Latest Posts

Jon Lewis Band Drops New Video off Get Wild Somewhere

April 3, 2018

Rochester group Jon Lewis Band are back with some new music. After having released eight studio albums in just four years, the indie rock’n rollers are hitting early 2018 with yet another release, slated for May. In anticipation of the the new record, titled Get Wild Somewhere, they have released their first single “Cinnamon Only,” along with a music video. The track is a straight ahead rocker in a minor key, with deep distortion and a firm low end. There is a funky clavinet-like keyboard that is peppered throughout that balances against the guitars, reminiscent of psych-rock sounds from the late ’60s-early ’70s. Lewis’ mid range lead vocals are smooth and land right on top of the whole mix. There’s a good blend of classic and modern rock, with a slight griminess to it, too; essentially its Tom Petty meets Wilco with a splash of Primus. Check out the music[...]

Jon Lewis Band – Baby Brother EP

October 29, 2017

Not too far removed from the release of their Exquisite Corpse full length back in May, Rochester’s Jon Lewis is back with Baby Brother EP, a new collection of emotionally penned, fuzzed out indie rock. “Let It Go” opens Baby Brother with reckless abandon; Lewis’ hazy yet potent vocals underpinned with fervent driving indie rock, before the band opts for cleaner tones and bright melodies on the following “I’ve Got Mine.” EP standout “Hanging On” is instantly memorable thanks to culpable melodies that leap off the record as Lewis spins urgent bar after urgent bar (‘What should you say / When my light is fading / And all my bad decisions come collecting / To keep me hanging on / Would you keep me hanging on?’). The mid-tempo “Ride With Us” features perhaps the best work of drummer Jacob Walsh, and passionate closer “I Want Your Heart” brings Baby Brother[...]

Jon Lewis – Exquisite Corpse

June 12, 2017

Jon Lewis is a pretty much a staple in the Rochester music scene. The hard-working musician is more or less a fountain of new material, be it from his well-rounded solo project Jon Lewis Band, or his Wiggles-inspired educational alter-ego Mr. Loops. This week we’re checking out his brand new full-band album Exquisite Corpse, which proves Lewis’ shining time as a musician and songwriter is all but fleeting. Exquisite Corpse drives home the idea that unadulterated indie rock is not dead. So many mainstream acts today aim to reinvent the genre–often times favoring decadence over organic musicianship–in an effort to distance themselves from the ordinary; the result can barely be considered indie rock. This exodus of sorts has left a void–a void that Lewis seems to fit perfectly. With a pop rock sensibility to rival that of Matthew Sweet and hooks around every corner, there is no shortage of catchy material[...]

Jon Lewis – Out of Lunch

July 18, 2016

Named by 585 Magazine as an “Artist to Follow” in 2016, Jon Lewis fronts a John Ralston-like musical style begging for local, perhaps even statewide attention. Lewis partakes in a practiced indie rock act from Rochester coming at us as both a solo performer and as a full band. This time around, Lewis (guitar and lead vocals) and his band – Dave Drago (vocals and bass), Shawn Brogan (guitar), and Jacob Walsh (drums) – gift us a delicate EP entitled Out to Lunch. The six-song release is chock-full of solid alternative folk compositions, lush mixes, a general warm but lost feel. “Everyone Wants to Know,” Song 1, opens the release with tremolo guitar and soft group vocals. “Left his job, left for dead – no one heard what he said,” tells Lewis of the song’s protagonist. One should wonder if Lewis is cooing about his own endeavors. This tune is relatively simple.[...]

Jon Lewis Releases Video for “Everyone Wants to Know”

June 2, 2016

Jon Lewis‘ newest single and video for “Everyone Wants to Know” comes in preparation for his forthcoming EP, Out to Lunch, which is set to drop next week. The Rochester native’s brand of indie rock is injected with a bit of quirk, though it’s hard to pinpoint what the “quirk” actually is. Maybe it’s the choral harmonies that cut through like moments of clarity in this particular song, or it could be the super subdued lead vocals that are accompanied by a surprisingly gleaming tone. Whatever the origin may be, the music video seems to encapsulate the personality of this band pretty damn well. Between the unique blend of psychedelic rock and Americana, the hypnotic kaleidoscope visuals and singing severed heads, it’s hard not to let the video magnetize you for its duration. See for yourself below and keep your ears open for Jon Lewis’ EP release in the coming[...]

Guest Picks: Jon Lewis

December 11, 2015

For our Best of 2015 coverage, we once again decided to reach out to some friends of the blog to get an idea of what made the year in music so great for them. For the next installment in the guest series, Rochester singer/songwriter Jon Lewis submitted his year end list. Yesterday, under his Mr. Loops moniker, Lewis released his children’s music album Meet Mr Loops, which is currently available to order here. The musician will perform with this band this Saturday, December 12, at Small World Books. Make sure to follow all of the blog’s year in review coverage throughout the month of December. I was flattered and intimidated when asked to compile a “Best of 2015” list. I’m an outsider to most music and this year in particular, I only attended a handful of shows and stayed blissfully ignorant to many new releases. I am always gravitating to the saturated emotions[...]

Jon Lewis Drops Music Video for “Let It Slide”

June 25, 2015

Rochester singer/songwriter Jon Lewis has released the music video for his new song “Let It Slide.” The highlight of the three shared tracks (so far) from his upcoming album, Panic Rock, “Let It Slide” finds the musician sounding rather Gibbard-esque on the mid-tempo number. Lewis paired the track with clips from Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day, a cartoon I don’t remember being quite as eerie until just now. Panic Rock is set to drop in mid July. You can stream the album’s first three tracks here and watch the video to “Let It Slide” below. Jon Lewis – Let it Slide from Jon Lewis on Vimeo.

Jon Lewis Releases Lead Single for Panic Rock LP

June 4, 2015

Rochester singer/songwriter Jon Lewis (or Mr. Loops to our young readers) has announced his latest album, titled Panic Rock ( a nod to Watertown’s Black River), set to be released on July 14th. The album was recorded with Lewis’ 1809 Sessions partner, Dave Drago, at the Macedon studio, and features contributions from Rochester musicians Sam Snyder (OHS, Maybird), Mikaela Davis, John Valenti, and others. The album’s first single, “Right Now,” was released this morning. Backed by a care free melody and a 70’s singer/songwriter vibe (CSNY and Loudon Wainwright come to mind), the single is part of a collection of songs that act as a touching nod to Lewis’ close family. “Many of the songs have sentimental value and reflect on loved ones and experiences with my family, says Lewis of the album’s personal meaning. Listen to “Right Now” below (download here) and keep an eye out for Panic Rock to drop in[...]

1809 Studios Premieres Latest Session feat. Big Fred

January 16, 2015

Its been a minute since we caught up with Macedon’s 1809 Studios and its still fresh video session series, 1809 Sessions. Located just outside of Rochester, the studio has already hosted and filmed some great acts out of the 585 including buzz band Secret Pizza, crooner Jon Valenti, and harpist Mikaela Davis. The studio’s latest installment, the #9 from the young series, comes from a Rochester band called Big Fred. The band does have a Wild Beasts type feel to it though so you are a fan, then maybe Big Fred is up your alley. Check out the clip, produced and filmed/edited as always by studio engineer, Dave Drago, and Roch-singer/songwriter, Jon Lewis, below.

Genesee Live Releases Latest Installment feat. Jon Lewis

January 7, 2015

Catch up week continues here at the blog with the first session from Genesee Live of this young year. For the Rochester based video series’ latest installment, GL caught up with charming and introspective singer/songwriter, Jon Lewis. We introduced you to Lewis back in October with his music video “Tomorrow.” In addition, Lewis has been involved in the OTHER Rochester related video session series, 1809 Sessions, filmed at 1809 Studios in Macedon, NY. Fans of Jens Lekman and stripped down Belle and Sebastian may find Lewis right up their alley. Check out his Genesee Live installment below, which was recorded in the attic of Maybird/OHS member Sam Snyder, and to catch up on past clips, visit the site’s tumblr here.

1809 Studios Releases New Live Session feat. Secret Pizza

November 6, 2014

WNY is starting to become a hot bed for great live video sessions. If you follow this blog on a regular basis, you should already know about Buffalo’s Silo Sessions and Rochester’s Genesee Live, but how about 1809 Studios? Located just 20 mins outside of Rochester in Macedon, NY, the recording space has just begun to release its own installments of live clips, debuting just a couple months ago with Roz & the Rice Cakes. For its third installment, 1809 invited our favorite new 585-based act, Secret Pizza, in to film a live performance of the band’s fantastic, driving post-punk track, “Oh My My.” The clip was filmed/edited by studio engineer, Dave Drago, and Rochester singer/songwriter, Jon Lewis. Check it out below. For past installments of 1809 Sessions, visit the studio’s Youtube page.

Jon Lewis Releases Animated Video For “Tomorrow”

October 2, 2014

Earlier this week, we came across the new music video for “Tomorrow,” a Jens Lekman-esque track from Rochester singer/songwriter, Jon Lewis. The animated clip, which was directed by Johnny Mchone (Adult Swim’s Mr. Pickles), features a reflective, gumby-like man looking at past memories and getting sucked into the drawing. Kids who grew up on Nickelodeon in the early 90s should get a nice shot of nostalgia from the clip. Check out Lewis’ material on bandcamp and watch the video for “Tomorrow” below.