Spectral latest single, “Home,” Its strong piano introduction immediately captivates the listener. Surrounded by the artist’s powerful vocals, we knew this song was destined to be an instant hit. Spectra wastes no time, candidly expressing her physical and emotional pain through lyrics such as “You know I’m wasted, I’m unconscious, nothing to hold on to.” The infectious rock beat adds emotional depth , propels the track forward, punctuated by charming guitar fills and drops. Spectra’s voices and instruments blend seamlessly, creating a harmonious, almost symbiotic musical duo that climbs higher and higher, creating a truly cathartic moment. The lyrics convey Spectra’s raw emotion, a passion that compels listeners to dance along and sing in unison. The song reaches an even bigger climax at the end with the addition of synth keyboards and dramatic drum fills. We learn that this powerful song was written 12 years ago, which makes its recent release even more exciting. Kudos to the engineers for crafting such a clean, impactful mix and master that truly does justice to Spectra’s powerful sound. Explore the artist’s Spotify profile and you’ll find that his musical styles range from R&B to gritty rock, so fans are guaranteed not to be disappointed. Stream, share and add “Home” to your playlists now.
We caught up with this exciting emerging artist spectrumfor “cage” music blog, Talk about music and learn more about music.
When did you start making music? Can you tell fans something they might not know about you that you think is important in understanding why you make music?
-I started playing piano through private lessons when I was about 10 years old. I also took voice lessons and participated in various choir and drama classes in elementary, middle and high school. About two years after graduation I really started putting music out into the world. I’ve been writing my own songs since I was a kid, but it wasn’t until 2014 that I actually released any songs. So when I was doing it, I kind of thought, hey, this is cool, people like what they hear, I’m going to keep doing this. I compose and compose music not only because it is my passion, but because it is also a universal element in art that brings people together. I write so that people can relate to something so that people can hear it and say, wow, I really resonate with this. I also put a lot into my performing arts and acting in general because everything is intertwined: music, songs, art, acting, sets, everything. I do this for them (the fans).
What first sparked the passion for making music?
-Honestly, that’s when I started singing and playing piano at the same time. That’s when I realized maybe this is what I can show the world. Piano was my first instrument, then vocals, and when I started listening to pop music, it all came together. When I was younger, I was really into Gaga and I remember hearing one of her acoustic piano versions of Poker Face. I immediately picked up the music and sang along, and from there I started doing all these different covers and eventually started writing originals that way.
Can you tell us a little bit about your songwriting process and where the inspiration for this latest project came from?
-For me, the songwriting process is very different for almost every song, at least right now. Sometimes it will start with a simple hum of the melody, sometimes it will start with the piano playing various chord progressions. I also write a lot of poems and songs, and it’s the same thing. “Home” started with lyrics and melody, and then I added piano. I actually wrote this song 12 years ago, when I was 18, and I put it aside for a long time. This has always been a special song to me because it comes from a very personal place in my life; I share vulnerable experiences and lyricism. I think a lot of people can relate to this. Ultimately, “Home” is about finding yourself in the trauma of life and creating your own space for yourself in the world and at home.
From the initial idea to the final recording, what was the most challenging part of bringing this project to life?
The most challenging part was mixing. Chris (Herrera) and I had been friends for a while and I decided to let him listen to a rough mix I had done with Tyre Ford (Park Street Recording Studios) to see if he would be interested in collaborating. I remember when I first showed him the song, he said it had a bit of an old-school 90s feel to it and that I reminded him of early No Doubt. We have been working on this project ever since. We actually drove each other crazy the whole way through it – I mean, I didn’t even know if we could finish it. I’m very picky about mixing, especially vocals, guitars and strings. We clashed a lot during the mixing process, which was the challenging part. But in the end we did something that we were both proud of. We joke now that we drove each other back and forth like crazy. It’s worth it.
What is your biggest motivation for creating your music?
-Fans. family. support. feelings. mood. My endless thoughts. When I play a set, people come up to me and say hey, this is very different from what we usually see and I like it – it makes me work harder. I like to be different.
What part of the music-making process is the most stressful, i.e. writing, actual release dates, etc.?
-For me, the most stressful thing is production. What else can I add? What would make this better? What makes this POP possible? I have a lot of thoughts running through my head. I’m also very strict with myself; I’m learning to relax. I’m always asking for third and fourth opinions here and there, getting other producers involved, and sometimes it can get confusing. Really, I’m still learning, still in the nascent stages of my career, and really just trying to figure out how everything works!
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
-Social media. It changes everything. It’s very difficult to go from being a regular musician to a streaming service to having a reliance on an online following and presence. When you see so many artists becoming popular and launching these huge careers, it’s because of social media. I do realize how necessary it is and the importance it plays as an artist, but I also feel too much pressure to perform on social media and keep pushing content – it’s exhausting. 20 years ago, we didn’t have such pressure. But times are changing and we must keep up!
What instrument do you play? Which one do you like best?
-Piano/keys and vocals. I started on piano and soon after started on vocals. Sometimes I think piano is more effective than vocals. But my favorite is singing.
Please tell us about your last performance. Where was the show held and what was your experience?
-I just played Lolla at my favorite gay bar, Charlie’s Chicago. I did two acoustic cover songs. In fact, Charlie’s Bar is the only gay bar on the street with live performances by original musicians. The time there is always so wonderful. The gay scene is truly where I feel most at home. Everyone sang along and everyone was so supportive of me becoming who I wanted to be. My fellow LGBTQ artists and musicians have been so openly welcoming to me over the years, and I can’t thank them enough.
Have you ever had a moment where you emotionally felt like “I can’t do this anymore”? Can you tell us why this happened and how you found the strength to continue?
-Oh, all the time. Many, many times. I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs in my career. Got through a lot of lows and I decided it wasn’t worth it anymore. One has to constantly express oneself, keep one’s voice and body in shape, keep one’s skills up to date, and stay connected with the ever-changing music scene. It’s a lot of pressure!
What advice would you give to your younger self?
-Keep your head up, put yourself first, and follow your gut because you are who you are and your presence in the universe matters.
What’s your favorite cover song?
-Now I really like This Love by Maroon5.
If you could be on any late night talk show, which one would you choose? Based on your current life, what are the topics discussed?
-Jimmy Fallon. He is very smart. I love watching his interviews. Discussion Topic: Who is Spectra? Why is she here? What role does she play in today’s world?
Check out the latest releases and listen to more spectrum on Spotify and YouTube.
