Bryden Stephen Lewis: The youth icon in Music

By Roque Lewis, Kuwait
Bellevision Media Network

Kuwait, 21 Dec 2012: (When I think of Bryden Lewis, I am reminded of Thomas Gray’s poem... ”Full many a gem of purest ray serene… Full many a flower is born to blush unseen” which I had studied long time ago during my school days.  Here is a Mangalorean gem among us, whom I am pleased and excited to introduce to the readers of bellevision.com, so that he may not blush unseen in the thick of today’s busy world.

 

Prior to some four or five months if any of you have attended the 9.15 am English Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Ulsoor-Bangalore,  you might  have witnessed a dynamic, sturdy, multi-talented youngster with his group of friends leading the choir – playing the guitar and singing along during service.  He is none other than Bryden Lewis, a Mangalorean lad who has made music his way of life. He  is a Guitarist and also plays Banjo, Ukulele and Mandolin. Moreover he is Music Composer as well as a Singer and Songwriter.

 

  

 

The Music: Bangalore based guitarist, composer and songwriter, Bryden Lewis(1988) draws from an eclectic variety of styles and influences as far apart as Blues, Rock, Jazz, Country, Metal, and both Western and Indian classical music, performed on both acoustic as well as electric guitars.  While his most prominent work has been in the realm of rock and heavy metal guitar, he has manifested interest in Country, Acapella and Contemporary Music. As a conductor for various choirs and Acapella groups, Bryden has emerged as one of Bangalore’s favourite male pop voices and as a session musician for several studio projects. 
Bryden’s distinctive melodic guitar playing has been influenced by an array of renowned  players such as Paul Gilbert, Steve Vai, Steve Lukather, Kee Marcello, Shawn Lane, Guthrie Govan and others,  allowing his original compositions and arrangements to be utterly soulful and melodic, yet full of quirky energy and dynamics!

 

 

Bryden is best known for his work with contemporary rock idol Slain, the biggest Progressive Metal Band in India, with over two hundred concerts to their credit, including opening for international sensations Iron Maiden (UK), Mr. Big (US) and Meshuggah (Sweden).  After releasing two EPs, both highly successful and extensively reviewed, the band released its iconic debut album ‘Here & Beyond’ in November 2010. http://slainandbeyond.com/

 

The Raghu Dixit Project:  Bryden got on board with “The Raghu Dixit Project”, one of India’s best contemporary folk bands and currently, India’s biggest cultural export in October 2011 and has been touring with them ever since http://raghudixit.com/  playing at some of the most prestigious festivals in the UK such as Glastonbury, Womad, Larmer Tree, etc.  He has also been featured on the Andrew Marr Show on BBC London with Raghu Dixit.  He is closely associated with the Folk Icon Raghu Dixit, helping him with his studio work which includes movies, albums and jingles.  Bryden proudly endorses PRS Guitars.  Slain and Raghu Dixit are currently working on their second studio album which Bryden is a part of.  He is also working on his debut Konkani album.

 

 

The Legacy: Starting from an early college‐level, Bryden garnered an undisputed reputation for his abilities, winning numerous solo vocal contests, and bagging the title of ‘Best Guitarist’ at every single national level competition which his band Slain attended over the years, including:

 

Hornbill National Rock Competition, Nagaland (2010)
Christ University (2010)
IIT--‐Mumbai (2008)
IIT--‐Chennai (2008)
BMSCE--‐Bangalore (2008)
NLS--‐Bangalore (2007)
CMC--‐Vellore (2007)
Underground, Unwind centre Bangalore (2007)

 

Bryden was nominated at the Jack Daniels Annual Rock Awards for two years consecutively (2008 and 2009) before being awarded the title ‘Guitarist of the Year’ in 2010.  Within the same year he was duly commended by the Rolling Stone Metal Awards and crowned ‘Best Metal Guitarist’.  The legend of Bryden Lewis is quickly began to spread as industry professionals and media writers alike have been recognizing him as one of the country’s finest musicians today.  Bryden continues to perform live with Slain and “The Raghu Dixit Project” and as a session musician/vocalist for various recording/performing projects, continually pushing all musical boundaries as an innovative and experienced guitarist, composer and song‐writer.

 

 

Bryden has been performing at almost all the cities in India and also abroad in countries such as USA, UK, Europe, Sri Lanka, etc.  He judges music competitions at various events including NLS Bangalore, MIT Manipal and other major colleges across India.  He was also the lead guitarist of the musical ‘Grease’ directed by Ms. Leila Alvares.  He regularly features on various television/radio channels, newspapers and magazines of India and abroad.

 

 

As a Music Teacher  Bryden has been rendering his service at Ebenezer International School Bangalore for almost a year, where he was able to inspire and motivate young students to achieve their goals in life.

 

 

The Family: Bryden was born in Kuwait on December 27, 1988 to Richard and Bernadette Lewis, who hail from Udyavar near Udupi, but settled in Indiranagar, Bangalore since over two decades.  He did his studies at St. Joseph’s Boys School and College till PUC and graduated from Kristu Jayanti College with B.Com degree.  He has a sister, Fallon Angela who recently married Sanjeet Miranda and they are residing in Bangalore.  She is also a singer and has influenced Bryden’s music in various ways.

 

 

Bryden is a choir member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Ulsoor, Bangalore, and has also organized Christmas concerts and lead the Konkani choir during the feast of Nativity of Mother Mary (Monti Feast). His dedication and passion towards music has won him a dedicated band of fans, followers and admirers in India and across the globe.

 

Giving a message to the youth Bryden says: “I’m a huge believer in blessings more than luck.  Always remember that realizing your dreams is possible only by waking up.  Dedication, consistency and constant practice are the important tools to success.  At the end of it all, God works His wonders in our lives”.

 

In such a short span of time Bryden has achieved so much that one wonders with awe!  Here is an example for all youth to emulate: that dedication and focus can achieve success in one’s life. He is already a celebrity of sort, an un-assuming, simple and down to earth guy.  It is very rare to find such qualities in an artist these days.  Nevertheless, he says that he has a long way to go and new heights to scale in the years to come.  Thanks to his parents, family members and friends who fully support his dream.  We will definitely hear more about Bryden in the days to come with his band Slain and with “The Raghu Dixit Project” and their world tours.  For the time being let us all wish Bryden, a legend in the making all the very best in realizing his dream in his chosen field of music.

 

Contact:
Bryden Stephen Lewis
Mobile: (+919886387132)
Email: brydenlewis27@gmail.com