Born in Rimbey, Alta., but raised in Dunster since she was five, Sasha Lewis will bring her unique songwriting abilities and powerful vocals to Valemount and Jasper this week.

Growing up in Dunster had its challenges for Lewis because of its location and size, but it also gave her strength and a sense of community. 

“The people there were encouraging and wonderful to be around in my childhood. It was a rare place to grow up, I’m grateful for my roots being there. I do come back to visit as much as I can,” she says.

Lewis began her musical journey so young that she says she can’t remember the exact age it all started.

“But all my life there was a pull towards music even before I started school. I do remember that I was 11 when I wrote my first song and 12 when I picked up the guitar and formed the two together. I still have that song book with my early writings, now I have stacks of them and the rest is history!”

Lewis says she was surrounded by a family of musicians growing up.

“When my grandfather passed away – when I was 4 – he left me his accordion. It was as big as me and I would play it all the time. My mother taught me my first few chords. I would jam with my parents and my father had a group of neighbours that would come out for nights of music and I was always involved. I wouldn’t want to go to bed in case I missed out on something amazing,” she exclaims.

Lewis says she has had many musical influences, summing them all up as folk rock and roots. She writes all of her own music, though she has and still co-writes songs with bands and artists for other projects.

“I also host and participate in songwriting workshops, but everything I perform and record under my name is my original work.”

As for songwriting, Lewis says she has many muses for inspiration.

“But sometimes inspiration can smack you in the face when you least expect it. I also find much of it is through experiences I myself or someone else may have gone through.”

This won’t be Lewis’ first time performing in Jasper. She performed here years ago, “like in the 90s”, at the Atha B night club and the Jasper Folk Festival. 

“I have known Seth and Shara for more than 15 years so I have had my share of shows with these two fine folks,” she says of the upcoming show.

As far as her preference of venue, Lewis says that varies.

“I have a few different arrangements I can be solo, duet, trio or a full five piece band. So if it is fitting and we are having fun then I’m happy. The music speaks for itself and it spills over to the audience so if it’s a house concert, to a large theatre it depends on the feelings being delivered in the show that makes the venue glow. I do have a soft spot for music festivals, though.”

As for her future, Lewis says her plan is to sustain herself more and more as she grows with the changing music industry. 

“I plan on being around for years to come. This is too much fun, living my dream as a reality is the best thing anyone could ever ask for.”

Catch Lewis in a double bill show with Seth Macdonald and Shara Gustafson in Valemount tonight, April 7, or in Jasper on April 8. Check out their websites for show times and venues, www.sashalewis.com or www.myspace.com/mamaandtheguru