Today we’d like to introduce you to Spencer Sanders
Hi Spencer, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m someone who never learned to sit still. Whether it was the moving to five different places as a kid, or the ADHD diagnosis, I’ve always loved moving, exploring, and finding “what’s next.”
My journey with music began in the simplest way—banging on pots and pans at three years old. By six, I was playing piano, violin at twelve, ukulele at sixteen, and guitar by twenty-two. But even as I explored different instruments, I didn’t fully embrace the title of “musician” until I began playing and singing the songs I’d written about my life.
I’d been a creative for years, writing poems, stories, and plays. In high school, I wrote a two-act musical. But it wasn’t until the pandemic that I gave music everything I had. Like many artists, quarantine forced me to reflect and create without distractions.
I wrote songs about feeling ostracized at a religious school, finding myself as guide in Yellowstone National Park, escaping to San Francisco to be with my boyfriend, and then watching that relationship fade into tragedy.
I have a remarkable family that have ridden this journey with me through every twist and turn, and I’m proud to say they’ve become some of my dearest friends. My parents specifically were the ones to fan the flames of every creative endeavor I’ve had, from attending my debut at the Utah Shakespeare Festival to accompanying me for my first time recording in a Nashville studio.
My debut album, Almanac: Volume 1, is a product of those tumultuous days, with many songs written in isolation. Music has often been my way of processing emotions—whether it’s 3 a.m. at my piano or tapping out a rhythm on the steering wheel in rush hour traffic. It’s been a dream seeing my little songs come to life and have the world embrace them. I can’t wait for what’s ahead.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road to where I am today has been anything but smooth. While I’m lucky to have had early support for my mental health diagnosis, living with bipolar disorder comes with challenges. It’s easy to feel paralyzed by overwhelming emotions, and I’ve faced moments of losing friendships and driving people away. But my incomparable mother knew exactly how to help me navigate those minefields, as she’d faced her own journey through it herself. I’m forever grateful for her helping me find stability.
I’ve also received a lot of opposition as a queer man, whether intended or accidental. I experienced a lot of internal conflict growing up gay and religious, and it wasn’t helped by the death threats I received from extremist groups at college. Though, experiencing their extreme hate taught me to trust people not by their empty sentiments, false kindness, and proclaimed righteousness, but by their actions. It took me years to find my footing and approach life and love with confidence, but I’m happy to say it does get better.
As an artist, I’ve also wrestled with finding my voice and confidence in a competitive industry. There’s vulnerability in sharing your most intimate emotions with the world, and learning to embrace that has taken time. Yet, every obstacle has also been an opportunity for growth and inspiration. The struggles have fueled my songwriting, allowing me to create music that connects with others navigating their own highs and lows.
In hindsight, the challenges have been integral to my journey. They’ve given depth to my artistry and shaped the stories I’m now proud to share with the world.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a singer-songwriter who creates music that delves into the complexities of love, identity, and mental health. My debut album, Almanac: Volume 1, reflects the highs, lows, and the ache of the in-between moments of life, blending genres like folk, Americana, chamber pop, and indie rock to tell deeply personal stories. Each song represents a different emotional state, from heartbreak and loss of friendship in “Rust” to self-acceptance and joy in “Golden Age.”
What sets me apart is my ability to transform life’s extremes into music that feels both intimate and universal. As a queer man navigating life with bipolar disorder, I bring a unique perspective to my work, combining emotional honesty with a genre-bending sound. My songs are raw, vulnerable, and unafraid to explore the realities of life, creating a connection with listeners who’ve faced similar challenges.
I’m most proud of how my music resonates with others. It’s been incredible to get random messages from strangers on social media, telling me how important my words are to them. I’m very proud of my abilities as a lyricist, and knowing that the stanzas I drafted in my Notes app have helped people find healing means the world to me. My goal is to always leave people better than I found them, and I try to do that with my music. That doesn’t mean only singing positive, happy songs. I believe that in order to climb out of a hole, people need to hear the stories from those who have been stuck there, too. At its core, my work is about turning personal struggles into something meaningful, rainbows after a storm.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
For my eighth birthday I got to travel to the Hollywood Pantages Theatre to see “Wicked” for the first time. That show was so transformative for me. I ended up getting the original cast recording and played it on my CD alarm clock so that every morning I would start my day with “Good news! She’s dead!” If that doesn’t set the tone for my entire personality, I don’t know what does.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://spencersanders.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seeminglyspencer/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaCXhuC7YEiYlsWfQ66wFug
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@seeminglyspencer
