James Spencer On the Making Of “If”
What inspired you to write the lyrics/music for "If?"
I think everyone has that fear of rejection. Whether that’s on the initial stage of asking someone else out on a date or at that later stage when you’re trying to decide whether you’re an item or not. It’s an emotion I think anyone who has ever loved has experienced and for that reason, I think it’s a song people can really relate to. It’s certainly an emotion I remember vividly from when I was younger. A few of people have asked me who it’s for, or if it is for anyone in particular and I suppose the answer to that is both ‘yes’ and ‘no’. The best way to phrase it is that it was written for and about a memory.
Were there any memorable or standout moments during the recording sessions for "If?"
“If” was recorded when I was recording my second album ‘Lucky Man’. I often perform my music with a 5 piece folk-rock band called ‘James Spencer & The Wreckers’ and the band was amazing coming into the studio to get various parts of what I’d written recorded. We usually built the songs up on top of my friend and producer Steve Tanton’s drum part but “If” was different. As one of the quieter songs on the album, it was stripped back compared to some of the other tracks and built entirely around the guitar part I laid down. This meant that the guitar part had to be completely bomb-proof as there was nowhere to hide. I dread to think of how many times I had to play it until I got a take I was happy with! Once the guitar part was finalised we were able to start building the rest of the song. My friend Rebecca Balzani Barrow is the only one of ‘The Wreckers’ to feature on the track and she came and recorded that gorgeous violin part complemented by my friend Emma Collingham on the cello. That was a couple of great days but the stand-out moment was getting Abbe Martin to add her vocals to the song. She performs in a duo called ‘Sound Of The Sirens’ and we’d shared a few festival bills in the past. I knew she was an awesome vocalist but didn’t know her too well before I asked her to feature on the song. As soon as she started singing in the studio I knew I asked the perfect person to collaborate with. Hearing the way our voices were blending the first time she started recording her vocal part was a spine-tingling moment. We also got on really well so it not only did I end up with an amazing vocal part, I gained a friend too. It’s always great to see her whenever our musical paths cross!
Can you describe the emotions or feelings you hope "If" evokes in listeners?
I had hoped the song would provoke nostalgia and appreciation for their partner in couples who have been together for some time and perhaps just appreciation in younger couples. To be honest, I’ve been surprised by the reaction a lot of men have had to the song so far. I expected the ladies to enjoy it because in the past, the women in my fan base seemed more attracted to my previous love songs than the men but I think a lot of guys have really connected with it. I think that perhaps that is because societally men (when it comes to opposite-sex relationships) are largely still expected to be the one who asks the question and as a result, they are more often one to face that potential rejection this song is addressing. It’s a feeling guys in particular have to get comfortable with because rejection happens more than we’d care to admit.
Can you share a bit about your musical background and the journey that led you to where you are today?
If you’re new to my work the main point or theme of my music is a desire to tell stories. Tales of my life, the lives of those around me, of love, loss and folk-lore. I tend to write songs comprised of folk and country infused rock. I draw on traditional acoustic sounds and combine them with pop/punk/rock rhythms. “If” is one of my slower more pop orientated songs but if you look into my back catalogue you will find a wide array of folk based music ranging from energetic, raucous foot stomping tracks to quiet and emotive ballads.
I grew up in North Devon in the UK near a small town called Barnstaple and I think it is fair to say that we in the West Country have closer musical ties to the Irish and Scottish than pretty much anywhere else in England. We are part of what is sometimes called the ‘Celtic fringe’ of the UK and a result the folk influence from those cultures runs proudly throughout my music.
I began my musical journey performing with my friend in a duo called Bicycle Repair Man back in 2015 playing covers in bars all around Devon and we still play a significant number of gigs under that name. In 2019, after 4 years playing on the local music scene I decided it was time to release my first album ‘Shine The Light.’ My second album, ‘Lucky Man’ is being released as a series of singles on streaming platforms to help me grow and “If” is the 7th song released from the album. If you want to catch me live I often perform my music solo, as a duo, a trio or with my full band ‘The Wreckers’ as well as my covers gigs as ‘Bicycle Repair Man’.
Can you share a standout moment from one of your live performances that you'll never forget?
The first time people start singing your own words back at you is special for each and every song it happens with. I’m fortunate that it has happened with a few of my songs over the years but last year I released a track called “My Hand & My Heart” and it’s a song that means an awful lot to me personally. I had a slot on a festival with the ‘Wreckers’ a couple of months after the track release and when we hit that final chorus everyone was singing it back at us. It made all the hairs on my neck and my arms stand up. I won’t be forgetting it any time soon.