INTERVIEW | ALEX SPENCER by Isobel O’Mahony
Alex Spencer is on the rise to become another star out of the music whirlpool that is Manchester. With a clear passion for his work, true talent and an incredible head of hair, he’s already on track to make big waves in the alt indie scene. I sat down with Alex to discuss the new single ‘Wake Me Up‘ and talk about his already impressive career.
Despite me talking to Alex only a few days after his 18th birthday, he’s had buckets of experience from busking on the streets of Manchester from the age of 13. Alex has even played the dream for at least half of Manchester, playing his music and a few covers to Man City fans at the Etihad on 22 February.
“When there’s a game that there’s a lot to play for, the crowd turns up. It’s mega, and it’s been a great part of my music. They asked me to play a couple of tunes, before the game started when the players walked in… and then at halftime, they played wake me up, my song, which was kinda cool too.”
Speaking about his summery, upbeat, indie dream tune ‘Wake Me Up‘, Alex said it’s a “head bop” and one that certainly “gets stuck”.
“From ‘Wake Me Up’ and with the next couple of tunes I’m about to release, I’ve taken everything to the next level, sonically sounding like getting better, more maturing, and finding my sound. I’m excited; you’re in for a treat.”
But maturing and finding your sound as a young artist can sometimes present challenges, a small fish in a very large pond with a bunch of larger fish. Whilst most aspiring artists are likely to be sat in their room, trying to learn the chords to Wonderwall at 16 years old, Alex was signing his first record deal.
“I remember them saying to me, we say wait till you’re a little bit older and the industry will start taking you seriously, that’s when everything will start to happen.”
Sometimes however, the ‘wunderkind’ image does help propel an artist (seen lately with Tom A Smith) and show the industry that according to talent, age is just a number.
Alex says, “In a way, age was on my side – I don’t know if I’d be here if I didn’t do this young. When I was busking, people would see me because I was just a little sweet little kid on the street. They’d support me, and it’s an interesting part of someone’s journey.”
Not shy about his amazing achievements, Alex shares: “I’ve done well for the last two years to get where I’ve gotten to at such a young age” – highlights include the major headstart with the track ‘Nightmares‘ (a healthy indie banger with a great twist discussed later) on the FIFA25 soundtrack.
Unbeknownst to some, the FIFA game soundtrack has launched some huge (and slightly random) names into our playlists: Catfish and the Bottlemen, The Kooks and more recently Yard Act. A good following before soundtracking your terrible corners and frustrating stats, FIFA opened them up to a whole new audience – and this prospect seems to have left Alex a little speechless.
“I got FIFA, and that was just like my biggest ever accomplishment. And it’s just now, I’ve done it. What’s next?”
When most people discover a new song they like, put it on repeat or maybe even look for concerts to see it live – Alex decided that he’d instead go for the gold and basically take someone’s job.
“I remember hearing Sam Fender’s Play God in the early days of music, and I was like, how could I do that, how can I make that happen? That’s now a big dream of mine. Then it happened, and I was just over the moon because all my mates are all big football lads, we love our sport, we love our FIFA, and it was just crazy.”
“I mean, the first time I heard the song on the game, I was at my mate’s house. We were playing a game, don’t know who it was, it was a stupid one, like, Grimsby or, Rochdale, you name it. When the song came on and all the lads got up, we were singing it, it was mega.”
“It’s opened me to markets and fans all around the world. Not just UK, not just Europe, flipping South America, Africa, Australia. You know what I mean?”
‘Nightmares‘ is not football specific and it is also set to be featured in the BBC’s coverage of Six Nations. Alex said it’s nice to see people picking up on the sound, and helps to face the reality of reinvesting royalties back into the work, the music industry famously not being the cheapest of games to play.
“It’s expensive, it’s not cheap at all, and I’ve realized that. So I’ve just crafted everything that I do kinda like, I might get a profit, but I’ll end up spending it on a new guitar or to pay any cost, new equipment or petrol or the tour van.”
“I think since I first started making money in my busking days, because I’d do well when I was 12, busking on the streets. Y’know people feel sorry, young kid, throw a bit of money. So that money, I saved up every penny of it. I thank myself because now we do less private gigs now, it’s more the bigger gigs, and they don’t pay as well, which is mad – but you’re getting that exposure, and that’s great.”
“There is so much money in music and it just goes to the silly people, to the big people, people who aren’t putting the work in necessarily, but a lot of people are.”
Alex clearly has a good head on his shoulders when it comes to money, which he calls “the biggest part of the music industry”, but puts it down not only to his savvy but the people around him. He said, “I’ve got a good team around me, my management, my family, my live agent, and they’re all helping me.”
Alex’s family certainly brings an interesting element to his music; a surprising Spanish twist on that good old rock and roll. With Alex’s mum being spanish, he loves the idea of incorporating that side of his life into his passion – ‘Nightmares‘ even having a full verse in spanish.
“I think to be successful in any industry, you’ve gotta be doing something different that no one’s doing. And in this indie, pop, rock scene in the UK at the minute, I don’t feel there’s many people doing that.”
“When I was writing Nightmares I brought it to my producer, and we were like, do you think we could let’s try and change up – nobody’s doing this at the minute.”
Constantly thinking ahead of the curve and two steps ahead, Alex is mentally already there. Speaking on his upcoming April tour, he is especially excited for Leeds and Newcastle crowds and of course Manchester.
“I got asked the other day if I’m more excited or more nervous but I’d say I’m super excited because it’s such a treat going, playing your tour, playing in cities that you never even step foot in, and seeing the crowds energy.”
“Leeds are amazing. Manchester, a big headline show, nearly sold out. That’s gonna go through the roof – I can’t wait.”
So, after all this, why should crowds flock to see Alex Spencer? What would seal the deal? Alex said, “Because they’re gonna have the time of their life. I don’t just play shows, I put on a show.”
“People are gonna come in and have good times, smiles on their faces, expect energy, expect jumping about and you’ll leave chanting the songs saying , I cannot wait for the next one.”
The future looks bright for Alex Spencer, with dreams of playing more festivals, more radio-play and Europe. He’s a grafter, and most importantly loves what he does. He doesn’t want to stop developing his sound, his tech and simply “releasing bangers”. You can catch him darting up and down the country in April, or at a few festivals including the stellar Warrington party that is Neighbourhood Festival.
In his own words, “Be ready for what’s to come. It’s gonna be exciting, so be ready.”
Featured image by Kyle Roczniak
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