"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. The revelation of King Biscuit is Kinny-Lewis the singer and slide guitarist. Grammy Winner Steve Lukather commenting on Simon’s 2016 album ‘Street Blues’.                                         (Photo: Australian blues artist Simon Kinny-Lewis)

His latest album “King Biscuit ” (2021) produced by Guitar legend Robben Ford and Grammy award winning engineer Casey Wasner is receiving great international recognition in the highest ranks of the Blues scene. In spite of all the collaboration, King Biscuit is completely Simon Kinny-Lewis. SKL’s talent radiates out of these tracks. So often on quest besieged records the tracks without any extra personnel sound thin or out of place. Kinny-Lewis and his band are the main event and the guests serve to highlight how effective the base crew is. King Biscuit is a great SKL record. It is also a great Blues Rock Fusion record and stands tall next to Robben Ford’s towering monument of work. A great accomplishment for both Robben Ford and Simon Kinny-Lewis.

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.

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 latest album “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 improving. 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)