Spencer Coyle on What Music Means to Him and Collaborating with Drax Project
Recently, I got the chance to get in contact with up-and-coming Kiwi artist, Spencer Coyle to talk all things collaborating with Drax Project, his EP in the works and about the tour he is currently on with Mitch James. Photo: Provided by Sony Music NZ.
Spencer Coyle is a name that if you don’t know right now, you will know within the next week or two. Currently on tour with Mitch James, Spencer is on the way up with his catchy earworms in the form of music. Having recently released his newest offering, Castaway, with Drax Project, Spencer will have you hooked from the moment you listen to his music.
I sent some questions over for Spencer to answer, make sure to check out the below to find out more about this young, talented artist!
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Hey Spencer, thank you so much for coming on Welcome to the Gig! You’ve had some exciting things happening in your career recently such as releasing your latest track, Castaway, with Drax Project. Alongside quite a quirky video. How did the collab with Drax Project come about?
Spencer: I went to the studio one day and found out that I had a session with the Drax Project boys the next day. We wrote the song within a few hours of meeting. We all got quite attached to the song so finishing it was a given.
Castaway is this cool, calm, collected masterpiece that brings about these feelings of summer. Tell me about the process of bringing Castaway to life.
Spencer: At the start of the session, we all agreed we were going to write a summer song. I remember asking the boys what 3 things they would bring with them if they got stuck on a desert island. Somewhere in this conversation somebody bought up the castaway concept. We were all reflecting on the past few years with all the covid lockdown hysteria and felt like using the concept of “casting away” was a cool and unique fit.
Have you got any more future collabs with Drax Project in the works currently?
Spencer: Not currently. I am a huge Drax Project fan myself so I would love to collaborate with them more on future projects. All 4 of the boys are such incredible musicians and they have their recording process so engrained and on point.
I’ve read that you grew up inspired by the likes of Justin Bieber and others. Which of Justin’s songs inspired you the most and were there any elements that you took from his music and incorporated into your own?
Spencer: I have been a big fan of Justin since I was about 6 years old. I remember going to watch his movie “Never Say Never” with my cousin and leaving the theatre so inspired and since then all I have ever wanted to be is a musician. Obviously, there is no doubt he is a great musician with a truckload of hits but I think for me I mostly looked up to him as a fellow young male singer. Being a male pop singer in New Zealand surrounded by a culture of tall poppy syndrome wasn’t always easy but I could always look up to Justin as somebody who defied the odds.
You’re currently on tour with Mitch James for his Long Road Home tour. How are you finding that? Have you got any highlights so far?
Spencer: The tour has been an absolute dream so far. I've been a big fan of Mitch and his work for about 6 years now so it has felt so full circle to be sharing the stage with him every night. I’d say the biggest highlight so far has been the Dunedin show. It is hard to describe the feeling of hearing a crowd of people singing along with you and absolute strangers knowing all the words to your songs.
A capture from the Castaway shoot. Photo: provided by Sony Music NZ.
What was your reaction when you found out you were going on tour with Mitch?
Spencer: It was kind of hard to believe at first because as I mentioned I've been a massive Mitch fan for many years. It still feels very surreal stepping out on that stage.
What does the value of music mean to you?
Spencer: I honestly have no idea what I'd do without music. I'm either listening to or making music from the minute I wake up to the minute I go to sleep. From a very young age, music has been pretty much my only interest and passion. So, to answer that question plain and simple, music means everything to me.
For those who have the luxury of getting to see you on tour, what can audiences expect?
Spencer: Audiences can expect an intimate and acoustic set of original music, both released and unreleased as well as a cover or two.
What emotions do you hope to evoke with your music?
Spencer: Honestly, I just hope that my music can resonate with people. As an artist, there is nothing better than audiences creating memories to your music.
What’s the next step in your quickly evolving career?
Spencer: I am currently sitting on an EP which is set to come out in the very near future. A definite next step is just to play as many live shows as possible and hopefully have the ability to start playing headline shows and growing my audience.
Thank you so much for your time, Spencer! I appreciate that you have a busy schedule and am excited to see what your next project is. Do you have anything further to add?
Spencer: Thank you for having me. I’m very much looking forward to seeing what the future has in store for me.
Follow along with Spencer below: