At just 21, Veronica Lewis is already carving out a place among the most exciting voices in modern indie rock. Fresh off the release of her new album Too Late For Tears—a record she wrote, produced, and performed almost entirely herself—Lewis is proving she's far more than a former wunderkind. With a sound that blends the fiery spirit of early rock, the emotional nuance of Fiona Apple, and the shimmer of today's indie-pop icons, Lewis crafts songs that feel both timeless and deeply personal. As she sets out on her East Coast tour this summer, we caught up with her to talk about her evolution as an artist, the stories behind Too Late For Tears, and what’s inspiring her next.
Q: In your opinion, what are the essential qualities that make a “good songwriter”?
I believe if you’re writing any kind of song, you’re already doing something really brave and powerful. It takes a lot to turn your thoughts and emotions into something others can feel. Songwriting that I most connect with, and that I try to write, comes from trusting your own instincts and having a strong internal compass.
Q: What is the basis for writing attention-grabbing music in this day and age?
For me, when writing and making music, it is so important to focus on what best serves the song and the feeling you are trying to create. It’s easy to get distracted from outside influences and pressures, and that can have an effect on your creative process. If you're making music that is authentic and true to you, that's what's most important.
Q: Can you pinpoint some specific songs or songwriters that changed the way you write music?
Yes! Rhythm is where everything started for me. When I was growing up, and first learning to play piano, I started playing boogie-woogie and early rock and roll. And, that was always about the left-hand rhythm, which was the heartbeat of the whole song. That is something I have taken with me even now. When I’m writing, it’s the rhythm that leads the melody. In terms of songwriters, I’ve been inspired by artists like Fiona Apple, Tori Amos, Alanis Morrisette, and Little Richard. They made it okay to be messy, intense, empowered, vulnerable, poetic, and 100% themselves.
Q: Do you find it hard to be inspired by your peers? Can you name any new artists you find inspiring?
I am constantly inspired by new artists! There’s so much genre-bending and rule-breaking, and it’s such an exciting time in music! Some artists I’ve been listening to lately who really move me are Soccer Mommy, Julia Jacklin, Maggie Rogers, Dora Jar, Beabadoobee, and Lizzy McAlpine.
Q: For your new album, what inspired the lyrical content, album title, and overall vibe?
Too Late For Tears is an album about emotional release and how it feels to grow up. Dealing with your world changing and realizing that many of the relationships and identities we cling to aren’t meant to last. The songs are about navigating endings of friendships, of illusions, and sometimes of old versions of myself.
Q: Do you hold on to songs for a long time, or do you prefer to write and release them quickly? Do you ever revisit old material?
Usually, by the time I sit down to write, I’ve already processed a lot emotionally. Writing the song becomes a moment of release, finally understanding what I’ve been feeling. And I rarely rewrite old songs because I feel like songwriting is a timestamp. And, it’s important for me to capture the song in the moment when I’m feeling most connected to it.
Q: Were there any lessons you learned in the writing and recording process for this album that you’ll take into your next project?
The biggest lesson I learned is to have confidence in myself and my vision. I wrote, arranged, performed, and produced this album myself, and it taught me that trusting my instincts is such an important part of creating my music. At the same time, this process showed me that I’m ready to collaborate more. Now that I have a better understanding of who I am as an artist, and what I’m trying to say, I feel empowered with the confidence of knowing my own vision.
Tour Dates:
06/04 – Cambridge, MA @ Club Passim
06/06 – Northampton, MA @ The Parlor Room
06/07 – Brooklyn, NY @ The Sultan Room Rooftop
06/10 – Washington, DC @ Pie Shop
06/11 – Wayne, PA @ 118 North
06/13 – Charlotte, NC @ White Water Center
06/27 – Portsmouth, NH @ The Music Hall
Tickets available at:
https://veronicalewis.ffm.to/summertour2025.OPR