Interview: Spencer Sutherland on His New Song and Video, ‘Help’ + More
Spencer Sutherland is a self-taught singer/songwriter with musical influences that range from Elvis to The Temptations to Bruno Mars. His pop-like beat with deep lyrics will pull at your heartstrings. Spencer sat down with Glitter to talk about his songwriting process, his new song, “Help,” his big break, dream collab, and much more. Read on to find out more about this amazingly talented singer.
GLITTER: Where are you originally from and how did you start writing and making music?
SPENCER: I’m originally from Columbus, Ohio. I started singing anywhere and everywhere I could! Restaurants, festivals with no people, and outside stores! I started writing music because I wanted to be a real artist and not only cover other people’s songs.
GLITTER: How would you describe your sound?
SPENCER: Pop with an alt-soul edge. Honest and real lyrics!
GLITTER: Who are your musical influences?
SPENCER: Elvis, The Temptations, Bruno Mars, and Green Day.
GLITTER: What is your songwriting process like?
SPENCER: It’s different with every song, but it usually starts with something I’m feeling in my life. Then we try to take that and flip it on its head and say it a different way!
GLITTER: What can you tell us about your new song, “Help?”
SPENCER: “Help” is the most honest song I have ever written, I think. It has influences of gospel, acoustic, singer/songwriter, and of course pop. I think it also really relates to the world right now.
GLITTER: What do you hope fans take away from the song after hearing it?
SPENCER: I hope it helps someone who has anxiety, or I hope people can connect.
GLITTER: With tours canceled, can you fill us in on some of the live activations you’ve been a part of?
SPENCER: Every and all! I’ve done live streams, zooms, twitch streams, etc. It definitely isn’t close to as good as live performances, but it helps!
GLITTER: When and what, would you consider to be your big break?
SPENCER: I actually wouldn’t say I had a BIG BREAK necessarily. I think I’ve been steadily grinding over the years, and the hours and hours of meeting fans, or working hard or honestly just NOT GIVING UP have all amounted to any success I’ve had. My fans are my big break probably.
GLITTER: What was it like being the first American to compete on the X Factor UK?
SPENCER: It was so fun and so fast! Even though I lived in London for months, I felt like it went by in a week. Lifelong friends and great experiences.
GLITTER: You were selected as The Today Show’s Artist of the Month, what was your reaction?
SPENCER: I was so excited! It’s such an iconic thing to be chosen for! I think I jumped in the middle of a crowded street and freaked people out lol.
GLITTER: Do you have any cool memories you can share from the “Good Friends Are Nice Tour,” or the “The Freaking Out Tour”?
SPENCER: I have too many! Touring is my favorite thing in the world and I miss it so dearly. Meeting all kinds of people from all over the world is the highlight for sure. There have been many gas stations that we’ve been kicked out of for chasing each other and doing dumb things. I love it SO MUCH.
GLITTER: What would be a dream collaboration for you?
SPENCER: Bruno Mars FOR SURE. I would love to write, produce, and put out a song with him.
GLITTER: Who is your mentor?
SPENCER: My dad for sure. I go to him for EVERYTHING.
GLITTER: Best advice you were ever given?
SPENCER: That I’m going to get a million no’s in this industry. But it’s the one YES that will change my life forever. That was true!
GLITTER: How do you use your voice for change?
SPENCER: I try to speak up and spread awareness the best I can when there are social issues that I feel strongly about. Other than that, I try to spread POSITIVITY AND JOY during dark times or stressful situations. I absolutely love singing in children’s hospitals. If I can change someone’s outlook even for a day, that’s what matters.
GLITTER: What are your thoughts on the current state of our nation and the #BlackLivesMatter Movement?
SPENCER: I think that we as a nation needed a wake-up call! I’m so saddened and upset that our Black community is hurting so much. It’s time that everyone stands up and speaks out, and we’ve all done a fantastic job of doing that so far. I will keep being an ally and keep helping to work towards justice!
GLITTER: What can others do to show support?
SPENCER: You can do SO MUCH! Anything from posting/reposting on social media, signing endless petitions, and donating! If you want to do something physical, then you can peacefully protest in your city/town. I love seeing the country and world come together. There’s going to always be bad and good on any side, but if we each do our part, we can see real justice and change.
GLITTER: As you know, Glitter has a Celebrity #SelfLoveCampaign and you participated years back with this quote: “Self-love means having confidence in your own skin, being happy with who you are and listening to just your voice because there is no time in life to worry about everyone else’s negative opinions.” Has your idea of self-love evolved since then or do you have anything more to share on what it means to you?
SPENCER: THAT SOUNDS LIKE ME. Still holds true to that. Sometimes I let other opinions get to me because nobody’s perfect, but it’s good to be reminded 🙂
GLITTER: What’s on your playlist right now?
SPENCER: The 1975, Josie Dunne, Little Richard (rip king), Rex Orange County.
GLITTER: What’s a day in the life for you like in isolation?
SPENCER: Balcony workout, lots of food, TikTok, Zoom sessions, and a movie every night.
GLITTER: Favorite ways to find your Zen?
SPENCER: Working out I think, but lately it’s been painting!
GLITTER: First place you’ll go when isolation ends?
SPENCER: The gym! Then the bar, and then on tour.
GLITTER: What are your top 5 binge-worthy shows?
SPENCER: Outer Banks, The Office, Hollywood, Ozark, and Tiger King.
GLITTER: Sage or Palo Santo?
SPENCER: PALO SANTO all day.
GLITTER: Kombucha or Green Drinks?
SPENCER: Both actually.
GLITTER: Your style is amazing. Do you have any favorite brands?
SPENCER: Yes! ASOS, Zara, and Topshop are some favs other than vintage.
GLITTER: Any projects you can tell us about that you’re working on next?
SPENCER: I have my first ever movie that I’m going to be a part of! And, of course, lots of new music.
GLITTER: Any special talents outside of singing?
SPENCER: Writing music video treatments! I love it and I think I’m pretty good. Also, I can play basketball pretty well.
GLITTER: Best social platform for fans to find you?
SPENCER: Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube! •
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