Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nicholas Lewert. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Nicholas, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Hi. I don’t know if I knew this scenario would be considered a “risk” at the time. In 2017, I began my first semester at a university in south Florida. I was involved in their music performance program at the college for the duration of the semester. Admittedly, there was never a time where I felt settled and in the “right place” while in this program. Not to overplay the “I never fit in” stereotype, but I truly didn’t align with the curriculum they were offering. At the time, I felt I had already experienced an atmosphere of belonging in other programs, such as my time during the Berklee five week program, and even my high school marching band. I knew something had to change which isn’t an easy realization. Seemingly overnight, I was contacted by someone who was professionally touring as a drummer at the time, and proposed I take over his spot, since he was officially moving to Los Angeles. This would require me to completely change gears, essentially dropping everything including school. I had no idea how to realistically project what my life would look like after the first tour I did, but naturally assumed the change would be significantly drastic. With the exception of March 2020 through when the live music world opened back up, there hasn’t been much time I’ve spent off the touring schedule since my first tour in 2018. It’s not in any way been the most secure or stable way to live in the conventional sense, but it has been deeply satisfying creatively. I’ve made most of my closest friends due to the touring world, and would never think to trade it, even as much of a “risk” this lifestyle still may be. I am currently booked for 4 months of this year already, some of which include dates of an iconic festival I’ve always dreamed of being a part of.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hello!!! My name is Nicholas Lewert and I’m a musician from south Florida. Primarily, I am the drummer for the band Games We Play, who I began playing with in February of 2024. I started touring in 2018 after leaving my first semester of college and have been fortunate enough to be able to continue playing with artists since. Touring has given me the opportunity to play shows with some of legendary artists including Fall Out Boy, Jimmy Eat World, and All Time Low at some bucket list venues including Madison Square Garden. Whenever I can, I enjoy filming and editing music videos, as well as producing and engineering music. I recently started my own project, CRXSSOURHEARTS, with the guitarist of Games We Play, Kyle Fink. Writing and self-producing this project has thrown me into a headspace I’ve never been challenged to exist in before. It’s admittedly less consistently my focus in comparison to the amount I’m on the road, but find it’s a necessary outlet of creative expression that I don’t find in the same way with just drumming.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Without going into too much detail, I would be willing to admit I was a bit lost along the way, midway through 2023. Having been 5 full years into my “professional” career, it didn’t feel like it. I had felt I had accomplished things, but distinctly remember coming to the realization that in no way did I feel fulfilled. I decided to step away from everything at the time and try to regroup to the best of my abilities. Very soon after, I found myself in the position to be auditioning to step in as the new drummer for Games We Play, after not being at all sure what the next time I would play again would be. I’ve never felt more at home and on the right path than I have been with this band of best friends.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

At the risk of being cliche, I think, in my experience, people and groups who are in any industry seem to be more successful when being as genuine as possible. I feel like social media glamorizes the incessant need to promote and sell and curate a thing and make everything into a product that no one wants to buy. It could just be me, but whenever I see click-baity tiktok of music promotion, I feel like nothing about that style is appealing and is very hard to relate. I feel that version of engagement is painfully temporary. People have always resonated with art that genuinely lets their guard down and lets them feel like they’re really in on it. A tongue-in-cheek, self-aware, or even self-deprecating point is going to hit way harder than an, “If you’re a fan of Billie Eilish and Green Day, than this is band is for you!” video every time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/crxssourhearts?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZ3K2RmDTXDw_CmJnW7co9sFy1ZH1OVS5cNKHwjMiMtGgan_Qy9NwfVzGA_aem_YmGXBmILlhgjs1JtG68HhA
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicklewertdrums/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nicklewertdrums

Image Credits

Juneau Janzen
Tessa Smith
Kay Dargen
Juan Flores