Decca Records Signing Rhys Lewis Is To Take Part In Pro7ect 2018 Songwriting Retreat

Singer songwriter Rhys Lewis, whose debut single Waking Up Without You shot to No. 1 on Spotifys viral chart when it was released at the end of 2016, will be the guest artist at next years Pro7ect songwriting retreat in Brighton.

Pro7ects Creative Director organiser Lisa Fitzgibbon says securing Lewis for the three day retreat is a major coup as it will give songwriters and producers taking part in Pro7ect 2018 the opportunity to work alongside an artist who is renowned for his lyrically-driven pop sound.

Rhys is already creating amazing songs and while taking part in Pro7ect he will have the opportunity to work with three different teams of writers and producers, Fitzgibbon says. Pro7ect is all about collaboration and we are really excited to have Rhys involved because his presence will provide added impetus to our writing teams.

Originally from Oxford and now based in London, 24-year-old Lewis combines rich soul with gravelly vocals to create a unique sound that is far more mature than his years might suggest. Currently signed to Universals Decca Records, Lewis spent 12 months travelling between studios in London, Nashville, Stockholm, Berlin and Los Angles while recording his first single. The success of that release led to numerous sell-out headline gigs and intimate acoustic sets, including a performance in Oxford for Sofar Sounds. His latest track, Living In The City, was released earlier this year and he is now working on his debut album.

Commenting on his decision to take part in Pro7ect 2018, Lewis says: Im excited to be part of this fantastic event and Im looking forward to collaborating with some amazing writers and producers. Song writing is usually a very personal experience for me, so it will be interesting to work as part of a team and see what direction that takes us in. The producers lined up for Pro7ect 2018 have incredible track records and very diverse musical influences. Tapping into their creativity, knowledge and experience is going to be awesome and I cant wait to hear the results.

Pro7ect 2018, which runs from the 19th 23rd February 2018 at Brightons Hotel Pelirocco, gives songwriters and artists the opportunity to work with A-list producers to write, record and produce great music. In previous years producers have included Youth (Sir Paul McCartney/The Verve/Echo & The Bunnymen/The Orb), Roni Size (Reprazent, Method Man, Zac de la Rocha), John Fortis (Razorlight, Ellie Goulding, Yellowdays), Stew Jackson (Massive Attack/Phantom Limb) and Andrew Levy (Brand New Heavies).

The producers signed up for 2018 include Mercury Music Prize winner Tavin Singh, who is widely regarded as the father of modern Asian music thanks to his innovative fusion of Indian classical music and drum and bass. He will be joined by Iain Archer, who has won two Ivor Novello Awards - for songwriting on Snow Patrol s Final Straw album and James Bays Hold Back The River. Archer was also nominated for a 2016 Grammy for Hold Back The River and nominated for an Ivor Novello for Two Fingers, which he wrote with Jake Bugg. The third producer on Pro7ects 2018 roster is Matty Benbrook, who has written and produced music for a range of artists including Paulo Nutini, LENA, Jake Bugg, Jack Savoretti, George The Poet, Rebecca Ferguson, Beverely Knight and many others.

For the duration of Pro7ect 2018, each producer will operate a pop up studio at Hotel Pelirocco, all of which are equipped with the latest recording technology from manufacturers such as Prism Sound, PMC, Focusrite/Novation, Roland and Audio Technica. Songwriting participants work with the producers to write and record a track a day for three days. The teams are changed each day and the songs will either be written for Rhys Lewis or to spec using tip sheets. Every evening there is a feedback session where teams play the result of their days work to the entire group.

The Pro7ect experience is highly collaborative and often results in a large volume of material being written and recorded in a very short pace for time. In 2017, for example, 20 songs were written and recorded in just four days. Six of these songs were optioned by artists and publishers less than a week after the event concluded.

The cost of participating is between £1089 and £1299, which includes food and accommodation for four nights. Places are limited and anyone wishing to take part should visit www.pro7ect.com to apply. UK applicants can now apply for funding through the PRS Foundation Writer/Producers Fund. For more information please visit: http://www.prsformusicfoundation.com/funding/writer-producer-fund/

To find out more about Pro7ect, please visit the website: www.pro7ect.com

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