20 Q’S WITH SPENCER BARNETT

Spend three minutes and eleven seconds lost in “48 Hours in Paris” with Spencer Barnett. Spencer brings together juxtaposed feelings from his lyrics, his musical tone, and even in his often high contrast visuals. Barnett is adding “48 Hours in Paris” seemingly seamlessly into his three-part EP trilogy worthy of a double-take.

Raised in San Francisco, it is apparent to see the bayside influences in his unique laid back and yet sharp and stylized energy. Now Spencer is spending his days in Los Angeles focusing on making genre-bending music that has an indie base, alternative add-ins, with a twist of psychedelic sound on top.

Spencer tackles storytelling with bold moves and confidence showing once again that sometimes the best thing to come is in the hands of those some may say are too young to understand such complexities.

With dark hair, leather jackets, and the occasional provocative lyric, those susceptible to such charms should put their heart on guard because Spencer is the exact type to make you want to give it away. If none of that trips your trigger – he also plays a couple of other instruments but, I’ll let him tell you more about that in the 20 questions below.

Hi how are you today?

I’m vibing! Thank you

Why did you decide to pursue music? 

I don’t think I even had a decision. I can’t even imagine doing anything else. I feel so lucky that my job is jamming with my friends and playing guitar.

What do you hope people take away from your new single “48 Hours in Paris?” 

Have fun, and live life. I didn’t really write the song with a specific moral in mind, it’s more of an account of my experiences so I hope people can draw whatever they connect to from that.

How many instruments do you play? Do you have a favorite? 

Guitar is for sure my favorite and the instrument I gravitate the most towards, but I can play a bit of piano and bass and well. I am currently trying to learn drums.

What was it like being raised in the Bay Area? Is there something the Bay just does best? 

Constant cold weather haha! I love the Bay though. It’s an incredibly beautiful place that’s a melting pot of so many cultures which was great to grow up around. Now I’m on the east coast where I was born and loving that as well! Honestly, the people definitely make the place.

What does your creative process look like while working on an EP trilogy? 

All three projects were written in very specific moments in my life to capture that version of me and what I was thinking about. That’s what I think makes the trilogy so special. Whether you like the songs or not, it shows my wins and failures as a person and an artist throughout a two year period of my life.

Favorite lyric of your own? 

“I’m my own worst enemy, I’m my own best friend.” Sometimes I get in my own way on things… creativity, writing, life, girls, but at the end of the day I am who I am. It’s kind of a simple realization but the sooner you embrace your flaws, the happier you are.

Best advice you have ever received? 

Take a step back when you’re too close to a problem. If you get defensive about it, you’re too close.

Favorite smell? 

Pine Trees in the forest. 

Favorite flower? 

Orchids.

What’s a book, quote, or lyric that changed your perspective? 

Begin Again is an incredible commentary on America and it’s past through the lens of James Baldwin.

What do you implement as self-care? 

I try to work out to clear my head and eat healthy when I can. But that studio diet can be all over the place sometimes.

Favorite artist? 

I have a ton, but if I had to pick one it would probably be Bon Iver. Their music is the ultimate example of how minimalism and texture is all the matters in art.

Where do you draw inspiration from? 

I think we all subconsciously draw inspiration from every aspect of our lives. For me, that’s music, art, film, but also conversation, jams, experiences, failures. I try to keep my eyes open at all times to absorb what is happening around me.

Favorite holiday and why? 

Halloween, love the costumes and the fun parties.

What’s your spirit animal? 

A chinchilla!

What do you hope people take away from your new songs “eta” and “Welcome to My Mind?” 

“Welcome to My Mind,” specifically, marked a breakthrough for me as a person where I stopped caring as much about what other people think. This allowed me to write music that was more raw and true including songs like “eta.” It was a huge moment for me.

Do you have any opinions on living in LA you want to share? 

I personally am not the biggest fan. I just moved to New York City for the next bit and I am not in a hurry to head back to LA. I have a lot of friends that I love out there, but the lifestyle of the city is not compatible with my personality haha. I love walking around and doing a hundred different things in a day, so LA just isn’t necessarily right for me.

Anything else you want to add?

I am currently finishing up my new EP and simultaneously working on my debut album so I’ll be putting out a ton of music over the next couple months!

 

CONNECT WITH SPENCER BARNETT

INSTAGRAM // TWITTER // SPOTIFY

photos / Bellamy Brewster

story / Weslee Kate