Jeffrey Lewis

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Jeffrey Lewis
Jeffrey Lewis performing at The Luminaire, London, England.
Jeffrey Lewis performing at The Luminaire, London, England.
Background information
Origin New York City, New York, U.S.
Genre(s) Anti-folk
Years active 1997–present
Label(s) Rough Trade
Website Official Site
Members
Jeffrey Lewis
Jack Lewis
David Beauchamp

Jeffrey Lewis (born November 20, 1975 in New York City) is an American anti-folk singer/songwriter and comic book artist. He attended State University of New York at Purchase and graduated in 1997. His final thesis was on the Alan Moore graphic novel "Watchmen".

Several of his musical influences have been acknowledged in his songs such as "Williamsburg Will Oldham Horror", "The History of The Fall" and "The Chelsea Hotel Oral Sex Song", concerning the song by Leonard Cohen. Lewis' lyrics are complex and literate, often combining a nihilistic world-view with a hopeful message and sharp wit. Growing up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan Island his songs are also highly informed by his home surroundings, with songs namechecking places such as Williamsburg, the FDR Drive and the East River.

After being signed by the British record label Rough Trade in 2001, Jeffrey Lewis released his first official album The Last Time I Did Acid I Went Insane and in 2003 he released the album It's The Ones Who've Cracked That The Light Shines Through. His third record, City and Eastern Songs, was released in the UK in November 2005 and in the US in September 2006. All three of these albums also include his brother, Jack Lewis, who wrote and sang a number of the songs. In October 2007, Jeffrey released 12 Crass Songs, an album consisting entirely of songs written by the anarcho-pacifist British punk band Crass, reworked to match Jeffrey's anti-folk style.

He has also performed and collaborated with Kimya Dawson of The Moldy Peaches as well as Diane Cluck. Some of his hand-drawn comics appear in the cover art of his CD releases.

Jeffrey has his own comic book series titled 'Fuff' (formerly called 'Guff') available via Olive Juice Music.

In 2006, Jeffrey Lewis was as Adam Green's support act and also embarked on a solo tour of the UK; in 2007 he played several dates in the UK supporting Daniel Johnston; in 2008 he joined British Sea Power for part of their North American tour.

Contents

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums/EPs

  • When Madman Was Good - Version One (1997)
  • When Madman Was Good - Version Two (1998)
  • Indie-Rock Fortune Cookie (1998)
  • Journey to the Center of the Earth (1999)
  • The Only Time I Feel Right Is When I'm Drawing Comic Books (2000)
  • I Am, Of Course, Glad (2000)
  • Kimya Dawson And Jeff Lewis (2001)
  • Songs From Austin (2001)
  • Diane Cluck And Jeffrey Lewis (2001)
  • The Last Time I Did Acid I Went Insane (2001)
  • Guitar Situations: Musical Conduct (2002)
  • AntiFolk Collaborations Volume 1 (2002)
  • It's The Ones Who've Cracked That The Light Shines Through (2003)
  • Jeffrey Lewis "Four Seasons" Box Set (2004)
  • City and Eastern Songs (2005)
  • Gas Money EP (2005) (split with Schwervon!)
  • Tapes From The Crypt (2006)
  • 12 Crass Songs (2007)

[edit] Singles

  • The Chelsea Hotel Oral Sex Song (2001)
  • Back When I Was Four (2002)
  • Graveyard/Spirit of Love (2002)
  • No LSD Tonight/Don't Let The Record Label Take You Out To Lunch (2003)

[edit] Compilation Appearances

  • Antifolk Vol. 1 (2002) - "You Don't Have To Be A Scientist To Do Experiments on Your Own Heart
  • Call It What You Want This Is Antifolk (2002) - So Long (I'm Gonna Go Draw All Alone In My Shack)
  • The Art Star Sounds Compilation (2005) - "Williamsburg Will Oldham Horror"
  • Still Unravished- A Tribute to June Brides (2006) - Waiting For A Change
  • Anticomp Folkilation (2007) - "The River" (with Diane Cluck)

[edit] External links