“Why doesn’t he stick to acting?!” Damien Lewis says in an angry, sarcastic pantomime. The 52-year-old star, who starred in hit TV dramas from Band of Brothers to Homeland to Billions via Wolf Hall, has responded to his most audacious career move yet. Are expected. On Friday, Lewis will release his debut album of his own songs.
“This country is notoriously bad at changing lanes,” he says. “I know how dangerous it is for me to sneak into another field of art. is. Throw it at me! “
Released two years after Lewis’ wife, actress Helen McCrory, died of breast cancer, Mission Creep is a set of roots-y, bluesy, folky and rocky songs about love and life. His soulful high-tenor voice flows effortlessly through a textured web. Meters and gauges. Recorded with a selection of bands from the UK jazz scene, this (although by no means a jazz album) is romantic, quirky, witty, wise, deeply moving and indisputably perfect. I have.
“I said to everyone involved, ‘I’m doing this for myself, for fun, so let’s try it.’ Lewis self-financed the recording.” But then he signed to major label Decca, a division of Universal Music.
He compares his current state of mild anxiety to “when critics were sharpening their quills in the corner at the National Theater on press night,” but with one big difference. I am aware of something. “In theater, you are part of a group, so if it becomes a big deal, everyone’s neck is in danger. This album is really all my work. I write and perform the songs.” So I must be the most vulnerable.” Nonetheless, he added: There is real authorship in it, and I enjoy it. “
