After a 10-year hustle, musician Spencer Sutherland was finally able to relish in his debut album era — better yet known as the In His Mania era.
Released in March, the indie-pop singer embarked on a nationwide North American tour during Q1 and has since expanded the album with a deluxe edition. Following his fun collaboration with Meghan Trainor, “Chicken Little,” Sutherland has since brought new life to “Everybody” and “Strange Feeling” with JESSIA and gnash respectively.
Some may say the 17-track release is a lovely way to close this chapter of Sutherland’s year. However, the start of a new era could be sooner than we expect as the 31-year-old has already started mapping out future material.
In an interview with EUPHORIA., Sutherland reflects on the past year, the success of In His Mania, his influences, and what’s next.
Photo: pressAfter releasing music for the past decade, you finally released your debut album, In His Mania, earlier this year. How did that moment feel?
It felt unbelievable! It’s really a big moment to release your debut album and it has to feel RIGHT. It took me nearly a decade to get there, but we did!
How have you felt about the reception of the album so far?
It’s incredible, ESPECIALLY LIVE. I put the album out 6 days before I left for tour and everyone sang EVERY word. That really blew my mind.
Was there any song on the album that you found most challenging to write and why?
It all flowed pretty naturally actually. This album represents me arriving at my sound and my message, and when I listened to myself and stopped trying to write “hits,” it all came out authentic to who I am.
You embarked on a tour throughout March and April. Were there any songs you found fans were more responsive to?
If I could live on that tour for the rest of my life, I would. I think “Everybody” and “B!tch” were the most responsive, although it seemed they sang EVERY word to EVERY song!
Photo: pressYou teamed up with Meghan Trainor to release “Chicken Little.” How did the opportunity to collaborate with Meghan come around and how was the experience?
Meghan was introduced to my music through our mutual friend Arjan Timmermans, and she DM’d me on Instagram. I think I went over to her house a few days later, and before I knew it, she was on the song! I’m so lucky to have Meghan on the song, she’s a great artist and an even better person.
That song as well as some reimagined versions of “Everybody” and “Strange Feeling” with JESSIA and gnash respectively will feature on a deluxe version of your album. What made you want to put new life into these songs?
They are two of my favorite songs on the album. “Everybody” is performing really well, and I knew that such a powerhouse song needed a powerhouse vocalist. JESSIA is such a good friend of mine, and instantly said yes to jumping on! She adds so much energy to the song.
I’ve been a fan of gnash for like 7 years, so to have him on this intricate and heartbreaking song is so cool. He is SUCH a pro at adding so much emotion to records and does just that.
Your sense of style is influenced by Elvis Presley. Musically, however, who has heavily impacted your sound?
So many people! All of the 70s rock — Elton, Bowie, Stones, and also the Motown stuff — Temptations, Stevie, Marvin Gaye. It’s such a melting pot of rock, soul and pop.
Photo: pressYou competed on The X Factor in the UK in 2017 and made it to the live shows. What was something you took away from that experience that has really stuck with you?
That feels like a different life! It taught me that I HAD NO IDEA who I was at the time. It really made me step away and think about why I was doing this, and what it meant. Thank God for that experience.
You are very active on social media, especially TikTok, where you have over a million followers. What is it about that platform in particular that you enjoy sharing so much on?
I love how you can find new fans! The algorithm is made for sharing and getting in front of new people, and I’m so lucky that many people want to share my stuff!
The year is coming to an end. What’s next for Spencer Sutherland?
Spencer is locked in the studio currently, working on his sophomore album. Working HARD, may I add. Touring, new music, new PRODUCTS. ALL OF THE ABOVE!