Spencer Graham is a 25-year-old from a small town called Clearfield, Pennsylvania. Playing guitar and singing since he was 8, music has been his pride and joy. Spencer Graham moved from his small town to Charleston and continued to chase his dream and love of music. His first single, “Some Songs,” captured what his young life is like away from home and expresses how moving music is. Very influenced by country artists that he grew up on, Spencer Graham is a mix of the old and the new country music styles. More to come as he develops and grows as an artist.
With “BLACK” out now, we took some time to hear from Spencer Graham. Read below to learn more about Spencer Graham, the story behind “BLACK,” and what’s to come.
Hi Spencer Graham! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?
This is just my name.
What city are you from, and where are you based now?
I was born in raised in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. I played my first couple gigs and released my first two singles in Charleston, South Carolina, but currently I am in Central Pennsylvania at Penn State University.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
I realized in high school that I loved to sing. It took my music teacher senior year and a few really good friends of mine to actually convince me to do more than just sing in my bedroom. I got out of my comfort zone and started singing at open mic nights senior year, I joined choir, show choir, and even a musical to practice and learn as much as possible. When I graduated and moved to Charleston, I was able to meet Alan Price, an incredible musician and producer, who took me under and helped me make my first two singles. This really lit the fire for me.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
Authentic. I think early on I was really focused on sounding a certain way, but as I have grown and really considered why I make music, I have found my sound that is true to me. I don’t want any two songs to sound the same, and try to just write from where my heart is. I work with some pretty incredible musicians that have different backgrounds. I think there are hints of bluegrass or folk that come from the people I record with, but it is very effortless. The sound really changes with the story being told or the emotions trying to be communicated.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
I love being outdoors, whether that is taking the boat out or playing golf – whatever I can do to just be outside. I love wakeboarding, snowboarding, anything excited and physical. One of the biggest ways that I stay creative is by staying in touch with myself through my alone time, but having a healthy balance of social life. You can learn so much from people, learn so many new perspectives that I think as a songwriter it is my job to connect and understand people. I have been able to write songs from other people’s point of view and you only see that by really listening to people.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
Zach Bryan early on was just because of his songwriting and uniqueness. Nowadays, I really admire Muscadine Bloodline and how they seem to be able to blend genres while sounding so authentically country. I have a hard time explaining their sound, but they are very authentic, and in my opinion, two of the best songwriters doing it right now. Ed Sheeran is a big reason why I started playing guitar and singing in the first place. His voice is my favorite, and he is another just musical genius.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
I would say when I played the song for my late mother titled “Reasons to Smile” at a rehearsal dinner for a wedding. I was asked to play it and after understanding the emotional weight of that moment, and missing loved ones at these huge moments of your life, it really moved me and changed my perspective on my own career in music. I wrote that song for myself for all the most selfish reasons. I missed my mom – I was sad, I was overwhelmed, I needed a song to help me get through, and I thought it was just for me. After realizing other’s may have needed that song, or it could at least help them, or let them know they aren’t alone that meant everything to me. I love music because it can express things you didn’t know how to. Truly a special moment, and I have never been more grateful to get the chance to do what I do than that day with them.
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
No one is going to do it for you. I am very fortunate to have the support that I do – I have the most incredible family and friends in the world, but at the end of the day, no one is going to do this for me. I have to schedule my own gigs, learn my own setlists, get better and get out of my own comfort zone. I know I always have people behind me, but anything that I want to achieve, I have to put the work in for.
Now onto your release, “BLACK.” What inspired this song? What is “BLACK” about?
I wrote “BLACK” in 2022 when I was away from home. I think at the time I just remember being really exhausted emotionally. I think it’s really easy to fall into the trap of being pessimistic about love and writing it off. I was guilty of this and honestly writing this song felt like an admission of that. I think sometimes you just have to be honest with yourself in order to get to a happier place mentally.
What was the inspiration behind the cover artwork for “BLACK?”
I have had a theme since my debut album, Reasons to Smile, of having this kind of paint brushed mark type of art. “BLACK” was a bit on the nose, but I wanted to keep it within the theme. I do plan on changing this for 2026.
What was the creative process like when making “BLACK?”
Much like most of the music that I make, my friend and producer (and co-writer for “BLACK”) Adam Bell really leads the vision. I had brought him a verse and chorus, and he really saw the rest. The solo, the build ups, the second verse were all ideas of his that made the song. You mix that in with the incredible work that Megan McGary did on fiddle, Jonah Bell did on guitar, and Jason Sopic did on bass, you have a truly great song. I am proud to have the people around me that I do because they really make the song what it is.
How long did it take to complete “BLACK?”
It is hard to say for sure, it was technically first started in 2022, and released in 2025, but there was a huge gap where it was not touched.
What is your favorite lyric in “BLACK” and why?
“Best parts of me never seem to last, and I may never be the same” This to me was the most relatable two lines of the song. This is that negative thought process that I think a lot of us have after love doesn’t work out and why it can be so hard to leave something and move on. But, through time, this almost never is true and people grow from experiences.
What message or messages do you hope fans take away from “BLACK” and your music in general?
It is important to feel every emotion. Whether it’s a breakup or losing someone that you love or just being unhappy in general, you have to feel your way through it all. This song more than anything is a reminder that you gotta stop feeling sorry for yourself and move on eventually.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
I am currently working on some pretty special stuff for 2026 that I do not want to give away, but I truly believe that we will be expanded outside of the state and focusing on a lot more original music. Next year will be our biggest year yet in all areas.
Where can we follow you on social media?
Instagram, TikTok, Facebook are the main ones I use. All of which you can find at my website: spencergrahammusic.com.
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
