Following on from the release of his highly-praised debut album 'Sounds Waves' in 2021, Bristol-based artist Spencer Flay is back once again to unveil his vibrant new single 'Out Out'.
Teaming up with fellow vocalist Nicole Silva for the new offering, 'Out Out' makes for a wonderfully fresh and illuminating listen. Channelling a heady mix of pop and dancehall textures throughout his latest gem, he is certainly one to keep close eye on for the months ahead as well.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Definitely the Ukulele, I gave up on guitar pretty quickly when I was young and assumed I didn’t have the minerals to play it. But after buying the Uke for a laugh I realised the chord shapes were exactly the same. So the Ukulele is the reason I’m a musician today, that’s why I loves it.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
When me and my mates were teenagers we would go to what were called “nappy nights” (night club experience for 16/17 year olds at a local night club). Imagine the ‘Inbetweeners’ with Bristolian accents. And the clubs were playing hip-hop and dancehall/reggaeton and we’d all be dancing hard whilst high on panda pops in a shirt and trousers our dads had lent us cos that’s what we thought we had to wear to a night club.
What was the first album you remember owning?
The Marshal Mathers LP
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Last Christmas - Wham because I’d be coining it in.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I have a good chat with my workmates down the docks, I usually gather song writing ammunition from them and their experiences. Most of my songs are written from the perspective of other people and coz I can spend up to 12 hours a day with those blokes I tend to create song perspectives from them. Or my wife who actually helps me write a lot of my songs.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I love Sickick, his remixes and own interpretations of other people's music always gets me nodding my head, sometimes quite aggressively.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Fred Again or Ed Sheeran.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
When I spot someone singing one of my own songs along with me. I was rapping my song Bristol Bloke before, which is quite a tongue twister and the bride of the wedding I was playing sang every word. I was well impressed.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Someone resting their full glass of drink on my desk with my laptop, midi keyboard, sampler pad on it. It’s not a table.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Always play/create music that you love. Not what other people love.
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Spencer Flay's new single 'Out Out' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.