LEW moved across the country, ended a long-term relationship, and walked away from a genre that no longer felt right for her. All of that change has led to a new era in her career, one that highlights her confidence, boldness, and vulnerability. The singer-songwriter spoke to NYOTA about her EP “TOO SEXY TO BE SAD,” her artistic goals for 2026, and touring the EP.
Did you grow up in a musical household? What led you to discover your passion for making music?
I did! My older brother is a classical pianist, and my triplet brothers grew up playing the drums. I was a theatre kid. Music was definitely around at all times. Theatre was such an amazing way for me to get into music. I loved being able to drop into a new character every night. I wrote my first song at 15 and realized…wait. I want to continue everything I’m doing right now, but play the character of myself. That was a big epiphany for me and really set the stage for what was to come.
It has become more common for artists to dip their toes into different genres and not get stuck in boxes, but it’s one thing to experiment and another to switch genres completely. What was the biggest lesson you learned about yourself as an artist when you stepped away from country music?
It is! The biggest lesson I learned about myself when I stepped away from country music was that there was so much more depth to me than I had ever known. Stepping into pop and rock has really allowed me to explore the edges of my creativity. It’s been very special and spiritual to get to spend this era of my life as an independent artist. I feel very empowered and clear on my vision, and have discovered so much about myself. Whether it’s the outfits I feel the most confident in, or as specific as the snare drum tones I like…it’s been very freeing to allow myself to try it all out and see what I love the best.
A positive outcome of this time of transition for you was that you found your voice and weren’t afraid to say what felt right. This feels reflected in the title track of the EP, “TOO SEXY TO BE SAD.” In the pre-chorus, you sing “I’m not taking years off of my life, life / For someone I’m not even sure I like.” Did you feel that not only did your newfound boldness impact your musical decisions, but also what you were willing to deal with in your personal life?
One million percent. As I’ve gotten to know myself as an artist better, I do feel that it has carried into my personal life as an energy. I have less patience for BS. I know who I want to surround myself with, and I generally feel more confident. I felt like a bit of a caged lion for a while, and after reading Untamed by Glennon Doyle, I realized that the owner of the key was me. And all I had to do was let myself free.
Each song on the EP is personal, but “PHANTOM LIMB” seems particularly vulnerable, and in your eyes, vulnerability is the ultimate form of power. Did you feel that getting these emotions out through song has almost let you shed an old skin and start anew?
Absolutely. I feel that way any time I’m able to write about something going on in my life. That song specifically is about a situation I’ve dealt with for years and written about hundreds of times. But something about that song felt like a true shedding. I haven’t written about that exact topic since. Which I think is telling.
Has this period of change also led you to feel more creatively fulfilled in other aspects of your job, such as creating visuals and promotional materials?
Yes! I feel so lucky to have connected with my creative director, photographer, and visual extraordinaire, Whitney Otte. We really pushed the boundaries of the visual art associated with my project, and I have never felt so myself on camera. Every time I look at those photos, I think, “Wow. That’s fully me.”
How did it feel to tour the EP and see which songs or lyrics resonated with the crowd? Were you ever surprised by which songs audiences seemed to love?
Not to be dramatic, but it changed my life. I hadn’t toured in a really long time and, to be honest, was getting stuck in a rut of having to post online all the time instead of finding a balance of posting and touring. Getting back out on the road reminded me of why I got into music in the first place. To do exactly that. And now I have the itch to tour 365 days a year. Haha. Every night is a surprise to me on tour. Some nights, a specific song will hit so much harder than it did the previous night. It’s always very special knowing the collective audience each night is different and they will latch on to what lyrics their soul needs to latch on to. That’s the beauty of live performance. It’s different every night.
We’re in a new year, which is the perfect time to focus on growth and change. What are some of your 2026 artistic goals?
My goal in 2026 is to release as much music as possible. I feel like I’m sitting on hundreds of songs, and my dream is to be able to just start letting people hear them. I hope to do that, while also working on my debut album. And as always, pushing the boundaries of visual art and continuing to express myself through clothing and aesthetics. And to tour more!
What advice do you have for aspiring musicians?
Start releasing music as an independent artist. The first five years I was releasing music, I was never independent. I think it’s important to start off by yourself and slowly build from there. I think it’s crucial in the beginning not to have someone in your ear telling you who they think you are. I think I would’ve arrived at a lot of artistic choices and decisions much earlier if I had started off fully independent. I would also say that no one knows you better than you do. At the end of the day, you are the CEO of you. You must move out of love, not fear. The most successful or connective moments I’ve had have never been born out of fear. Only love.
