Toronto Multi-Hyphenate John Lewitt Releases Vibrant New Pop-Rock Anthem “Six Ways to Sunday”
Renowned songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist John Lewitt is set to capture the spirit of optimism with his latest single, “Six Ways To Sunday,” out now. The track serves as the cornerstone of his upcoming 11th solo album of the same name, offering a masterclass in pop-rock craftsmanship that draws inspiration from the timeless melodicism of the Beatles and the rugged heart of Tom Petty. Written, performed, mixed, and produced entirely by Lewitt, the project highlights his “old school” dedication to organic instrumentation and pure, joyful songwriting.
“Six Ways To Sunday” is an upbeat exploration of a life lived through music, acknowledging a journey filled with unique successes while maintaining an unwavering eye toward the future. The song’s infectious energy is matched by its lyrical candor, featuring standout lines such as: “I’m six ways to Sunday / Yeah I’m only okay / I’m done trying everything / And banking on what tomorrow will bring”. The single creates an immediate sense of camaraderie, inviting listeners into a sonic space where perseverance is celebrated with a driving beat and a hopeful outlook.
Based in Toronto, Lewitt identifies first and foremost as a songwriter, a passion that has fueled a staggering output of 15 albums since he began officially releasing music in 2016. His creative versatility has led him to the stages of iconic venues such as Roy Thomson Hall and the Horseshoe Tavern, as well as into the world of film and television sync. In the last two years alone, his work has been featured in a diverse array of programming, including The Young & The Restless, ESPN Portraits, and 7 Little Johnstons, proving his ability to craft melodies that resonate across medium and genre.
The production of the new single and the forthcoming album represents a return to foundational artistry. Eschewing virtual instruments, Lewitt played every note and sang every harmony himself, creating a rich, hand-crafted sound that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly modern. This “all-in” approach extends to his work as a producer for other artists, including his recent collaboration on the Yacht Rock project Rum & Jasmine and producing debut releases for rising talents Lexi Cosentino and Jonathan Sanson.
Beyond the studio, Lewitt is deeply committed to the health of the Canadian music ecosystem. As a dedicated philanthropist, he actively supports initiatives such as MusiCounts, The Doane School of Music, and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, ensuring that the next generation of storytellers has the tools to thrive. This spirit of community and mentorship informs his own music, which he views as a necessary respite and a source of genuine fun in a complex world.
With “Six Ways To Sunday,” Lewitt cements his status as one of Canada’s most prolific and reliable musical voices. The single is a testament to the power of a great hook and the enduring relevance of the classic singer-songwriter tradition. Fans can pre-save the track and prepare for the full album release this April, as Lewitt continues to prove that his best stories are still being told.
Hi, John! Good to meet you! Care to introduce yourself to the readers for those not familiar with your music?
Nice to meet you too. I’m a Canadian artist who started writing songs when I was a teenager and I’ve never stopped. Six Ways To Sunday is my latest collection of tunes that I’m proud to share with the world. And where might have you heard of me? Well I do write and record a lot of music every year and there are basically three tiers to my musical career. First off, I’ve been actively releasing music for the past 10 years. I’ve released a tonne of solo albums, a series of albums called Co-Writes (which is sort of self explanatory), and a handful of collaborations with other artists that I love to work with – this music is available everywhere you can stream music and has gotten some good streaming numbers and radio airplay over the years. Secondly, I’ve recently done a lot of production work; last year alone I produced the debut album by Jonathan Sanson, the debut single by Lexi Cosentino and the Yacht Rock album by Bamtone & Lewitt. Finally, I’ve made a bunch of music specifically for use in the Film and Television Sync World.
Six Ways To Sunday” feels instantly uplifting. What moment or feeling kicked off the song?
Thanks! It’s funny, lyrically the song is about frustration, but emotionally it’s a very upbeat song and it was very easy to write. I’ve had a lot of little successes over my career, but I’ve never had the big breakthrough I dreamt of as a kid and that’s what this song is about. Like, I’ve tried everything I can think of to get people to listen to my music, what more should I be doing? I truly think it would have been easier for me to have had a hit 20 or 30 years ago when there wasn’t as much music being released every single day on Spotify and all the other services. So that’s where this song came from!
You played and produced everything yourself. What did that freedom unlock creatively?
There’s both benefits and drawbacks to making music this way. When I work on music by myself, there are a lot of starts and stops as I build the arrangements over time. I’ll think a song is done and then three weeks later I’ll get an idea for a new part to add to it. So the arrangements on these songs are fairly well thought out – I probably spent 2 years with these songs before I got them to this stage, ready for release. Further to that, my proficiency on different instruments is all over the place, so sometimes there’s a restraint in the parts I’m playing based on my lack of ability! And for better or worse I never show off musically in my songs, even when I can. When I work with other musicians, the process is way quicker. I accept their creative ideas wholeheartedly and use their ideas as inspiration for myself, which creates arrangements I would never have thought of. So there’s the two sides to my creative coin.
With 15 albums since 2016, what keeps your songwriting engine running at that pace?
Good question. Knock on wood, I’ve never suffered writer’s block. I’m always working on multiple projects and perhaps that keeps me sharp and the creative engines running. For example, I just finished doing an album of 80’s Synth Pop Tunes for a music library and they’re obviously nothing like the songs on Six Ways To Sunday. And currently I’m working on an instrumental trio album for Film & TV Sync featuring just drums, piano and cello, which is miles away from the music on this album! But generally speaking I never sit down with the intention of writing a song, rather they just come out of me when I’ve got a guitar in my hands or when I’m sitting at the piano and I just have to be ready to capture the idea as it presents itself to me. I guess you could say that writing in different styles keeps me in fighting form.
You support MusiCounts and young artists. What advice would you give your younger self?
Well, I could probably write myself a book on this subject and if I had a time machine I would! Personally I became a musician so that I could write the songs that I was hearing in my head. As such I didn’t practice as much as I probably should have, as I spent most of my time trying to write songs. I was self taught so I never spent time playing scales or learning basic theory, which I’m sure would have helped my songwriting! I’d also tell myself to play with as many other musicians as possible, which I didn’t do as much as I should have. You can learn so much from other musicians, regardless of their skill level. From an education standpoint, I would have loved it if music had been part of my school curriculum from day one and I believe it should be. Music helps you explore your creativity, it subliminally teaches you math, and it builds coordination. Aren’t those things we want our children to be learning at an early age?