit, music, and the meaning of life?

Music has always been part of my life; it has got me through the toughest of times and has brought me endless joy. I feel very fortunate to have it present in me, all the time.

How do you describe your sound and songbook? What's the balance in music between technique and soul?

My Guitar sound/style is probably best described as a mix between Robben Ford and Chris Cain, with my songwriting most recently influenced by Tony Joe White. Technique is nothing without soul for me. I would rather hear a simple phrase played with feel than 100 notes shredding every second. It’s great to hear chops but too much is like someone talking really fast to you all the time, it’ll get annoying and boring. The best players have a balance between the two. The balance between technique and soul/emotion is paramount. My whole bag is keeping the traditional feel of the blues with some added harmony for colour, a lot I picked up from Robben Ford. Keeping a balance between fast chops and melodic lines is not only important but it feels natural and connects.

How do you think that you have grown as an artist since you first started making music? What has remained the same about your music-making process?

I have definitely grown more as a songwriter compared to earlier albums where my focus was more on recording a great Guitar solo. I’ve found a real joy in writing lyrics these last few years. My slide Guitar playing has also developed more since my album “ King Biscuit ” which was the first time I recorded electric slide. One thing that remains constant is my focus keeping in shape physically to deliver live what my audience hears in the studio. I still do regular practice maybe not as much as my earlier days, to keep in check both Guitar playing and singing.

”The balance between technique and soul/emotion is paramount. My whole bag is keeping the traditional feel of the blues with some added harmony for colour, a lot I picked up from Robben Ford. Keeping a balance between fast chops and melodic lines is not only important but it feels natural and connects.” (Photo: Simon Kinny-Lewis, an Australian Blues, Rock Guitarist, and Singer)

Currently you’ve one more release titled “Pouring Water On A Drowning Man”. Do you have any interesting stories about the making of the new album?

There’s a few…The single “Invisible Chain” was originally another song I wrote called “Smoking Gun”. The lyrics were a little heavy and I wasn’t quite happy with it so I left it for a few months thinking I’ll leave it off the album. I had written lyrics to invisible chain just before the album was nearly finished and realised the phrasing would work with the smoking gun track. I actually did the vocal take still reading the lyrics…it was meant to be!

Another story was I had not backed up my hard drive and I lost a few of the songs. One being my favourite “ Alligator Wine ” there was something special in the original vocal and Wha Wha Guitar performance. I really didn’t feel like recording it again. Luckily one of my friends Andrew Drysdale, a computer wiz managed to retrieve it. A bit of a heart stop moment when you loose music. Always backed up everything since then!

Why do you think that the Blues music continues to generate such a devoted following in Australia?

I think the internets exposure to Blues music has opened up a lot of ears recently, also classic rock bands like ACDC helped plant the seed as all that great rock came from the Blues like the Rolling Stones, another example.

Your work is known for creatively reimagining blues rock tradition. How do you balance respect for the roots with experimentation?

Firstly I grew up listing to a lot of traditional blues from my Dad and that was hugely influential. The common thread has always been; be genuine, heart felt, show real emotion. What ever production, arrangement, instrumentation you use this is what the Blues is and telling your story!

”think the internets exposure to Blues music has opened up a lot of ears recently, also classic rock bands like ACDC helped plant the seed as all that great rock came from the Blues like the Rolling Stones, another example.” (Photo: Simon Kinny-Lewis, tone, skill and soul, it's got it all)

What moment changed your music life the most? What´s been the highlights in your life and career so far?

Working with Robben Ford full stop! Not many artist get to work with there hero’s. It was so exciting and nervous at the same time after listening to his music for years. It was on “King Biscuit”… grammy award winning engineer Casey Wasner mixed the album with Robben lending an ear in the studio getting some killer Guitar sounds and playing a few tracks, very cool moment I’ll never forget. Robben also recorded Rhythm guitar on my version of “ Help The Poor ” definitely a highlight for me. Other great moments include playing with Chris Cain, he’s always been like my BB King, love him! Chris also put a band together for me on my first US tours with two members of the Ford Blues band, Dewayne Pate and Andy Just,both like brothers to me., we recorded two live albums; “A Day In San Jose” and “Another Day In San Jose” which I’m very proud of. Also working with the incredible bassist Anton Davidyants and my Australian drummer Tony Boyd on my new album, just so inspired and grateful.

What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?

Lately I’ve been paying more attention to the song’s I’m writing and keeping the slide alive! The slide has a unique voice that really connects with the Blues audience, it’s a timeless sound! Also checking out the latest Blues production on albums to see what really hits listeners helps me creatively in the studio.

Which meetings have been the most important experiences for you? What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Working with Robben Ford and Casey Wasner on my previous “King Biscuit“. When I first started playing professionally the best advice I heard a lot was “Don’t Give Up“ and a great quote recently from Andy Just (Harmonica player for BB King, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker) said “take your time” when improvising. It’s great advice… and a great ingredient to build your solo.

"Music has always been part of my life; it has got me through the toughest of times and has brought me endless joy. I feel very fortunate to have it present in me, all the time." (Photo: Simon Kinny-Lewis)

Are there any memories from gigs, jams, open acts and studio sessions which you’d like to share with us?

The band and I just recently played our biggest stage at Blues On Broadbeach in Queensland Australia, that was a real blast,

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

I miss the realness of the old recordings; everything is edited so much these days. I try and film most of my albums so I can’t be tempted to edit or fix anything, it’s also great great practice for live performances. I also miss record stores! The physical Cd or record, these stores helped bring people together and artists were played so much more, I feel we’re in pretty uncertain times atm.

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications? How do you want the music to affect people?

I want my music to tell a story, create emotion make people feel something.

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Don’t ask, don’t get! Be confident, have a strong work ethic and balance your time with friends and family. Be around positive like-minded people and always keep learning.

Do you think there is an audience for Blues/Rock music in its current state? or at least a potential for young people to become future audiences and fans?

Absolutely, there’s a reason why this music has been around for so long, there’s a whole new line of blues Guitarist that are keeping it alive, it’s a very healing form of music and we all need it!

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(Photo: Australian blues artist Simon Kinny-Lewis)