Donna Lewis continues to enchant audiences not just with her ethereal voice, but the profound narratives woven into her diverse songs. In her upcoming album, “Rooms With A View,” Lewis shares with her listeners her journey of being diagnosed with breast cancer. This extraordinary individual has faced the challenging journey of a cancer diagnosis with unwavering determination, channeling her experiences into her craft, resulting in an album that echoes both vulnerability and strength. Read on to learn more about Donna Lewis.

Where are you based?
Upstate New York.

What inspired you to start songwriting?
I started playing the piano when I was six years old and I was always around a lot of music as my father played jazz guitar and piano, and had a great record collection. Hearing artists like Elton John inspired me to start writing.

How would you describe your music style? What inspires your songs?
Atmospheric ethereal pop. Life and people.

Congratulations on the release of your song “The Messenger.” Can you tell us the story behind this song?
When I received my breast cancer diagnosis in 2021 it came as a total shock as I was pretty fit and healthy; so, I started to write about cancer being the uninvited and unwelcome messenger, a dark dweller that I needed to banish from my life.

We heard that you are releasing a new album called Rooms With A View with Holmes Ives. What was the inspiration behind this album?
It started out as a collaboration on a few instrumental tracks that Holmes sent me, and the dark soundscapes started to inspire my lyrics. I had kept a journal throughout my cancer journey and the words just started to flood out into the music. Each song became a different chapter of my story.

What was it like collaborating with Holmes Ives?
Great! We’ve never met in person yet….it’s crazy. He would send me some instrumental tracks and I would write and record in my studio and then send finished vocal stems back to him. We sent each other ideas back and forth until we felt the songs were right.

How did the collaboration influence the direction of the songs? Did you experiment with any new musical styles or genres in this album?
He has a very different style to me, electronic, trip hop style which I loved and the tracks had a darkness to them which led to me to writing different chapters of my story.

What makes this album unique to your previous ones? What should listeners anticipate and know before the release of the album?
I feel my vocal style is still ethereal and atmospheric on top of Holmes’s stunning sound beds, but this time the lyrics are very personal and the album is the story…. how the chapters of this story unfold.

How do you feel your music has evolved since “I Love You, Always Forever”?
I’ve always been a very diverse writer and love experimenting with different musical genres. I’ve been involved in some interesting recording projects since I love you always forever.

In what ways has the experience of facing a health challenge impacted your songwriting and the stories you want to tell in this album?
I never planned to write about my health challenges, but the music inspired the lyrics and it just grew organically. I felt I needed to share this record with others going through different life challenges especially those with breast cancer, so they don’t feel so alone.

How has your perspective on life and creativity shifted since your diagnosis, and how does that come through in your music?
These things definitely change you and make you look at how you are living your life. I just want to make beautiful art through my music and create at my own pace while enjoying life.

What motivated you to share your journey with cancer through your music? Do you hope your story will inspire or connect with others who are going through similar experiences?
As the songs were progressing I just knew I had to share this record. It was healing for me and I hope it gives support and inspiration to others going through the same experience. It is an offering of hope to anyone going through a dark tunnel.

How has music helped you cope with difficult times?
I feel I can express my feelings through music. Music has this amazing power of bringing people together and giving us an experience of being less alone.

We heard you are an ambassador for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Can you tell us about the movement?
It’s one of the largest breast cancer movements in the country and it provides a supportive community for courageous breast cancer survivors by fundraising, advocacy, research, and patient support. These 3-5 mile non competitive walks provide a supportive community for survivors and people living with metastatic breast cancer, caregivers and families alike.

Do you have any advice for anyone struggling with cancer?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. I think many of us feel we can do everything on our own, but friends and family want to help. Never be afraid to ask. Also talk to others that have had a similar experience…..it’s so comforting knowing you’re not alone as cancer can be so overwhelming.

What's next for you after the release of this album?
We’re making a short film…..a beautiful art piece about the story.

It has been a crazy past few years, how have you been staying positive?
Long walks in the country, remembering to meditate and making music.

What is your motto in life?
At the moment it’s probably ‘Holy shit we’re alive’. My friend bought me a journal with that text on the cover, and I love it!!!!

To learn more about Donna Lewis, follow the links below:
Donna Lewis
Insta: @donnalewismusic
Facebook: @donnalewis
YouTube: @TheDonnaLewisChannel
American Cancer Society

Donna Lewis - Fighting the Battle with Melodic Resistance