Spencer Barnett (США)

Spencer Barnett’s voice can make a song you’ve heard a hundred times a brand new experience.  It’s the kind of voice that makes you pick your head up. 

In July 2014, when Spencer entered Shangri-La Studios in Malibu, it was his first time in a recording studio.  He was there to record with Stephan Jenkins of Third Eye Blind, who had invited him in to make an album. Spencer walked in that first morning with his signature smile on his face, his guitar in his hand and his SSAT study materials in his backpack.

The fact that Spencer was 13 years old when he recorded these songs barely bears mentioning, because there’s something about the way he sings, something about his interpretation of music that sounds almost ageless.  

“A few years ago, I joined a student band and nobody wanted to sing,” says Spencer. “So I said, ’I’ll give it a shot,’ and I actually surprised myself to discover that I was a half decent singer.” 

Spencer initially caught Jenkins’ ear by playing him his beautifully uplifting version of “Hallelujah.”  They recorded that track together along with Spencer’s haunting rendition of Bon Iver’s “Blood Bank,” and gorgeous versions of John Legend’s “All of Me” and Death Cab For Cutie’s “I Will Follow You Into The Dark.”  His cover of Calvin Harris’ anthem “Summer” maintains a surprising smoothness, while still being playfully dynamic. 

As Spencer explored the world of the music industry, both as an artist and on the business end of things, he decided to start his own label, Mission Records, where the proceeds are used to give back to the community, and where both artists and fans can make music into a powerful force for good. 

Spencer Barnett’s 13 Summers In EP is out now!